Interview with NYIKO.
Interviewed by: Gohar Grigorian
Congrats on the new album! How long have you been working on this project?
Some of the songwriting dates back as far as 2014, but I started deciphering which demos would become an album at the end of 2018.
How is your experience releasing a project during a pandemic compared to your past releases?
In some ways it’s been better and easier. While there isn’t the option to have a big record release show, I’ve had a lot more time to focus on the rollout and promotion of the record. I also think since people are still stuck at home, they have more time to really sit and listen to a full album.
We know you also are part of a record label, Trailing Twelve. How is your experience owning your own label with working and recruiting other artists?
The label started out of necessity to legitimize my own releases but has since grown to be a fully fledged indie. It’s truly wild and I honestly never expected to have a roster this big. Over the years I’ve realized how much I love working with other artists and helping them grow. I don’t really recruit for the label as most of the artists have either been recommended to me or have reached out directly.
The retro synth-pop sound is getting very trendy lately in the past few years. Did you see a shift in streams since you began this project?
A lot of my influences are from nearly 30 years ago so I guess the trendiness of it never occurred to me, it’s just the music I’ve always enjoyed. There are certainly a lot of contemporary artists that share similar influences, but I try not to chase music trends because they move so quickly. If I hear a new production technique that inspires me, that’s great, but ultimately I’ve always just made what I like to listen to.
In terms of streams, I can’t say I’ve noticed any specific shift. What I can say is that it’s nearly impossible to predict which songs will take off. After you’ve been sitting with a song for so long, it’s exciting to see how it will resonate with people.
Honesty is a great body of work. Our favorites are the title track Honesty and Call The Boys. Which is your favorite and why?
Thanks for that. I love those two songs as well. Picking a favorite song on the record is kind of like picking a favorite child. I’m really proud of them all, otherwise they wouldn’t have made the cut! That said, I have a lot of fun singing “Like the Movies” and “Honesty.” In terms of content, I think “Call The Boys” is the most culturally significant and I’m proud of the message.
Finally, we love to showcase new up and coming artists. Who are you currently listening to and who else should we look out for?
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that the Trailing Twelve roster are my favorite up and coming artists. To name a few with recent releases - Derek Simpson, Gracie Gray, Evan Blum, and Duncan Pelletier. Outside of the label, I’m a big fan and big believer of Mini Trees, Yasmin Williams, Blushh, Stone Irr, and Sonoda.