How did you go from being Nicky to Nicky Click? Where did you get the name 'Nicky Click' and can you talk about its significance for you?

About two years ago I bought a used drum machine and started writing songs with my friends and turning my diary entries into songs. I was urged to perform them and never even realized that was an option or something people might be interested. Anyways I felt well received when I tried and continued. My first song I wrote was "Don't Call Me Baby" and that has all these parts in it that go "click click," so I realized the click and Nicky sounded hot together. The name stems some from that but also from the idea of a click [clique], a group, that I am in and part of, and the idea of my album, which is called "You're Already a Member" is to let the listeners and fans know that they are a part of and actually make up the click [clique], make it whole, like their participation is the "Nicky Click," and they are instant members, anyone can take part that wants too. The "Nicky Click" is not exclusive.


What has your touring experience been like? Any memorable fun and not so fun moments?

Touring has at times been exhausting but mostly I just feel so amazed and honored to be playing with a lot of the bands I played with and the fans and promoters everyone involved in the scene is really inspiring and awesome, especially in the queer music scene, people have been extremely understanding and supportive of the growing, learning and development process as an artist comes into their own. Touring has been an opportunity to try out new ways of performing and new songs to an objective audience, as well a huge learning opportunity and chance to come into my own as an artist.


What was the process of making your first album like? Had you ever done anything like that before? Tell me about it.

It was the first album we (me and Scream Club) put out on our label Crunks Not Dead. It was an incredible experience of putting a years worth of work into one capsule in time. It would not have been possible had I not had a lot of the help and support that I did. I still think I would have done it other ways or waited longer to form as an artist before I put out my first record, but ultimately I am glad I put it out because it opened a lot of doors for me and made me start taking my art and music a lot more seriously.


So, how would you explain Petunia Pie?

Petunia Pie is my alter ego she is the visual artist, the sad quiet girl in the corner, the thoughts behind the actions. She writes all of Nicky Click’s songs for her as well as does art work which can be seen on the new Nicky Click website.


You have been called the 'protégé' of Scream Club. What has the experience of collaborating with artists like Scream Club (and others) been like? Any artistic differences you had to work out? Was it total fun?

I believe that Scream Club are the reason I started doing Nicky Click outside of my bedroom. They helped me believe in myself as performer and gave me the tools and teaching in the kindest way to continue on alone. I think it is just so cool to be all girls making beats and writing songs and owning a record label and putting out  our records! I mean it feels good. I love them and believe in them very strongly as artists. They are very positive people and spread that everywhere they go.


In general, what is it like to go from writing in your journal and not being out in the public eye to putting your work out there and sharing yourself with an audience?

It has felt very vulnerable and almost obtrusive at times to have others in the picture of my intimate words, but it has made me make the decision to truly do this for myself, and not for some kind of recognition from audiences and fans like dancing and cheering to validate what I am doing. I have a need to share my pain and feelings with others, and this is how I am doing it now, through Nicky Click and Petunia Pie, some people don't like it, understand it, or take it seriously and I have to work all the time to not take that personally. I have to just keep my vision no matter what.


Is there any advice you would give to girls who are struggling with the desire to express themselves artistically but are held back by fear of putting there work out there?

Everyone has the capacity to be creative! I truly believe that once you have a few tools and friends to help all you have to do is get over the fear that you are not "a real artist" or “real musician" there is no such thing all of us are doing art all the time in our lives in many different mundane seeming ways and don't even realize it! I like how Miranda July always encouraged girls to just use what they had at the moment. I would agree. use what is around you, what you can afford and understand. take small steps and don't get overwhelmed, just feel and enjoy the process.


In terms of technology what sort of equipment do you use to create your music?

I use computer-sequencing programs such as acid, reason and fruityloops to make beats and record my music. I also use drum machines and samplers. When I perform I have all my backing tracks and such on my laptop and just sing over that with a mic.


Politics and feminism are obviously very important to you. Do you consider yourself a "political" artist?

Yes for sure. I am a queer feminist and have a lot to say about that in regards to my personal experiences in life, so it makes sense to me that I would flood my art with my opinions and experiences, it is important to me to  share what I have to say about my world and how I fit in it.


Who has influenced you now and in the past?

I really admire Nina Hagen and Sioxouse Sioux, Kate Bush. Lene Lovivh, Laurie Anderson, most female singers and performers from the  70s and 80s who mergered thier music with performance art and were very multidimensional and seemed to have very well formed performed characters. Also Barbara Kruger for her simple use of words as a means to make statements accessible to the public. Cindy Sherman also for her art has greatly influenced me as seeeing a woman who showed the public with no shame, all her different roles and parts of herself.


Any last comments?

Thanks for the indepth, awesome questions. I can tell you gave alot of thought about the Nicky Click! Thanks girl!


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Thanks to Nicky Click for taking the time out to do this interview.

(Interview conducted by Hannah D. Forman)