An Interview With Nicky Aiken
A new single release coming from Nicky Aiken brings on a high energy and radio friendly pop rock banger that packs a healthy punch and enough character to leave a mark.
"Hallelujah" is soiree of textures and rock tones that come at you in a flurry of distortion and lively vocals that churn out more hooks than you may be able to handle.
The tones are both garage fuzz toned and crisp classic rock and it's all laid out with such a heartfelt passion.
This track thrives and in a very short time you gain that energy yourself. You soak it in because it's so damn infectious you can't help it. You feel good.
This track has a way of taking you along with it and really letting it get your blood pumping.
The cathiness is incredible and it comes inthe form of musical and vocal hooks left and right.
It's the kind of song that makes you feel like jumping around the living room and singing along at the top of your lungs.
Guitars wail, drums rock, and the singing is just addictive. the whole thing is really.
The song sounds like something you'd hear in a film while a group of friends are driving to a vacation island. Top down, sun out, summer time.
The track is endless fun and has a way of really sticking with you for days on end.
With the release of "Hallelujah" coming on the 2st, we wanted to have a chat with Nicky Aiken to talk about where this track came from and what else may be coming.
Here's what happened.
TSWS: Okay so let's start with "Hallelujah". This single has a great pop rock style with some swagger to it! Where did this track come from?
A: I initially booked 3 days recording Sessions and I had an idea for the 3rd Single which would have been okay, but no song. While working on that I came up with “I found a Sound That’ll move ya, Sing Hallelujah”. Then I came up with the Riff, but I sang the Riff into my phone as I was out and about and not a guitar in sight – that became the opening “Done in Done In Done in, Da da da da” which I kept in the song. Sounded weird when I took it out while recording it, little boring. The rest of the song came easily, boring old day job and social media trying to tell the next generation what to like, buy, wear, fuck you name it… sometimes we need to just cut away from all that and do whatever the fuck makes YOU happy. We’re individuals, no shame in not being the same as everyone else. This is something I think of when I write my music.
TSWS: I'm hearing some great styles on this release. Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
A: Firstly, my dad – who can’t hold a note or play an instrument Haha. He is a huge music fan and he would always say, “Have you heard this?” or “Listen to this” which has started since I was old enough to scratch all his vinyl (Sorry dad). Mostly 70 Prog Rock but every so often, soul, country… he’d mix it up and then sort of sent me down the patch to discover my own taste. I'd say Springsteen, Black Keys, 70’s Soul music ( the Brass sections as a Guitar riff – its all I’ll say) Rod Stewart to name a few.
TSWS: So how did this all begin for you really? When did you fall in love with making music?
A: I’ve been a fan of music since a very young age. But I only began really making music once I got my first Drum set in the early 90’s. My folks bought a Cheap kit at a Car boot sale and once I suitably destroyed that, they got me my first REAL drum kit for Christmas. I played the Shit out of that and immediately started a band with my neighbour who played Guitar. He’d leave the Guitar at my house some nights, and I’d try my hardest to play it. Trying to play Nirvana songs, and then later No Doubts “Don’t Speak” to try and impress a girl who liked to sing it
TSWS: What's next for you as an artist?
A: Album. I recorded my first album all on my own in my house. With little to no experience with Logic & HOW to record, I gave it a bash. This time I plan to release something special. I’m booked up in the studio until February and I’ll be recording little bits at my new home studio and the main bits like Drums etc in Edinburgh. I have a name for it and already have the songs, so it's just a case of getting them to sound as they are in my head.
TSWS: What inspires you to write a song?
A: Almost anything. The Guitar Riff Usually comes when I’m not at home, or have a guitar. My phone is FULL of me humming and saying DA DA when it comes. I need to be free and clear of a desk to really find the space to think. Then it usually comes to me, hard to explain. The main thing that makes it easy to write about is things I have going on. I can channel that and drop subtle hints as to what and who it's about.
TSWS: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?
A: Doing my day job and being a Father & Husband. I also do long distance running, and I’m doing a mountain marathon at Glen Coe when this track comes out!
TSWS: Who are you listening to right now?
A: Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Gary Clarke Jr and a 70’s Soul Playlist I found on Spotify, and 90's Hip Hop!
TSWS: Are you doing live performances?
A: At the moment I’m still trying to build an audience, so nothing is booked yet. I’ve been lucky in that I’ve played some HUGE Sold out shows as the opening act, and I’m hoping to pick up a few more. I might play my own show soon, we’ll see.
TSWS: This single seems like a big undertaking. What kind of advice might you have for other up and coming artists out there?
A: If you’re going to make music, do it for yourself before you think of how others will like it. Nothing worse than listening to something years later going “Why the Fuck did I try that, I didn’t even like that” if the Audience likes it that’s a huge bonus, but do it for you first.
TSWS: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
A: Since going back to being a solo artist, the support has been incredible. It keeps me going, even at this age. Thank you!!