Rising Stars: Meet Nick Adams of Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Adams

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?
My love for music started with singing when I was really young. I was a fan of Pop and R&B artists like Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men, and I remember wanting to be able to sing like them. Around age 12 I got heavily into Pop Punk bands like Blink 182 and Green Day which led me to an interest in drums. For the next 2 years I taught myself how to play on pillows and by air drumming. I worked for a summer with my Dad when I was 14 and saved enough money for a drum kit. I knew then that I would play drums for the rest of my life.

After high school I floundered between 2 different colleges before committing to a music school in LA. I had played a few small shows with my band up to that point, and didn’t know anything about being a working musician. The music business felt huge and intimidating. I only knew that someday I would regret not pursuing music as a career if I didn’t try.

After music school I started gigging locally. It became clear that the music business was all about relationships so I was taking any work I could get. Some was paid, some wasn’t and it was all in an effort to build relationships and get my name out there.

My first touring gig came in 2012 with an artist named David Cook. Every experience on that gig was a first for me, it was all new and super exciting. I’ve been fortunate to stay consistently busy since then, and now do a combination of touring with various artists, and remote recording from my studio in North Hollywood.

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?
The more time I spend in the music business the more clear it becomes that almost no one’s road is completely smooth. Like any freelancer I’ve experienced gaps in work, gigs falling through last minute, a global pandemic, and many other unideal circumstances. Though those experiences can be tough I can safely say they’ve made me stronger and more resilient, and have allowed me to navigate any present struggles with much more ease and confidence.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I do an almost equal combination of touring and recording, both of which are fulfilling in very different ways. Most of my tracking is done from my personal studio which is my happy place. I’ve built it to support a workflow that I like, and it’s where most of my creative satisfaction comes from. I love working with people and bringing their ideas to life while also lending my creative input. On the other end of the spectrum I have always loved traveling and touring has allowed me to experience parts of the world I wouldn’t have otherwise. I love the energy of playing live and the pressure of having to perform a show perfectly every night is exhilarating.

I like to think I’m known for the sonic signature I bring to people’s music. We’re all just an amalgamation of our influences, and I try to stay curious and spend time creating my own versions of sounds that inspire me. I believe that’s how a person develops their own voice and style. I’m proud of my accomplishments but I think I’m more proud of my studio. It feels like a truly creative space and it’s been a very gradual build to get it there.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Risk has been inherently necessary for me to stay on the path I’ve always envisioned for myself. I’ve been at a crossroads many times where my gut is telling me that the “smartest” option is not the right one, and I’ve had to trust that, and know I would ultimately be ok. Those decisions aren’t easy but I wouldn’t have progressed to this point had I not trusted my instinct. It’s a constant weighing of risk vs security, and I’ve learned that it’s ok, and even essential, to be in the unknown sometimes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nickadamsdrums.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickadamsdrums
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@nickadamsdrums?lang=en