SPOTLIGHT: NIC BILLINGTON

Slasher’ the new release from Nic is an ode to American Horror Story. ‘Slasher’ is about the desperate need for love and attention, even if it means putting yourself in harm’s way. When you know something is bad for you, but you do it anyway”. Slasher’ pays homage to the eerie charm of 80s and 90s horror cult movies, blending contemporary pop and vintage terror, putting a unique spin on Nic’s eclectic repertoire and affinity for darker things.

“In today’s world of social media and dating apps, a lot of us are constantly putting ourselves out there, seeking attention and validation. This track pokes fun at the whole pursuit of excitement from complete strangers – even though they could very well be a serial killer.”

For someone that is yet to discover Nic Billington, in 5 words how would you describe yourself?

Creative, passionate, hardworking, ambitious, encouraging.

What inspires you as an artist?

I'm inspired by all forms of art - From music and video to photography, dance and painting. Art is energy, and when you pour good energy into something, it has the power to resonate with others. So, I guess I'm drawn to anything that has a lot of passion in it.

What is your process for preparing to perform live? Do you have any diva demands?

Mentally, I get my head in the game about a week or two before a performance. As they say, practice makes perfect, so I go over my set as many times as possible. My biggest diva demand is just to have a bit of quiet time before going on stage.

Where do you feel you fit into the music landscape?

I naturally gravitate to making Pop music however, music transcends all barriers and that comes across in what I do. My style is a bit darker with a bit of an 80s edge. So, think Gaga meets Micheal Jackson.

What are your favourite musical genres, and are there any you dislike?

I have an appreciation for all music genres but Pop and Dance will always be my first love - I also love 90s R&B. I never really got into Jazz but that may change in the future.

What’s currently in the pipeline for 2024?

My sophomore album, "Dark Horse", launches in February so I'll be doing heaps of press, live shows and promotion for that. I really want to tour more of the UK and head to the US in 2024, so speaking that into existence. I also have some exciting business ventures in the pipeline too.

What would you say is your greatest strength as an artist?

My greatest strength is that I'm multifaceted. I write my own songs, I record and produce my own vocals, direct, edit and sometimes film my own music videos, photoshoots, marketing and social assets etc. I have a very specific vision for how I want things to look and sound and sometimes that best way to achieve that is to learn how to do it yourself.

What would you say is your greatest weakness as an artist?

It's a double-etched sword because when you're handling so many aspects of a project, you can really get into your head. On top of that, I'm a perfectionist so sometimes I'm literally on the verge of a meltdown. I think my biggest weakness is not being able to let go, or let others handle things - Yeah, having said it out loud, it definitely sounds like I have trust issues.

What can fans expect from your new album, Dark Horse?

You can expect some 80s synth, hypnotic baselines and emotive lyrics. It's dark, sexy and fun. This album really reflects the ebbs and flows of life. From dealing with imposter syndrome and low self esteem in "Without a Warning", losing someone very dear to me in "Goodbye", to being in love with "You Get Me High" and reaching a higher state of consciousness with "Dopamine".

What music artists would you say have influenced your work?

Growing up, I listened to artists like Madonna, Depeche Mode, Billy Idol, Prince and Duran Duran so the 80s sound is inherently present in my music today. I'm also heavily influenced by some of today's artists like: Billie Eilish, The Weeknd and Labrinth.

Who would you most like to collaborate with artistically?

There are so many people out there that I want to work with. Definitely Labrinth or Mike Shinoda. I love how unique and distinctive their sound is. More recently, I've been listening to Ben Böhmer and would love to do something truly epic with him.

What was your worst performance?

I don't particularly have one that comes to mind but in general, a performance where you're too in your head or self-critical is not a great performance. It should be free-flowing, effortless and enjoyable.

What was the most difficult obstacle you have ever faced and how did you overcome it?

Fear and self-doubt - It had been holding me back for the longest time. I did a very simple exercise to overcome it. I thought about what I really wanted and wrote out a list of all the things that were stopping me from achieving it. Then I acknowledged that all those things were just limiting beliefs and insecurities from years of conditioning.

What is your creative process when making music? Do you work with others or is there just you?

When coming up with melodies or lyrics, it's normally very erratic. I'll be driving, in the shower or sleeping. Lately I've been waking up in the middle of the night with song ideas and find myself singing them into the phone while half asleep. When it comes to music production, I let my trusted producers take the lead.

What's Your Top 10 Desert Island Tracks?