Exclusive Interview with 'NICOLE THOMAS'

Nicole “Nic” Thomas is a Chicago-based songwriter and singer who enjoys all things easy listening and has a broad musical taste in a variety of genres. The Journal of Gospel Music described her first song with writing credit, “More Than Enough,” as a “gorgeous meditation on the transformative power of God’s love.” Her first vocal recording is “Baby Jesus.”
Nicole Thomas sings a chill-inducing song as a tribute to her hometown of Chicago with her smooth vocals. Listeners are transported to the picturesque Lake Shore Drive, where they can see Lake Michigan and take in the lively downtown. She sings about how much fun it is to get lost in the city and how satisfying it is to ride home on a long ride after a day of joyriding. Never wanting the carefree summertime to end is the theme of “Summer Love”. Check out the song and the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?

NICOLE THOMAS: I’m from Chicago. My musical journey started when I was about 9 years old playing flute and singing in choirs. I didn’t get started songwriting until about 6 years ago when a melody popped into my head and I decided to put some lyrics to it. It took a while before I started sharing my songs more widely. I didn’t even decide to become a singer/songwriter until just 2 years ago.

2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?

NICOLE THOMAS: I used to play the flute for many years so I can read music a little, but I didn’t do any songwriting training until last year (2021). My ability to write can be attributed to listening to a lot of different genres of music, reading songwriting books, attending a few songwriting camps and God-given talent.

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘NICOLE THOMAS’?

NICOLE THOMAS: My dad introduced me to a lot of 60’s artists that he grew up listening to – Motown and the Beach Boys and such. We’d ride in the car together and play the oldies station. When I started choosing my own music to listen to, I fell in love with soft rock. Like most kids who grew up on the 90’s I loved Whitney Houston. She had an amazing voice and I tried to emulate it, but honestly I could never belt like she could.

I go by my given name because I’m a pretty simple girl. No stage names needed.

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

NICOLE THOMAS: Listeners can expect great lyrics and catchy melodies. My style is pretty chill and not overly done. I’m a mix of Colbie Caillat meets Jack Jackson meets the band Chicago.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as RNB?
**NICOLE THOMAS**:
I listen to a lot of John Mayer and try to get a story across with the same effectiveness. His lyrics always cut deep for me. I typically write lullabies and even though they’re slow and peaceful, the stories are still colorful and warm. For my latest single “Summer Love,” I channeled the soft rock era that I love so much. My lane is easy listening. I always want to write music that’s easy on the ears and easy to sing along with.

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?

NICOLE THOMAS:

Some of the best songs are ones that define a movement. Think “Waiting on the World to Change” by John Mayer or “Someday We’ll All be Free” by Donnie Hathaway, but music can also be a place to forget about life! Summer Love is about joy riding in Chicago and never wanting the summer to end. There’s nothing deep about it, but it makes you feel carefree and there’s something to be said about that.

7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

NICOLE THOMAS:

Funny that you ask. I feel like every few months I ask myself “why are you doing this”. I came up with about 5 solid reasons to anchor me because it can be frustrating if you can’t answer that question. That’s why it’s important to write music that fulfills you. It gives me a great sense of pride to see the songs I’ve written out there for the world to hear.

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

NICOLE THOMAS:

My songs usually begin with a short melody that eventually becomes the chorus. I typically get a feel for a few words that I think go with the mood. I hum or sing it into my phone so that I don’t lose it and then I come back to it later – sometimes years later! I develop the melody and lyrics for the chorus before I write the melody and lyrics for the verses.

That’s my usual way, but I’ve also written songs that started as phrases from object writing exercises or have come up with a cool title first and started from there. I also do some toplining where an artist will have a musical track and a theme for the song, and they’ll ask me to develop the melody and lyrics. Having music to write to make things go a lot faster.

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

NICOLE THOMAS: I am extremely critical of my singing voice. Having grown up in Chicago, the birthplace of gospel music, I constantly measured myself against great gospel artists and heard incredible singing every Sunday in church. Gospel singers have powerful voices and can do all kinds of vocal acrobatics. That’s just not me. It’s been a journey accepting my softer sound and sometimes I still struggle with it. While I love to write gospel music for other artists, I’ve chosen to stick to more gentle songs for me.

10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

NICOLE THOMAS: I performed at my day job for Employee Appreciation Day this year and most of my colleagues didn’t know that I sing. I’m more of a home studio singer so it was a little nerve wrecking. It went better than expected. (And I sang a Whitney song!)

11. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?

NICOLE THOMAS: I always keep a core group of supportive family and friends in my corner to vent to and receive encouragement from. I also give myself social media breaks. Stepping away from it clears my head and helps me regain focus.

12. Creative work in a studio environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?

NICOLE THOMAS: Studio, studio, studio! I need fewer distractions and take two’s.

13. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?

NICOLE THOMAS: I like it when people interpret things in their own way. That means the song has transcended from my narrative to theirs. That’s powerful.