We were lucky to catch up with Nik Patel recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Nik, so excited to have you with us today, particularly to get your insight on a topic that comes up constantly in the community – overcoming creativity blocks. Any thoughts you can share with us?
I tend to use writers block (in the sense of songwriting) as a signal to myself that I need to live a little more life in order to say something meaningful. Sometimes, you find yourself writing about the same situations and feelings, but other times you can only write what you’re currently experiencing and how your currently feel. In order to help alleviate writer’s block, I try to just have conversations with friends and/or colleagues, try to enroll myself in different experiences, and do whatever makes me feel passionate. Eventually, the written words come back.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m first and foremost a songwriter and fell into being an artist over the past couple years. I started my creative journey writing songs in my bedroom with a dream to write songs professionally for other people. I was always musically inclined as a child picking up the guitar when I was 8 and writing songs for my neighbourhood band. I really loved the story telling behind it and it became a sense of therapy as I got older. In self-talks about my aspirations of being a songwriter, I felt like it would be easier to get a word out if I recorded the songs myself and possibly connected outward. So with that, I started recording my own music in 2020 with an 2 EP series. It was a fun experience, but also made me realise how much I had to improve. During the process, I always felt that lyrically my songs were up to my standard, but my vocal ability and sonic ear was a little lack lustre. So in 2021-2022 I really pushed myself in vocal growth and recording a first full length album. That album, Amethyst Skies, came out earlier this year. It’s a culmination of my relationship with life and myself. From calling myself out for insecurities to being uncertain with where life is taking me, it was a pretty lyrically raw album for myself. Now, I am super excited to move forward with the final touches on my second album which is set to officially release in 2024.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Persistence, patience, and honesty. I feel very strongly about these 3 qualities in regard to writing. Persistence–practice as much as you can to formulate your writing style and to find creative ways to express your ideas in the best way possible. Patience–going back to the question about writer’s block, be patient with yourself. Songs are funny things; sometimes they come easy and sometimes they never come. Work on your craft as much as possible, live life and have experiences, and eventually the words you need to say will find their way onto the paper. Honesty–be honest with yourself. Songwriting is all about passion and you have to stay true to yourself. I’ve always found that the best songs are the ones that are the most raw and honest. If you are honest with yourself, you can never go wrong.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes! I’ve started to collaborate a lot more with other artists and songwriters over the past year and it’s been so incredible. I would love to collaborate with any fellow pop and R&B writers and artists around Nashville, TN. They can reach me at @nikpatelmusic on Instagram or via my website www.nikpatelmusic.com
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nikpatelmusic.com
- Instagram: @nikpatelmusic
