nico davis Announces New Music & Talks More About His Style

Intro:

nico davis is a talented artist and producer based out of Sewell, New Jersey. He recently dropped the exciting new song “margarita” & is releasing another new single titled “Fake the Funk” next Friday. He released his first EP earlier this year while attending Rowan University & received tons of love from fans. Additionally, nico does all the production & writing himself using instruments such as piano, keyboard, guitar, bass & the SP404 from Roland. Before reading our full conversation below, you can follow nico davis on Instagram & Twitter @realnicodavis.

Meet: nico davis

Me: How did you initially start getting into music & the industry?

nico: I've been singing and playing keys for as long as I could remember, after I saw Elton John on the Muppet Show when I was 8. I remember in high school I started watching videos of my favorite artists making music in the studio, and got a copy of Propellerhead's Reason when I was 16, moving on to Logic not long after. I taught myself guitar when I was 17, and I just started picking up bass.

How would you describe your style of music over the years?

It's so hard describing my own style but I would say it lands in that Lofi, alternative R&B kind of lane. I try to be versatile as an artist and producer so I'm not stuck with one sound. As a producer, I've done hip-hop tracks, indie pop, R&B, and even metal. I kind of go through phases of what I'm inspired by. Right now I'm listening to a lot of indie rock and soul, but when I made my first EP I listened to a lot of classic hip hop. I think my sound has absolutely changed so much from when I started, but it's kind of refining my sound to what I listen for in my head. The technical knowledge and instrumentation are only to serve the purpose of the song. At the end of the day what I care about is, "Would this be something I listen to?"

Nice! Do you remember the first song you've ever made? What was that one like compared to your new releases like “margarita”?

My first ever release was crossyourmind which I released on Bandcamp in April, but the first song I wrote was back in 2018 at this music camp in New York that I attended. I was so nervous when I performed that I flubbed the lyrics. Then about 200-300 more half-baked demos later on a hard drive I can't find anymore and a few more upgrades to my equipment, I started feeling more confident to put out my music into the world. I'm working on a re-recording of Cross Your Mind for Spotify as a single because I think that song has a lot of potential to be a hit.

Who are some of your favorite artists & producers to work with when you’re creating?

I'm just gonna rattle off as many names as I can so bear with me. I produced an EP recently with Yung Dread da Prophet (@yddpofficial on Instagram) and Maticulous Matt (@maticulousmatt on Instagram) called Childhood Snacks that was an absolute blast to produce. My buddy Isen (@crownvelvett on Instagram) and I have some stuff in the works, he's got some co-production on some tracks I'm working on and I helped mix his new single. I did like 4 or 5 tracks with Chris Baldarrago (@cbaldarragomusic) of him just absolutely nailing every guitar part I threw at him (he's got parts on both Cherry and Margarita, and he's shown me little tone tricks I use all the time in my playing and production now).

Brian McCarthy (Brian.jo.97) is my right-hand man on the engineering end of things, he's done the mastering for all my singles from Cherry onward. On the visual side, I gotta give shoutouts to Sara Grunblatt (@sara.grunblatt on IG, she did the artwork for Cherry), Brian Spagna (non.photo.blew on Instagram, did the art for my first EP head in the clouds), and Lynni (@redbrags on IG, did the art for my next single)

Also, who are some artists you would like to work with from your area?

Be prepared for more name-rattling! This is kinda cheating because I already worked with them on the EP, but I'd love to work more with Max Volante (@volante.max on Instagram) and Wiseboy Jeremy (@wiseboyjeremy on Instagram). He used to make music under the name Funkavel, but Newalias (@newalias.0 on Instagram)from Neptune NJ is also great, just gotta make time to record together. I'd like to produce something for Kiaura Rose (@Kiaurarose) and Ant Saunders (@antksaunders), they're great, definitely in that indie pop territory.

The work that Indigo Mak (@indigomak on Instagram) did on her last album is incredible, would love to work with her more. I used to play keys for her live and we've jammed a little bit. I'm always up for a good challenge when collaborating, and working with others is my favorite part of the process. Not necessarily in my area, but Emmy Adelle (@emmyyadelle) is incredible, great voice, and one of the sweetest and most supportive people I know, hopefully we'll put together some heat.

That’s exciting! Additionally, are your friends & family supportive of your career?

Absolutely. I'm sure my friends and family would be clamoring for a cut of royalties based on how often I send them my tracks for feedback. Very critical part of the process for me. My parents have supported me from the beginning, they went to see shows nobody else went to of mine, and they bought me my first piano and guitar and paid for my lessons. I send my voice teacher demos every now and then to get her input on my recordings.

It sounds like you have a great support system! Furthermore, how did your stage name originate from your family?

my real name is Nicolas but I've gone by nico pretty much my whole life. I don't see any reason to change my name haha.

What are some other talents & hobbies outside of music that some may not know about you?

I like to draw a lot, before I got into music I wanted to be an animator. At work, I do little sketches a lot. One day I wanna get into fashion design.

And, what does a world without music look like in your imagination?

Just a bunch of grey blobs like the one Fairly Oddparents episode.

Any future plans for your career?

I have a new single coming next Friday, Fake the Funk. I'll be doing a few shows in the NJ/Philly area sometime soon. My plan is to keep putting out singles every month to capitalize on the momentum.

Is there any advice you would give to someone who is thinking about getting into music?

Not everything is gonna work, but every failure leads you one step closer to success. Take every small win as they come and keep pushing. Every small thing you start now will build towards the future. Keep your people around you and let them know how much they mean to you. The main thing is to just be consistent and be patient. Rome wasn't built in a day. I'm still well ahead of where I wanna be yet, but this is what I've learned so far. I'm confident that I'll get there even if it may not be for a bit. As the kids say "delulu is the solulu"

And finally, how would you describe your music in one word to someone who's never listened before?

Swag.

Any last words for the people? I know you have that new single coming soon & it sounds exciting!

Producing a track with Dream Mode (@dreammodemusic) that'll be coming out at either the end of this month or in September. Working on some beats for this R&B singer Sedona (@sedonasworld) from California, if you like my stuff you'll love theirs. Stay tuned.