Niké Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Niké is fresh off the release of her debut album "Another Garden". I was so glad that she wanted to visit with us to discuss the album, and a bit more. I'm sure you'll love what she had to say.

So, let's see what happens when Niké visits Section 36 Music!

I really enjoy your recent debut album, “Another Garden”. What can you tell me about it?

It’s deep!

It’s a seven-song project rooted in colorful jazz harmony, distinctive storytelling, and modern pop production. It touches on themes of letting go, leaving home, and finding light in the darkness of the world. It’s a soup made of existential soul-pop, a touch of jazz and my passion for deep, meaningful conversations. I wrote and recorded it over the past four years in Boston and I’m hoping it brings people a piece of home. 

You’re a graduate of Berklee College of Music. What is the biggest thing Berklee did for your career?

Gave me incredible friends who are also phenomenal musicians. I learn from them every day and I make my best art when they are around. It also deepened my understanding of how important it is to truly listen.

You arranged and conducted the Sara Bareilles tribute portion of the 2025 Berklee Commencement Concert. What was that experience like?

Such a big challenge and so. Much. Fun. Wow. I got the opportunity to write an 8-minute arrangement of a medley of some of the most beautiful ballads Sara has in her catalog. As an arranger, one of my favorite things is finding buried details in the original recordings and bringing them out in new ways. My piece happened to be right after Sara’s official introduction. I walked to my conductor spot on the side of the stage and waited to cue the start of my arrangement until Sara sat down and the applause stopped. It was a powerful and beautiful moment. I love being a performer but there is a hidden charm in being a tiny part in an invisible puzzle of something huge and beautiful and having the opportunity to breathe in every moment of that experience. That’s what it was like!  

If you could cover any Disney song, which one would you choose?

For The First Time In Forever from Frozen. It’s so cute, hopeful and I could just scream it from the top of my lungs!

What would you say is the greatest challenge with your music career?

To know what to do next. Sometimes I wish a music career had a clearer path, clearer steps to get to the next thing. But the truth is each of our journeys will look so different. Sometimes you don’t know the path or the next steps. And that is all a part of the amazing adventure. 

What are your immediate musical goals?

I am moving to LA and I am so excited to meet and collaborate with creatives over there. I’m hoping to continue singing, growing, and writing music (forever!) for my own project and also for other artists. 

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I'd say those are wonderful goals!

As always, I want to thank Niké for visiting with us, and for sending along the pictures to accompany the interview. 

I'm sure you’ll all want to follow her and see what she has going on and what those next steps will be. I would follow her on Instagram and Spotify and visit her website to make sure you don't miss a thing. 

Thanks again, Niké, and good luck reaching your goals!