Q&A Scene: Nikki Nicholls

TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW TOUR?
On Friday 3rd March, I will be performing at the Palms at Crown, my brand new show called “YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND.” The songs and stories of CAROLE KING with a touch of JAMES TAYLOR. Together with my band “Kings Rule” comprising of five of Australia’s most sought after and talented musicians, we will present songs that Carole wrote for herself as well as songs for other major artists such as Aretha Franklin, Blood, Sweat and Tears, The Beatles, The Animals plus more and of course featuring duets and songs by James Taylor.

WHY DO YOU THINK CAROLE KING IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR MUSICAL LANDSCAPE?
I believe for many ‘Baby Boomers’ Carole’s music was ingrained in our early teenage lives. We could relate to the simple lyrical content. What she wrote about was happening to us. Falling in love for the first time. The insecurities we all felt at some point, being unsure of who we were inside, looking after one another, we grew up listening to beautiful messages.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE WORK AT THIS POINT IN TIME?
I’m very proud of an album I wrote and recorded in Japanese called “Yume Ippai” which means ‘full of dreams.’ I wrote the songs about different parts of Australia for the Japanese tourist market. I loved writing and recording my most recent album “Bridesmaid.” This of course is in English and the songs relate to my life experiences. Also I have really enjoyed putting together this show “You’ve Got A Friend.” I never get sick of the music and I love my band of merry men.

TELL US A QUICK ON THE ROAD OR STUDIO, ANECDOTE.
Many years ago I was doing a session at Metropolis Studio in South Melbourne. I was leaning against the doorway listening to what had been recorded when someone came up behind me and in a very English accent said, “Excuse me is this studio 1?” I turned around and said ‘Nup, this is studio 2.’ I was in shock as I realised who it was. It was Mick Jagger. His face was so close to mine, something made my head go forward and I pecked him on the lips. Producer and engineer fell about the floor laughing as Mick walked off saying ‘Thanks” and me in total shock as to what I had just done.

WHAT OR WHO INSPIRES YOU?
People that never give up and keep pursuing their passion no matter what anyone says or does.

WHICH SONG DO YOU WISH YOU WROTE?
There are so many however definitely ‘Man in the Mirror’ (MJ) and “Jealous” (Labyrinth).

WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU?
Touring “You’ve Got A Friend.” More gigs with another great band project I’m involved in “Jam The Funk” and recording some new songs later in the year.

WHAT’S YOUR SCENE?
Hmmm, apart from music, my scene is hanging out with some of the most beautiful people I have ever met. Laughing with them, drinking with them, feeling safe with them and loving them with all my heart.

‘You’ve Got a Friend’ with a touch of James Taylor, featuring Nikki Nicholls and Kings Rule, will perform for one night only at The Palms at Crown on Friday 3 March. This will be an unforgettable evening of Carole King’s songs and story covering her amazing life and musical career.

Carole King is one of the most prolific singer/songwriters of our time. The ‘Baby Boomer’ generation fell in love with her melodies and chord structures that touched the heartstrings of her legions of fans with lyrics that simply expressed our feelings. Her music has withstood the age of time and new generations of soulful melody lovers have discovered her once again.

‘You’ve Got a Friend’ is a musical journey highlighting not only Carole’s creations for herself, but also songs she wrote for other artists such as The Beatles “Chains,” James Taylor, The Drifters “Up on the Roof,” Blood Sweat & Tears “Hi De Ho,” Herman’s Hermits “I’m into Something Good” and more.

Steve Wade also gives us a touch of James Taylor with some of his most loved songs ‘How Sweet It Is’, ‘Fire and Rain’, ‘Carolina On My Mind’ and ‘Steamroller Blues’.

Nikki said, “In 1971, when Carole was the keyboard player in James’ band he decided that she needed to shine. So to her complete dismay, Carole was coaxed to the front of the stage by James to take up her rightful position under the spotlight. It was from that moment Carole King the performer was born.”

The members of King’s Rule are Adrian Scott (Air Supply & Kylie Minogue), Steve Wade (Little River Band) Eric McCuster (Mondo Rock) Rick Petropoulos (The Ferrets and Motivators) and Fallon Williams 111 (Steve Marriott’s Humble Pie).

Nikki has had a long and distinguished career performing with some of the best artists in the music industry including John Farnham, Suzi Quatro, Lulu and touring the world with Kylie Minogue. Nikki starred alongside Wendy Stapleton and Debra Byrne for 10 years in the highly acclaimed “Girls, Girls, Girls” and recently released her solo album “Bridesmaid”.

Nikki said, “Carole King’s life so far has certainly been a tapestry of rich and royal hue and I feel extremely blessed to be able to present a collection of her amazing, legendary songs that was the soundtrack of our lives”.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS

Venue : The Palms At Crown

Date : Friday 3 March

Time : 7.30pm

Tickets : Ticketmaster

Nikki Nicholls has been in the music industry for many years.  She was an original member of the John Farnham Band and recorded the “Whispering Jack” album with John.  She was also a renowned Melbourne session singer back in the days when the album and commercial recording industry was thriving.

Nikki has since toured Australia and New Zealand with Australian Crawl, Suzi Quatro and Richard Clapton, toured the world with Kylie Minogue, and she has also supported Stevie Wonder throughout Australia.  The first night of the Stevie Wonder tour, Nikki was placed behind Stevie in a conga line as the whole band performed Master Blaster, however instead of helping to guide Stevie across the stage, in her excitement she forgot he was blind and steered him into the foldback monitor, he went down with her on top of him.  It was very funny at the time however; Nikki was not placed behind Stevie in the conga line for future gigs.

Nikki has recorded 3 studio albums:

“Misunderstood”  –  An album of ‘Rock Classics’ by Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Cream, Deep Purple and the Rolling Stones.  Songs included Foxy Lady, Whole Lotta Love, Smoke on the Water, Don’t let me be Misunderstood and Tin Soldier among others.

“Yume Ippai”  –  After studying Japanese on and off for eight years, Nikki wrote and recorded this album which is about iconic parts of Australia such as Ularu, Kakadu, the Great Ocean Road etc., completely in Japanese.

“Bridesmaid”  –  An original album produced by Nikki and Doug Brady.  The album has received critical acclaim with the title track “Bridesmaid” being a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition.  Bridesmaid also features “That’s No Way to Love Someone” which Nikki co-wrote with John Farnham.  She has been performing the album at venues and festivals throughout Victoria and has received a fantastic crowd response.

2017 will see Nikki also performing her show “You’ve got a Friend” across the country, beginning at The Palms in Crown Casino.   The show features the songs of Carole King with a touch of James Taylor and will be performed with a full band.