Nicki Walters is a charming indie artist from Denver, recognized for her genre-blending sound and heartfelt lyrics. With a distinctive approach to folk music, she invites listeners into her world, where vulnerability and creativity beautifully intertwine. Her music resonates with authenticity, drawing from personal experiences that reflect the complexities of identity and mental health.
Since her debut in 2021, Walters has quickly established herself in the indie scene, captivating audiences with her raw and emotive storytelling. By combining elements of alt-folk with electronic influences, her work showcases a rich tapestry of sound that is both innovative and deeply relatable. Her most recent EP, “again/carpet swimming,” — released in August 2024 along with singles like “it’s me” and “pretty & handsome —” demonstrates her commitment to pushing the boundaries of her artistry as she explores themes of love, acceptance and self-discovery. As a queer artist, she offers a fresh perspective in the music industry, challenging norms and inspiring others through her openness and creativity.
In this exclusive interview, Nicki Walters’ opens up about her artistic journey, her inspirations and what lies ahead for this rising star in the Denver indie music landscape.
303 Magazine: How did you get into music? What inspired/led you to make more contemporary music?
Nicki Walters: I started playing guitar at seven and would write little guitar things, but nothing crazy. I was super inspired by Ed Sheeran growing up, and in my early teens I gravitated towards making more folk/slower music. In my late teens, I discovered alternate tunings and odd time signatures, which I got inspired by from Radiohead and The Smile. Those two things shifted my sound a lot and my goals in music a ton. When Nick and I started working together (and still today), we challenge each other by pushing the boundaries and wanting to keep listeners on their toes.
303: What does a typical day look like for you? Morning or night person? When and how do you find time for music?
NW: I am very much a morning person. If I don’t get things done and going right off the bat then they probably will never get done. I try to be as intentional as I can with planning my days and making time to work on songs. It really just depends on the day and if I’m feeling it or not. When I was working on the record, sometimes I would wake up early because I literally couldn’t wait to get back into a session. Other times I would push a project back if I was burnt out or didn’t know where the song was going to go.
303: You mentioned Nick in a previous answer. When and how did you meet each other? What made you decide to perform as a duo?
NW: We met through CU Denver and always kind of knew of each other but weren’t necessarily friends. In 2023, I was thinking of starting a band and threw out on social media that I was looking for a drummer and Nick responded to it. I was pretty stoked because I knew Nick was an insanely cool drummer and was excited for what they could bring to all these songs I had written.
When we started playing we realized how well we worked together and didn’t really want to work with anyone else. I had sat on the idea of adding a bass player for a period of time but I was like I really don’t think it’s super necessary. Plus we both liked the duo concept. With that said, having less people gives Nick and I more freedom to add more complexity with our playing. Half of the time when we are working on something I’m like Nick literally play the weirdest thing you can think of.
303: Speaking further on the duo dynamic, what does the songwriting process for the duo look like? Is it mutual input? Nicki, do you come in with ideas first?
NW: It depends, for sure. Sometimes, and early on when we started working together, I would bring in songs and tell Nick what I was hearing drum wise. The other half of the time, we’ll jam for a bit and come up with a cool groove, maybe a verse and chorus idea. I’ll take it home, write some lyrics, get chords straightened out and bring the song back to Nick.
303: How many releases have you worked on together? I know you’ve had releases that were just you performing. Could you talk about what that process was like from start to finish? Who do you collaborate with now on your music/who works on your music now?
NW: I believe we have done five releases together. The five are part of our debut record that comes out in August, which we have been waterfall releasing over the past year. It’s been a long process, but super rewarding. Last August, after releasing “i wish i was better” and “roommate,” I was like, “Why don’t we make these songs part of a full project?” All the songs on the record are produced by me in my bedroom, and I did all the guitar/bass/vocal recording as well. We had our lovely friends Ben Pisano and Aidan Roberts each track drums on a handful of different songs. Ben also mixed a majority of the songs and mastered the album, and Mark Anderson mixed a few as well.
Every time I produce a new song, I feel like I learn so much within production and arrangements, so it was a great learning process. I have truly never been so proud of a project before and can’t wait to have the full record out so soon.
303: What moment, when performing as a duo, made you realize you wanted to keep pursuing music together?
NW: Truly one of my favorite things in the world is playing with Nick. I feel like we share one brain cell sometimes, a little cup-and-string action, if you will. We just have so much fun all the time. They are always down to do weird stuff and I love that about our playing.
A recent show we had at The Pearl back in May was a huge highlight for me. We had an insanely awesome turnout, met so many cool people. It was one of the biggest shows we have played. Getting to share that energy and feeling alongside Nick was incredible. This music just would never be the same without them, so they’re locked in for life with this duo.
303: Nicki, I know you’ve been part of the Denver music scene for a few years now. Can you speak to how the scene has changed over time from your point of view?
NW: I moved to Denver in 2019 and early on I wasn’t that involved, really just focused on school and establishing myself in a new state. I got into the scene probably late 2022, but once Nick and I became a duo, that’s when things took a turn (a good turn).
I feel like the Denver music scene is insanely supportive of one another. That’s definitely one thing that I feel like has stayed consistent. Everyone is so nice and makes such cool music.
303: You talk about the Denver music scene being super supportive. You’re a part of the LGBTQ+ community, another very supportive group of people in Denver. How has this impacted your artistry? Has this impacted your place in the Denver music scene? Do you feel this has helped or hindered your music-making and success in any way?
NW: I love writing about being queer and the different aspects that have come up in my life. Finally having the confidence to write about these things is something I really never thought I would be comfortable with.
Again, I feel like this music scene is so supportive and there are a lot of queer artists. We’ve had the chance to play a handful of full queer bills which is always my favorite.
I wouldn’t say it has helped or hindered. I think we just really know who our audience is and that has helped us a ton with marketing and such.
303: What are the future plans for the duo? Are you making more music? Do you plan on touring?
Nicki: We would love to tour eventually and branch outside of Colorado. At the moment, we are finishing up our first record and prepping for more Denver shows. Just trying to reach the masses and make a solid name for ourselves here.
303: Concerning the record you mentioned above, you recently released an EP. Can you tell us what the process was for making that EP? What are you most proud of with this release?
NW: The EP is just the singles from our first record that is coming out in August. I’m most proud of the production and the way we challenged ourselves rhythmically and musically. We took songs in a different direction that I never expected (in the best way possible).
303: Thank you again for sharing with us, Nicki. Are there any other plans you’d like to share with us?
Nicki: Just getting this record out and planning on an album release show in August.
Stream Nicki Walters’ EP “again / carpet swimming” here!