Niki Black speaks her mind
Interview conducted March 20, 2020
by Dan Locke
Sometimes, music is only as unique as the artist. So it’s no wonder that Indie Pop singer/songwriter, Niki Black, has a sound that is truly special. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Niki is Iranian-American, with influences that represent her mixed heritage. Her father, a Chicago native, introduced her to the blues and American classics, while her mother filled the house with the sounds of Iran – from classical music to Iranian pop legend, Googoosh.
You were influenced by your father (Chicago Blues and America Classics) and your mother (classical music to Iranian legends). How has this influence helped create your musical abilities?
The influences of these very different musical styles have instilled this eternal sense of inspiration and excitement. Persian music goes back thousands of years and the poetry will always be thrilling and limitless and how much I can discover with it so it’s like I’m always able to find new inspiration for music. As for being influenced from my father listening to Chicago Blues and American classics, I’m able to tune into that American heart and understanding of music, which I want to ultimately intertwine with my Persian roots in a meaningful synthesis.
Have you had the chance to check out any Chicago Blues clubs?
I haven’t been to Chicago itself since I was 13 and at that time since it was illegal, but I did see Spring Awakening musical which was the greatest joy of my adolescent hormonal existence. Living in Paris now, there’s a multitude of jazz clubs and I definitely think most of the musicians inspired by Chicago Blues, maybe that counts!
Your debut album is entitled “Lilith”. Did you ever have the chance to see Lilith Fair?
I wish and I hope it revives soon. however, my best friend who was an amazing artist, KMO, played the Lilith Fair, so I would like to just mention that in extreme pride and in correlation!! Unfortunately, we didn’t know each other when she performed, but I think it’s a beautiful synchronicity!
You study taking piano at 13 and then you started to write songs with her daughter. What were the titles of some of the songs you wrote?
Actually, I started studying classical voice at 13 with Kay Montgomery at Colburn school! I started studying piano at four years old with Naira at my home. Kay Montgomery has a phenomenal daughter named Anna Montgomery who I also want to highly recommend to anyone who wants to take songwriting or pop vocal lessons! The first song I ever wrote with her was called “The Girl Next Door,” about my best friend who was my neighbor and the sadness of losing our friendship after her parents got divorced and she moved, I also remember one called “Nothing But Nice,” “Icarus on Fire,” and “Waiting for my Fairytale.” Ahhhh, the innocent and teenage inspiration is so special.
In college, you had a vocal group “Simply Vocale” What type of group was it?
I was seriously in the real-life version of Pitch Perfect. It was an all-femme acapella group.
As I understand you also had a band at Chapman University. And you released a song. What happened to that project?
I did belong to a beautifully inspired group that that was very socially conscious and radical in our lyrical and spiritual message – we were a trio blending together vocals spoken word and rap. The situation and timing just didn’t end up aligning for us, and things disbanded – at the time harshly, and even though I feel much more at peace with everything, I still have this desire and hope, realistic or not, that one day we can release the music and videos we worked on.
Tell me about the movie you wrote music for back in 2014? Would you like to do this again?
The movie is called Ask Me Anything! I would love to do this again especially because of my experience with, Allison Burnett the writer, and the amazingly compassionate producers as well. I am obsessed with meaningful films like that so of course, I would like to write music for a movie again but to be honest with you I am envisioning writing and being in a movie musical, a la Gaga in A Star Is Born or John Legend in La La Land. I’m just too dramatic I cannot hold it in anymore, I have this thespian blood in me.
Back in 2014, did you ever think you would be famous?
I hallucinated about being famous since I was a little girl. It’s hard to remember my exact mindset in 2014 about being famous but specifically, I remember the sensation of wanting it too much that it seemed out of reach and unrealistic, as I was getting insecure and impatient. I think in that time I was separate from that childlike belief in myself – where dreams of singing in stadiums and songs on the radio had no true opposition to physical reality, and the obstacles of achieving what I wanted did not exist! In 2014, I wanted success but was intimidated by the music industry, knowing I had to finish college instead of working on music in Los Angeles full time like other artists I knew (who by the way are now extremely famous!!). However, having my songs in Ask Me Anything in 2014 most definitely felt like a good omen of external validation that I was able to reassure myself that I was on the right path to getting the success I dreamed of.
Tell me the back story to your video “Not Coming UP”? I see many symbols with the video…
The story of “I’m Not Coming Up” is a personal one of being told my ex-girlfriend and I’s relationship was sinful and blasphemous from her mother. The symbols in the video have to do with Christian religious iconography because it’s the foundation of the song and the suffering that painted the experience. That is why we chose to set the majority of the video in the Sacre Coeur church, ironically in Prague, where I was living at the time even though I’m in Paris now where I just filmed a new video outside their Sacre Coeur! I also want to mention that we filmed a scene in the House of the Black Madonna. The Black Madonna is one of the most powerful divine feminine figures, found in pagan and Christian religions – who is symbolically associated with her divine healing powers, accepting outcasts, and feeling the pain of those who have been rejected from society’s values and love.
How was it to work with Daniel Huynh on Hallelujah?
Daniel is one of the most promising choreographers and artistic directors that Los Angeles has to offer right now. He is not only a sweetheart but an inspired genius with an extremely focused work ethic while still making me laugh like a lunatic. The vision that he has been able to bring to life for not only Hallelujah but every song on Lilith has been remarkable, I feel that he divinely channels movement and visual imagery, which I am so grateful to share and evolve the music from just a sonic experience to one that resonates somatically and visually too. Daniel actually just came to Paris to artistically direct and choreograph visuals for the rest of the Lilith album alongside Val Vega, who shot and edited it!! I’m happy to report that we have MUCH more magic to come.
If you ever got rich and famous, what cause would you fight for?
I know that I will be fighting for foster and homeless children and teenagers in this life of mine, whether or not I am rich and famous. In my heart, I really do feel that beyond just monetary help for this cause, I’ll be able to save up and open a physical place, a sanctuary to house kids and teenagers. I imagine that it would be focused on the concept of unconditional love and healing in all definitions of these words – supporting programs in developing artistic skills as well as career and education, while also healing through mental health and medical services. There are an incredible N.G.O and place like this called Safe Place for Youth in Venice Beach that I used to volunteer teaching songwriting that I must say has helped me actualize the beauty and reality of this cause.
What are you’re feeling about American Idol and shows like it?
I was glued to the TV watching American Idol when I was a kid and bawled when Jennifer Hudson was eliminated. I was also a very big Adam Lambert fan and am happy to report I saw him, front Queen, last fall, which was beyond incredible, as Queen is my favorite musical genius God group ever and he does justice to Freddie.
Any plans to tour in 2020?
I’m thinking of all tour of the album would be next year after it’s all released and I’m still writing my dissertation for my Masters this summer. I want to do shows as I live in Paris of course still and hit up London too, that would be easy for the fall!
Where / how do you see yourself in 5 years?
It’s more so asking myself how I will feel in five years rather than how I see myself. I’m going to assume the feeling of fulfillment, on a career and musical level but more in an honest understanding of knowing who I am.
Would you like to win a Grammy?
No. I’d like to win 15.
Anything in closing you like to say?
Well first, I’d like to thank you for this interview and chance to be my honest self which has Probably scared people into thinking I’m off the deep end. This is fine this is fine because I am but that’s also why I’m able to write these lyrics and songs. As the philosopher, Kanye West once declared, “name one genius who ain’tcrazy.”
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