Today we’d like to introduce you to Claire Nichols.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up outside of Denver, Colorado! I’ve been writing songs for as long as I can remember but really started taking it seriously around age 14. I struggled with my mental health in high school and found an outlet in songwriting. After graduating, I moved to Norway to study at the Lillehammer Institute of Music Production and Industries to study songwriting with 48 other musicians from around the globe! It’s an incredible program and a bit of a social experiment. The school itself isn’t much more than 17 studios in a basement but it’s a creative pressure cooker. Finishing up the program in May, I released one song in Norwegian (“Alle Gutter”) which reached some TikTok virility, and another called “Aperol Spritz.” I then moved to Oslo in September where I spent time writing with different Norwegian Artists. I moved to Los Angeles at the beginning of January 2023 to continue my songwriting journey! I’ve since released a cathartic little breakup song called “Kicking and Screaming.”
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?
Pursuing your dreams is never really a “smooth road….” but without the struggles, I’m not sure I would be much of a songwriter at all. I’m a person who feels deeply, and as I’d previously discussed, I’ve struggled pretty significantly with mental health. Without sounding too melodramatic, I do believe that songwriting has saved my life. When I think back to the darkest points of my life, it’s always been a song that has pulled me out of that pain or numbness. When I’m able to really put a feeling down into a song, it almost feels like I can finally put that feeling away. One of my most recent releases, “Corners (Rain on me)” was one of those- I call them “book closers”- for me. I dealt with some bullying that really damaged my self-esteem but after I wrote that song, I was able to give myself the closure I would never get from the other person. I’m incredibly lucky to be able to provide that closure for myself and sometimes even for my listeners!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At my core, I’m a songwriter! More specifically, a lyricist. I specialize in confessional and honest songwriting both for myself and others. I feel like I have a unique ability to pull a real story out of any artist and translate it into a catchy little tune. The part of this industry that gives me joy is the creation. Personally, I don’t have an intrinsic need to perform or be the voice behind my own words. I think that the ability to separate myself from my work is one of my assets as a writer in the room. I think my focus on lyrics and storytelling always lifts a song to the next level!
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
One story that’s often cited by friends and family to define my character comes from my elementary school years! My fourth-grade teacher deemed me “Most likely to be running a small island (and have my entire class working for me).” Coming into my adulthood, those early behaviors that often earned me adjectives such as bossy, have manifested in that I am driven, dedicated, and precise. I’ve been dreaming big since I was little.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.clairenicholsmusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_clairenichols_/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEHRHLKaEbo
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/clairenicholsmusic
Image Credits
Tanja Melone, Fredrik Haslev Martinsen
