Page 97 - ION Indie Magazine SeptOct 2019 Issue
P. 97
I have a soft spot in my heart for artists But, right from the get-go, Nikol
who do whatever it takes to accomplish surrounded herself with individuals who
their dreams. Now, I mean that within were willing to hit the road and drive to
reason and by utilizing full integrity. It Austin, TX and directly home after playing
takes a lot of courage to leave your a gig. Did I mention they live in North
comfort area and get out on the road as an Carolina? That is not exactly a hop, skip,
original independent act. Faced with the and a jump to Texas. The Warped Tour
unknown beyond familiar surroundings gig was in Charlotte, so obviously, a bit
can be daunting. It deters many young closer to home.
acts due to fear of failure and/or ridicule.
In the music business, bands need to be Nikol has had their share of success. Their
professional, confident, and strong in their first full-length release, “Bittersweet,”
approach. As a famous sweatshop landed them multiple licensing offers
megacorp would say, “Just Do It!” including “Keeping Up With the
Kardashians,” “The Real World,” and
There are many, many female-fronted WWE. They followed up the successful
rock bands that say their influences are full-length release with a five-song EP,
Evanescence, Paramore, and Flyleaf. But, “White Lies.” “White Lies” was produced
let’s be clear, my Reverbnation Featured by Drew Folk and Kile O’Dell (Upon a
Artist stated (early) Paramore. I jest. That Burning Body, Motionless in White, and
is not what makes this band stand out. It Crown the Empire). Presently, Nikol is
is obvious to me, their effort and hard work working on an upcoming release with Kile
is what sets them apart from thousands of O’Dell and Dan Korneff (Paramore,
other emerging indie bands. Allow me to Breaking Benjamin, and Pierce The Veil).
introduce you to the very talented and
determined rock band from Raleigh,
NC…Nikol. Nikol’s strong single “Fade Out” really
caught my attention. The video is very
The current lineup of Nikol features the entertaining and really captures the
strong presence and powerful vocals of essence of current societal ills; namely,
it’s namesake, Nikol. Rounding out the bullying. You can check it out here:
group is Michael Brantley (drums), Alex https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_iTG
Lopez (bass), and on guitars, Andrew F6OXyc
Matthews and Zach Giordano. They make
up a very talented team of musicians that To further expound on their previous
are willing to lay it all on the line. successes, Nikol has performed during
SXSW three times, Vans Warped Tour
Now, this lineup was a bit spoiled from the twice, and Nikol’s personal favorite,
start. Their very first two gigs included Inkcarceration Festival. Why is
SXSW and Vans Warped Tour. You read Inkcarceration her favorite? It is because
that right. Those aren’t exactly they treat artists as if they matter. They do
neighborhood bar gigs with which to warm the little things that show their
up. appreciation. I, personally, appreciate
that!
