Nico Stai is a remarkable artist based out of Los Angeles, California. His voice is energetic and beautiful while simultaneously haunting in songs like āMaybe Maybeā and āThe King Asideā. Growing up in Spain, Nico has a unique sound that challenges the traditional pop/alt rock formula and is infused with the indie rock flavor of a West Coast artist. Redefining what qualifies as āgoodā indie music, Nicoās sound is perfect when married with lyrics that move, inspire, and intrigue his audience.Whether playing with his band or performing solo, the resulting music is raw and real, capturing the heart of the stories he tells through song. His most recent hit, ā3000 Dollar Girlā highlights Nicoās ability to masterfully communicate and understand human emotion through his art. The more upbeat, āMiss Friday,ā reflects Nicoās drive to overcome and succeed in life. Another fan favorite, āScreamā features a skilled mariachi band, throwing another twist on the already diverse listening experience.
I recently had the good fortune of interviewing Nico. It was a light-hearted phone conversation that, after a few dropped calls, offered insight to how Nico has gotten where he is and shed light on where this Indie rocker is headed. Here are some highlights:
Emma: Where does the inspiration for your songs come from?
Nico: I donāt give it that much thought as to where itās coming from- itās just always there. I am constantly writing songs, itās all one big f*cking mess (laughs) I donāt go āokay Iām going to write a song about something, now here it is.ā I just write a lot, I write a lot of poetry and short story stuff. My songs are a quick snippet of two or three different poems. If there are two characters in a song, there might be another song there for the other character to share from a different view point. An example of that would be āLike Alcoholā and āHole The Size Ofā
E: What are your thoughts on the LA music scene?
N: There is some great stuff happening here. There are some great bands and acts and it changes a lot. The music industry is very close to the skin here so itās a very different experience. If youāre doing well in this city then youāre very soon to be under the microscope. And thatās not always a good thing but having said so, it also gives it a different edge. Itās good for the arts to be able to simmer in their own sauce.
E: When did you begin playing music?
N: Iāve been playing music pretty much my whole life. I started when I was a teenager, making my own stuff from the get go. When I first got a guitar, the first thing I did was write a little melody. I didnāt even know how to tune the thing. I wasnāt interested in learning everyone elseās shit (laughs). I just wanted to do my own thing.
E: What inspired you to make your own music? What is music to you?
N: For me it was a frustration of hearing things with the scene or hearing things I didnāt like. I wanted to make something that makes you feel good and if I donāt hear something the way I want it then Iām going to do it the way I want to. A lot of the time, it is just self-medicating. You use music because it makes you feel better. The greatest thing about art is that you can create this thing for yourself and if it cures you then it can cure other people too. If you create something thatās going to help you then you put it out there to the universe, to the world and other people can apply it to themselves too. Thatās the line I try to hold to when Iām thinking music. āIs this really moving me or not?ā If I listen many times and it feels like itās moving me then I go with it until it stops and then I stop and I do something else that moves me.
E: Do you listen to your own music or do you have to just walk away from it?
N: Once Iāve finished something, I do kind of walk away because you never really finish a work of art. You just have to walk from it otherwise it will never end. Once itās mastered, I stay away. I was listening to Park Place the other day, for the first time in years, and I really dug it. Itās funny because at the time I didnāt have much appreciation for it but now I like it.
E: So whatās next for you?
N: Iām working on a lot of new material – stuff is coming out next year. How it will look, Iām not sure but thereās a lot of new songs and Iām excited about getting it all out there. Itās not going to be self-released anymore and thereās probably over two full length works of material right now. I might just do an acoustic thing and then do another one at the same time.
E: What can we expect for future tours?
N: Iāve done some one-off shows in New York and South By Southwest but otherwise just small California stuff. So, Iām hoping to see a more full-blown thing next year, we want to get this orchestrated and get the music to everyone.
E: Who are the artists that inspire you? Who do you look up to?
N: Growing up, as a very young kid, my dad used to listen to a lot of Elvis Presley and I was four or five years old so that was some of the first stuff that made me really think music was just magical. I wanted all things Elvis, books about him, and everything. Later on I was into stuff like The Cure, Robert Smith was a big influence, Bruce Springsteen. Current personas that I admire and like are people like Jack White. I really like how he does things and the legacy that he has put in place. I am also a big Oasis fan- especially the early stuff.
E: Of all of the music you have created, what is your favorite song?
N: I think probably this new song called āTop of The Worldā. But then I also think āMiss Fridayā might be my favorite. Itās my favorite to play, an all encompassing song. The words and melody all combine really well. Writing āMiss Fridayā was a very quick thing. I woke up one morning and it was just there. 10 or 15 minutes and it was something that was just close to my heart.
Having grilled Nico for answers as to how he does what he does, why he does what he does, and other insights to the heart and soul of his indie rock mind, he didnāt miss the opportunity to turn the tables on me. āWhat song of mine is your favorite?ā He asked. After thinking for a moment I responded: āCan I pick three?ā Nico allowed me that and I revealed that my three favorite Nico Stai songs are as follows:
1. Miss Friday
2. The Skies Over Your Head
3. 12 Thousand Years
With four albums complete, and another in the works, Nico is well on his way to owning the success that he deserves. The truth is, Nico Stai is an amazing talent who has come a long way and will go as far as he desires. As his career continues, Nico Stai is one mariachi band toting indie rock artist that will certainly remain on our radar.
I randomly came upon one of Nico Stai’s performance at Spaceland in Silver Lake, Ca. Earlier in the day I was on the phone with a friend who lives in Hollywood saying I would like to go hear some music and heard this place in Silver Lake was a good bet and I would like to go check it out. We went that evening and to my surprise I heard the best music from an L.A. band in a very long time!!~ NICO STAI
As I am a photographer and my eyes just needed a break from shooting it was one of those evenings I left my main camera at home ( which will never happen again) I regretted not having my Canon 5D Mark 11 on hand. Luckily! I had a small camera Canon G10 and captured a few images of Nico shinning bright as a ROCK N ROLL STAR in the making! Nico is captivating and one can sense a real down to earth artist with a deep love of music resonates in his performance on every song. So worth experiencing!!! I am thrilled things are going in the direction it is for him. Well DESERVED!! : D