Today we’d like to introduce you to Krista Nicolas.
Krista, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My love for music started when I was just a kid. My mom and dad had me when they were just teenagers. Heavy into the Seventh Day Adventist religion, my dad hosted Friday night Sabbath with his band called “Friends.” I found myself in awe of all the instruments and the sounds they made. My dad and his cousins would sit for hours practicing songs and sing them for our family parties. I was in love with the harmonies and acapella versions of songs they would create. They probably don’t know this, but I was studying everything I could in those moments. Since then, I have always wanted to be around music. It serves a sense of “home” to me. My dad always had a musical ear, he taught me enough chords to create my own music. That was something that came to me naturally. That’s around the time singing and songwriting started for me. I began to understand the emotions behind lyrics and the undeniable feelings that danced with melodies. I was never good at expressing my feelings because I didn’t know how and finally there was a way to communicate everything I could not put into just words. Songwriting and singing became a form of therapy for me then and now as I grow older. It’s helped me through life.
I met my co-writer and one of my best friends, Dean Dichoso while looking for a place to record a demo. It was a very dark time for me. My cozy home had fallen apart and I lost the support of my dad to a drug addiction. It was a perfect time to be writing with Dean. We formed a band named Dead End Amelia quickly after we met. He taught me how to play the electric guitar and taught me how to use my voice in a powerful way. The older brother I thought I would never have taught me how to enjoy a good glass of whiskey and yelled at me constantly to wear my guitar lower than my arms could reach. LOL. I learned from bands like the Deftones, A Perfect Circle, and Karnivool and easily got inspired. I learned how to express a piece of me into this aggressive genre while dealing with life’s indifferences. We played for a few years and still make music today. Eventually, I ventured on a solo project. I wanted to incorporate everything that I already loved with everything that I have learned with my band. I had always known that I wanted to represent the LGBTQ community. I wanted to give back to the communities what music has given to me. Support, love, kindness and a reason to rock your face off on those days when you need it the most.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has most definitely NOT been a smooth road! And I say that lightly and laughing because IT HAS BEEN REAL Y’ALL! In my lifetime, I have been to very dark places. But those places don’t exist without a counterbalance. There is beauty in all of our struggles. It defines who we are. It makes us stronger to take on anything. I know I sound like a self-help book. But so what. I love those books. AND I can honestly say, I love who I am because I’ve learned to own who I am.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am singer/songwriter NIX formerly known as Krista Lee of Dead End Amelia. I am known for throwing everything into my hooks and anything that pulls on my heart. I write songs about breakups, love, friendships and everything that you could possibly feel as a human being. I am so proud of my latest EP entitled, “The Shift.” I allowed myself to just let go on this EP without self-criticism or judgments and found a refreshing way to emulate my weird ideas and explore a cool experimental way of expressing myself and finding who I am as an alt-pop artist.
I have a few things coming up that I am extremely excited about! In mid-April, I will be apart of the first music showcase at this awesome event in Las Vegas called @ClexaCon. It is an annual fan convention focused on female members of the LGBTQ community. So dope! AND in May I will be joining forces with some friends of mine who run @CrownandBrim which is a family-owned local hat business in DTLA. Together, we are going to help raise money for a good cause with music, art, drinks and good company. Check for updates on IG and come hang, it will be a beautiful time 😉
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love that our city is so diverse and open. I love that I keep discovering new places every day. It’s such a fun city when you surround yourself with good-hearted people. Everyone is connected on some level of understanding even though we come from all walks of life.
But mostly, I love tacos. There are so many TACOS…
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @nixsounds
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nixsoundsofficial/?modal=admin_todo_tour
Image Credit:
Stephanie Drutman
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
