A Dirty Dozen with NIKKI JUMPER – May 2020

According to a recent press release: “Today, Toronto, ON singer, songwriter, and sonic insurgent Nikki Jumper unveils her new single “Apocalypse Love.” Teetering on the brink between rock and pop, she delivers an instantly catchy end-of-the-world anthem punctuated by hypnotic delivery, a danceable groove, and a hard-hitting hook, “Let’s blow this shit up tonight.” The song was co-written alongside Francesco Yates and features production from Phil Gornell [Bring Me The Horizon, All Time Low]. Be on the lookout for the premiere of a cinematic music video to accompany it very soon.” We get Nikki herself to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

My new song “Apocalypse Love” just came out! When writing this song, we asked ourselves ‘what if the Apocalypse happens?’. On the surface, it seems pretty dark – but it’s really a love song about finding strength within yourself to keep fighting on, even during the chaos! Something listeners don’t notice right away is that the song is about artificial intelligence and the potential catastrophe of us vs. them! What would happen if we had to defeat A.I?

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

The moment I heard the No Doubt album Rock Steady when I was 11 years old is when I decided I wanted to be a singer. It was massively inspiring and empowering to have Gwen Stefani as a role model growing up. She also got me into fashion!

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

The tension between rock and pop is what has guided me! What’s a girl to do when she’s as obsessed with the punk and metal scene as well as pop and dance? It’s been a challenge to create something that I feel has all of those elements I love, without ruining the magic of either in the process. There wasn’t a specific live show that guided my musical taste, but more so the magic of everything that is supposed to be opposites.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Grimes, Charlie XCX, Bring Me The Horizon, Anti-Flag, and MGMT.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

My dream collaboration would be to do a metal song with Kid Cudi.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I usually say it’s Alternative Pop/Indie Rock. My musical taste has become genre-less. I’m really not afraid to try anything. The album we’re working on now has elements of pop, punk, metal, indie, dance. It’s a bit of an experimental hot mess. But it’s a lot of fun! I’ve had a few people tell me I sound like Poppy, Grimes, and Katy Perry.

7. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

The best thing about being a musician is to be creative with everything! I love the music. I love the art and visual side of it as well. I love the collaboration with other artists. It’s really fun to be able to make something out of nothing.

8. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

I’m a solo artist. My “band” are my friends and collaborators! Francesco Yates and I write and record everything at my home studio. We pass our recordings to Phil Gornell so he can add his touch of production magic.  I’m the little chef of the house – and I’m usually the first one to get tipsy. Francesco doesn’t drink, but he does love his studio popsicles!

9. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

I don’t get star-struck – but I did get starstruck when I met James Franco when I was in LA. He was a bit flirty and flashed me that charming James Franco smile. We talked for a bit and then I ran away!

10. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

My dream job? I’d love to travel the world being a food taster for restaurants! One time, I was invited to taste the potential new menu items for a restaurant in Toronto. I rated the food and helped decide the new menu. I voted in the strawberry cheesecake pancakes. It was the best afternoon ever!

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I wish I believed in myself sooner. As an artist, it can be hard to get over the self-doubt. But once you do, the fulfillment you get from doing what you love is absolutely worth the struggle to get there.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I’d love to be in the room when MGMT recorded their first album Oracular Spectacular. I absolutely love that album! “Electric Feel,” “4th Dimensional Transition,” “Of Moons, Birds, and Monsters…” it is pure magic. It’s one of the albums that really inspired me as an artist. This is probably one of my most listened to albums of all time.

NIKKI JUMPER LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

Category: Interviews