Conversations with Nicki Walters

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicki Walters.

Hi Nicki, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I’m originally from Illinois and came to Colorado in 2019 to pursue a major in songwriting at CU Denver. Growing up I was always drawn to the guitar. My first guitar was Wiggles themed and then advanced to the iconic First Act acoustic guitar. I was always singing and creating sounds. When I was 7 I received my first real electric guitar for Christmas, and from there everything just fell into place. I’ve been writing songs since the age of around 15 and have really found my sound while studying at CU Denver. My biggest influences are Bon Iver, Billie Eilish, James Blake, and other alternative folk artists.

I have grown to really open myself up to the world with my songwriting and tend to write about my own mental health struggles, being a queer individual, and really any minor inconveniences that are happening in my life at the time. I’m a big thinker and creating music is so therapeutic to me. It helps me get all my silly little thoughts out.

I am so grateful for where I’m at right now and the immense support I have from family and friends. I can’t wait to see what 2023 has in store!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. I’ve had a lot of high and low points in my career. My mental health was not doing too hot for a while last year and I actually didn’t pick up my guitar or write for about 2 months. During this time I was rethinking my whole life and if I wanted to do music/felt like I was even good enough. Luckily I got into therapy and started focusing on my needs, but it was a long slow road. The mentality is a huge thing I still struggle with and am working through every day.

The music industry is hard to be part of. It’s emotionally and physically draining at points, but I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else.

I really want to highlight my parents who are the MOST supportive people in the world. They are such loving and encouraging individuals and I am so grateful to have them in my life. I know without them I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have been obsessed with vocal processing for a while. I think autotune and vocoders are about the coolest thing ever. I have started to slowly incorporate those things into my recorded music as well as live performances. I got a TC Helicon Perform VE which gives me a variety of effects I can use and has a looper on it. I have added ‘Woods’ by Bon Iver into my repertoire, which is just a million vocal layers and is such a blast to play!

I think I am most proud of my recent two singles, “bored” and “crime scene.” Writing those songs was incredibly hard on me mentally and emotionally, but they felt like therapy sessions that needed to happen. I know it’s cheesy to say music is healing, but it really is.

My new EP ‘just for me’ will be out March 17th!

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
For me, networking has been the most influential and important part of my career.

The music scene in Denver is so diverse and everyone is so kind! Everyone just wants to support one another which I think is so beautiful. I feel so fortunate to be a part of it. Definitely go to artists’ shows and talk to people!

Create those relationships because you never know where they might go!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nickiwalters.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicki_walters/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Nicki-Walters-Music/100063898039374/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR_M56-HHOsg9yHsPOoOZaQ
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2lxSru4lmE6jlNU3sBeWS6?si=Y7ts495DTGKwJCD-drss8w

Image Credits
Peter Sandifer (@picsfrompeter)