Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Nicole.
Hi Alicia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m a singer, songwriter, and producer. I’ve always had a love for singing and once I learned how to play the piano that love grew immensely. Now I had the tools to start creating songs of my own, even though at seven they were more experimental. When I first started out, I would hide away in the piano room for hours and hours and just test out different sounds and notes and create melodies with my voice. This is where production starts to come into play but I wouldn’t realize it until years later when I started using GarageBand. It started out just as a fun creative outlet but once I started realizing what I could do I decided to invest in myself and learn another DAW, Ableton. This was around the first time I went to a recording studio. That day changed my life and I knew the studio was a place I wanted to be, it became my happy place. From that day on, I knew I had something special but my thirst to improve wasn’t satisfied. So I tested my luck and applied to Berklee College of Music and was accepted. Before that moment, I wasn’t sure where I wanted to take my music, but after becoming an electronic music production and sound design major, I knew creating compositions for movies or tv is what I want to do. Six years later and now I have music on all streaming services, I’ve played so many local shows, and I’m constantly working towards building my brand.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I wish I could tell you it’s been a smooth road and there was no struggles but sadly that’s not the case. In an industry where women represent less than a 1/3 of artists and only 3% are producers, there are bound to be some challenges. Now don’t get me wrong there are some amazing producers, engineers, and allies but every now and again, you deal with someone who doesn’t trust your vision or makes you feel uncomfortable. I’ve learned how to record and mix my vocals to my liking and have found myself frustrated during studio sessions when an engineer is unwilling to get out of his comfort zone and try things a different way. That however, is nothing compared to the unwanted advances or unprofessional messages. I hope in speaking about these issues doesn’t discourage women seeking to be a part of the industry but rather a tale of caution. There are so many great women musicians and allies looking forward to connecting with you and guiding you along the way.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Most of my supporters know me for my music as a singer but I’m an artist in more ways than one. Beyond the vocals, I am a producer and session musician. Singing is by far my speciality and something I’ve always loved to do, it comes naturally even though I work hard to master harmonies or expanding my range. Producing on the other hand is something I constantly have to work on because it’s an ever-growing field and there is so much to learn which is humbling. I would have to say learning the skills of producing, mixing, mastering, and sound design is what sets me apart and what I’m most proud of. Anyone can learn how to do these things but just because you have the same tools doesn’t mean you’ll create the exact same work of art. When I make music, I tend to blend together a fusion of sounds based off my inspirations which I’d like to think creates something unique.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something that might surprise people is that I love to draw and paint, I’m into photography and use my Nikon to capture lots of nature shots, and my newest venture is learning to code.
Contact Info:
- Email: moonmaidenmusic@gmail.com
- Website: https://beacons.ai/moonmaidenmusic
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alicianicolebaby/
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/alicianicolemer
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/alicia-nicole/1456808206
Image Credits
Paige Sierra Vanessa Silva