What are your names?Dylan, Nate, and Nikki (Guitar, Drums, and Singer).
What is the story behind the band name?
The name is kind of an inside joke between the three of us. We figured that this band was the closest any of us will get to actually being married, so we named it “Nikki’s Wives”. It also plays up the dynamic we have on stage of Nikki as the groom in black, and Dylan and Nate in all white.
How would you describe your genre of music?
We usually describe it as alternative pop, but we like to take influences from a lot of different genres. We like to write pop songs and then make them cool and unique with production.
How did you meet each other?
At the time, Dylan was helping Nikki out with her solo project. They needed a drummer for one show so Dylan called up Nate to help out. After the first show we realized we had this great connection on stage. So we decided shortly after to become a real band.
Nikki, you’ve been making music since you were 12– what made you get started?
I’ve always wanted to be a singer, even when I was like 4 years old. So, when I got the opportunity to play in a band I loved the idea of getting to sing in front of people. I totally fell in love with performing and have been doing it ever since.
Are you signed?
We’re independent right now. We like the freedom that is gives us to be creative and find ourselves as a band. We’ve talked with some labels in the US, and in the near future will be looking more into that.
Your debut EP ‘For E-V-E-R’ was recently released. Tell us more about it.
For this EP we didn’t really give ourselves much time to write it. We locked ourselves in Dylan’s basement for 10 days, and wrote 8 songs for the record. The catch was that it was the dead of winter, and the heating was out. It was a completely collaborative process, where we all brought ideas to the table for each song – it worked out pretty much to a song a day on average.
Describe each track in three words. All the tracks are great but I do have to admit I have Fight Song on repeat.
Forever – Bitches ain’t shit
Lonely Being Cool – I’m very lonely
Fight Song – Fight for yourself
Another Lie – Happy Wife, Happy Life (that’s 4 words, but who’s counting)
Fantasize – Sending mixed messages
Ghost – Melancholy but hopeful
You recently wrapped up a tour with CeeLo Green. What was your reaction when you got asked to do it?
We got told about this tour in the strangest way possible. So basically someone we were working with at the time sent us this cryptic email with only one sentence in the subject line, “How would u like to be direct support for CeeLo green?” The message was so strange that we all thought it was a joke or something. So when we found out that the tour was real we were stoked.
Has CeeLo given you any advice? If so, what?
CeeLo basically just told us to never stop learning and growing as musicians. Because you always have mistakes to make and grow from, and new experiences to learn from.
You guys like your fashion. Who is your favourite designer?
My favourite designer is Saint Laurent. As a band we take a lot of inspiration from their refined yet grungy look, and I personally take a lot of inspiration from their clean-cut suits. It would be so dope to eventually have a Saint Laurent suit one day.
Who would you like to collaborate with in the fashion industry?
I think that it would be really cool to work with brands that are just starting to make waves and have the two of us grow together.
What would be your dream TV show to have your music played on?
I think we would all die of excitement if South Park did a parody episode involving our music. I would keep a copy of that episode with me everywhere.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In 5 years we want to be the biggest band in the world. So who knows where we’ll actually in in 5 years, but for right now, that’s the plan!
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
We don’t really do anything else. I think Dylan and Nate play video games, and I have an addiction to online shopping.
Where would be your dream venue to play in your hometown?
It would obviously be amazing to play the big arena in Toronto, either the Rogers Centre or the ACC. But, it would also be so cool and surreal to play an historic venue like Massey Hall.
For anyone visiting Canada, where would you recommend them to go?
You get off a plane in your hometown:
1. Where is the first place you visit?
Go down to Queen Street West. There are tons of great restaurants, cafes, and shopping. It’s the coolest part of Toronto by far.
2. Where is the first place you see?
You would probably see the CN Tower first. Its one of the tallest building in the world so its kinda hard to miss.
3. What is the first food place you go to and what do you get?
Go to Grand Electric on Queen Street W. It’s this tiny little restaurant so you have to go pretty early to get a spot, but they make the best tacos in Toronto by far.
If you could collaborate with one UK Artist or Band who would it be?
Florence Welch from Florence and the Machine is one of my biggest inspirations as a vocalist. She knows her voice so well and can control it to do whatever she wants. Working with her would be such a life changing experience, so that’s for sure my answer.
If you could collaborate with one US Artist or Band who would it be?
When we were in LA earlier this summer we met this up and coming producer, Stephen Rezza. He showed us a couple of his tracks and we really dug what he did with chopping up pre-existing vocals and arranging them to make new parts in the song. Since his style is more electronic, it would be cool to see how it meshed with our style of music.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
You can find us everywhere by searching @NikkisWives or by checking out our website www.nikkiswives.com.