Today we’d like to introduce you to Nike Diaz.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Nike. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
I started writing at the age of ten and just kept on writing and writing until I started learning how to play guitar and turned my writings into songs. All my teenage years as a solo artist, a singer-songwriter playing/working in restaurants, bars, coffee places for years. I just kept on doing solo acts everywhere I could… But you feel lonely after a while. I felt the need of going through an experimental process, I was hearing more sounds in my head beside my guitar, a whole orchestra rumbling my ears.
About eight years ago the solo act became, still a singer-songwriter project but with a little help from my friends… I met Maryland (violinist) at a Beatles Open Mic and met Gabriel (Bassist) at a church. I invited them to play with me for a show, and we started playing every once in a while since then, always with different percussionists/drummers.
Three years ago, my friend Stephen (Drummer), joined the team and that’s when I can say the project as a band actually started. We began experimenting with different sounds, effects, rhythms, melodies, etc… That’s when I realized it wasn’t my solo project anymore. I write the songs, they give it life. Last year we had the honor to incorporate to the band a new member, Joe (Saxophone). So we’re five in total at the moment… Probably six very soon.
The band is called NICO by the way… For now. (I’d like to make a parenthesis here and explain my name. Lol. My name is Nike Diaz, but everyone calls me Nico or Nicolas or Niky. Back then, Facebook didn’t allow me to use my real name because it was a “brand name” so I had to use a different one. Funny story but truth. They used to call me Nicolas at work during that time, so I used that for my Facebook name until now.)
Great, 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?
I have two different feelings about this question:
Music wise I feel it has been a smooth road so far because we’re very organic and never try to force it. Personally, I enjoy making music, creating, coming out with lyrics, melodies that don’t exist yet, experimenting with new and old sounds… It’s just a never-ending pleasure.
In the other hand, it gets harder with the time because you start getting more responsibilities and it’s hard to focus on your passion when it doesn’t pay your bills… yet. There are many moments when I wake up and just want to quit and start a normal life. Strangers telling us how much they liked our show, are my biggest motivation.
NICO – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The project is called NICO, a band formed in Houston TX, initiated by singer-songwriter Nike Diaz from Monterrey Mexico. The band is an experiment of different sounds without losing their essence. A mix of cultures transformed into songs. Our genre; I call it, “Pop-Rock Trovero/Bluesjazzero Folk con aires de Bossa Cumbianchera.”
NICO is a band that simply wants to tell a different story in every song. Every song is like an individual album. We want you to get into every story and make it your own. To engage with what we have to say and maybe plant a small seed in your soul. We try to transmit conscience, positivity, but also a reminder of how imperfect we are.
As an individual, as Nike Diaz, I write a lot and read. I play guitar and sing. I make up stories by observing people interacting and just write my own version of their conversation/conflict/etc… and transform them into songs. Or sometimes a random melody pops into my head and I record it with my phone. The phone is a great tool for writers nowadays. I believe, even though I make up most of the stories, I relate them to my past or present unconsciously.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Our first single release last year! It’s called, “Te Fuiste A Marte.” (Translated to “You’ve gone To Mars) Something like that… You can find it on every digital platform. We recorded it at Wonky Power Records, and it’s been a great experience.
It’s been the proudest moment no doubt because it took me so long to finally decide to record it. I believe is a natural instinct from all artists, the “never been completely satisfied with the final result” feeling. But I got to a point that I had to let it be and just make decisions. Now we’re working on more songs to make an entire album. I’m not sure about what’s coming, but I’m excited. The unknown is like my dopamine.
My second proudest moment was definitely performing in Buenos Aires Argentina. It was a solo act, but the feeling of been so far away from home and doing what you love is an amazing feeling.
Contact Info:
- Email: elnicosounds@gmail.com
- Instagram: @elnicomusic
- Facebook: /elnicomusic
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Z3wPWNky03ZNjWy6NZBZi?si=0hGLwAU5Rje8IMSZyyoQAg
Image Credit:
Michael Villegas, Rock Latino Alternativo Houston, Jonathan Merchan, Delyse Braun, Alejandro (@titolikescats)
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