Nick Hickman – Friends

By starrymag | July 26, 2024

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) Honestly, it’s me. That is the one thing I pride myself on. We have asked so many people, “Hey what do you think this sounds like?” And they all say they can’t think of anything. So very proud of that.

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) Brooks and Dunn, Travis Tritt, Toby Keith, Justin Timberlake, Boys Like Girls

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Friends.”

A) It’s a song we can all relate to. We all have that one friend who is a wildcard that you have to keep tabs on. I am that friend in our group, so thought it only fitting to write it.

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) The fact that we all know someone like that. Every group of friends, every family, they all have that one person that is likely to get drunk and do dumb shit. So, we can all relate.

Q) The video was shot in Nashville and produced by Jordan Dziekan. How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) We tried to follow the song to a T! The video is basically bringing to life the actual song.

Q) “Friends” was written by you and Jeff Glasscock. What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) It varies honestly. Sometimes I will already have the melody and the hook and just add chords. Sometimes we will play something and think this is cool, let’s write to that. We do writer retreats, just the two of us, two to three times a year in Gatlinburg. Jeff and I go up there for a few days and just write freely. I am from that area, so being in the mountains and in nature is peaceful and freaking to me.

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) All of it. I own a studio in Nashville. We write, produce, engineer/record ourselves. From start to finish what you hear is all us.

Q) With “Trying to Live” and “Friends” out is this a prelude to an EP or full album?

A) Yes, one more single will come out in July and then a full length ten song record will come out in August. I release a full record every year.

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) I love Wisconsin and upstate New York, mainly because they have been good to me, and it was some of the first shows I ever played. It’s cool to see your following grow in those areas over the years.

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) Luke Combs

Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

A) Parker McCollum, Cody Johnson, Riley Green and Luke Combs. I love em all because I connect with their lyrics and lifestyles. They don’t put out that same song over and over.

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) It’s the world we live in now or days. I don’t always love social media but adapt or die. I am thankful that it gives me an opportunity to reach new people that I may not have otherwise, but also social media hates me. I never get love on anything.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) I love you more than you know. For all the rock bottom lows, you make journey worth continuing. I couldn’t be more thankful that people take time out of their days to listen to me or spend money to come to a show. There are thousands of artists out there and you choose to listen to me. For that I am beyond grateful and indebted.