Get To Know: Nickarth
- by Adam Bailey
- in Featured
Rising artist Nickarth could be on the brink of something special with his growing popularity in the electronic music scene.
With recent rumours suggesting new material in the pipeline, plus the response and traction received on his latest Youtube videos, this ambient electronic artist is establishing himself further within the industry.
Spotlighting his talent with catchy, gritty, relatable bass-heavy electronic tracks which have quickly secured a place in his listeners playlists and hearts. The 23 years old artist's name stems from the mother EARTH as he sees himself as an EARTHLING. He has come to the realization that any separation by borders/religions/beliefs is definitely not supporting us as human beings.
“We are no worse, nor greater than anyone” - Nickarth
At only 23 years old he's managed to establish his own record label ''Aodion Records'' showcasing great music from genres such as Synth-Pop, Electronic, Easy-Listening, Alternative Pop with a contemporary twist, sensitive topics and great level of lyrical maturity.
Here are some questions which Nickarth has just answered:
1) For those who don’t know you and your music, tell us a little bit about yourself and where you’re from…
Nikola Iliev a.k.a as Nickarth.
I’m a 23 year old singer/producer/multi-instrumentalist. I love music, swimming and life.
I come from the Republic of Macedonia.
2) Describe your sound in five words…
Raw,gritty,relatable,catchy, bass-heavy.
3) Who inspired you to start a career in music?
Ohhh..
Actually, many people inspired me to do music, but I guess listening to Dennis Lloyd, Two Feet and Meduza really got me into songwriting and audio production stuff.
Also, I do need to mention my father, Zoran Iliev a.k.a Billy Esteban, (the CEO of Cafe De Anatolia) played a huge role in the early beginnings of my music career. He introduced me to some good artists & bands such as Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, Prince, Eagles...
4) Who are your biggest musical influences?
Biggest musical influences will definitely be Dennis Lloyd and Two Feet. I am keen and aspire to achieve as much as they did. My style and genre is really similar to theirs so I am glad I have someone to look up to.
We share the same stories and write similar music. I am thankful for that.
5) Tell us about the writing and recording process for your new upcoming album…
I never think about the final product. I go with the flow and do not rush at all.
If there is an emotion, I will write, if not, I will just create a beat or do a guitar jam. Mainstream music was never my goal. I don't think it is bad but I do think that it is less relatable and honest to the fans. Even though I do not have millions of streams, I have few ''die-hard'' (laughs) fans from Argentina, Spain, UK, Brasil waiting to hear my music.
I am also very thankful for that.
After all, I am doing music because of me. It is who I am.
6) When you are recording songs, how does the whole process of recording take place? Do you have a home studio?
Well, my primary job – the one that pays my bills - is as a mixing and mastering engineer for a few record labels and YouTube channels. So, yes, I do own a small home studio where I record most of my stuff, but, sometimes, I also record stuff into my friends studio.
As I said before, songwriting is easy for me, but I am keen to keep my main focus on the sound quality and audio production side of the track. I tend to get better with every new track.
7) What has been your biggest career highlight so far?
I think my biggest career highlight so far has been founding my own record label and rejecting a major record deal, hahaha.
Of course, I am really proud of myself as I established my own record label ''Aodion Records'' on 15 September 2019 as a sub label to Cafe De Anatolia.
Despite the fact that many artists do fail most of the time when they manage a record label by themselves, I’m keen to think bright and focus on my music and the music that Aodion distributes and publishes.
Every stream, view and fan is equally important to us. Growth takes time and experience.
8) What are you listening to right now? What's on your playlist?
At the moment I am working on my debut album, so my playlist is filled with the demos I am working on.
Here and then, you will find some tunes from the artists I mention before (Two Feet, Dennis Lloyd), but I also enjoy some afro tech-house, orient electronica downtempo DJ sets such as the ones from Rialians On Earth, Cafe De Anatolia, Depart, Gentleman, Billy Esteban....
However, I do love most of the stuff that's coming out of the alternative electronic scene atm.
** My top 3 tracks in the moment are:
Two Feet – Maria,
Dennis Lloyd – Nevermind,
Rialians On Earth – Inferno.
9) How many songs do you have now? Which one is your favorite and why?
I've never really thought about it. I bet, I have about 11-12 songs released from 2017 period till now. But that time, I was not quite sure what I was doing, and what was my thing.
Today, I am glad that I can say I finally found myself in the world of music and I know the sound I wanna create in.
''Every artist has its own authenticity. The moment he finds it, he finds himself'' – says Nickarth
My favorite song is part of my upcoming E.P. sequel – ACT -
It is the ACT I – Do you miss me?
This is a 808 bass-heavy unpredictable alt - electronic track blended with dreamy back vocals and edgy guitar riffs. The lyrics of the track is connected to the whole 4 part sequel – ACT – inspired from my last relationship. Raw, catchy, sad but sexy.
Here are the names of the tracks included in the – ACT – sequel:
ACT I – Do You Miss Me?
ACT II – Lie
ACT III – She Doesn't Give a F*ck
ACT IV – Mi Vida Loca
10) How do you keep yourself busy these days? How's quarantine treating you?
I feel better knowing that my friends are also home, bored. Recently I spent time watching many documentaries, TV series and sci-fi movies.
Finished production on 2-3 tracks and I still do my work shift as I work online.
Also I read a book about stoicism and started to exercise regularly.
Quarantine suits me, well for now.
Family is near and the food is great. Again!
11) When can we see you live?
Nowhere actually, hahhaha..
Of course, this is mainly because of the corona virus situation. Most of my shows in the UK and Europe have been postponed or cancelled.
I am fine with that. We really need to stay home and stop spreading the virus.
Alternatively, I do live-streaming on my Instagram or Facebook Page.
Make sure you find me there, I'll probably do a show there soon.
12) Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
Time flies and so do we....hahaha
I am really happy where I am now.
I just wish to stay creative and do what I do now. My biggest goal is to have 300 tracks released by then, and at least 1 million streams on one track.
Leaving legacy is not my goal. I want people to relate to my music.
That's all. :)
Find Nickarth on Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, YouTube.
Electronic Ambient
