For those people who haven’t heard of you before, could you tell us a bit about yourself?
For those who haven’t heard of me, I’m Nic Leaf, a self-taught singer, producer, and songwriter. I started everything from my bedroom with just a computer and a piano. Music’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started playing piano when I was five, and now, 18 years later, it’s become something I’ve truly grown into.
Creating music has always come naturally to me, whether it’s songwriting, producing, or just messing around with sounds until something clicks. Music has shaped a lot of who I am. It’s how I express myself, how I figure things out, and honestly, how I stay grounded. I’m always working on something new, not because I feel like I have to, but because I really love it.
Who inspired you to get on stage and perform?
I’ve been following Billie Eilish since before she became a household name, back when she was just posting early songs with FINNEAS. What drew me in was how real it all felt. Their writing had this quiet intensity, like Billie was saying everything most people are afraid to say out loud. And FINNEAS’ production always felt so intentional and personal, and even in its simplicity, it had these complex elements.
Watching them perform made me realize how powerful it is when someone brings that kind of raw emotion and vulnerability to a stage. It’s not just about singing a song; it’s about letting people feel something with you in real time. That’s what really inspired me to start envisioning myself performing one day. I haven’t had that moment on stage yet, but I know exactly what kind of energy I want to bring when I do.
What are some of the artists/albums that have stuck with you and inspired your sound?
This is always a hard question because my taste is constantly shifting and changing. I’m always listening to something new, and I pull bits of inspiration from all over the place. But if I had to name a few albums that have really stuck with me, “Home Tapes” by Oh Wonder is one I always come back to. There’s something so peaceful and intentional about it. It feels raw and comforting at the same time, and I think it reflects a quieter part of my personality that I try to bring into my own sound.
“Silhouettes” by Aquilo is another one that really stood out to me. I first heard the song You Won’t Know Where You Stand and immediately fell in love with their sound and the depth in their production. It’s delicate but still full of emotion, and that balance really influenced how I think about dynamics in my own music.
More recently, “Hit Me Hard and Soft” by Billie Eilish challenged me in the best way. It made me want to push beyond what I thought I could do sonically, and really reflect on who I am as an artist. It’s the kind of album that makes you want to grow.
There are definitely a lot more great albums that have left their mark, but those three are ones I keep coming back to.
Where do you write your music? Are you someone who is always coming up with song ideas?
I’ll pretty much write music anywhere and everywhere. If something comes to me, I’ll grab my phone and type it out right away, even if it’s just one line. I’m constantly coming up with new ideas, sometimes way too many at once. It gets overwhelming, honestly, because I’ll have all these thoughts and feelings I want to turn into lyrics, but they don’t always come out right at first.
That’s why I try to write in the moment, whenever I can. I like capturing exactly how I’m feeling while I’m feeling it before it starts to fade or I forget the emotion behind it. Even if it’s just a quick note, it helps me hold onto that feeling so I can come back to it later and turn it into something real.
Please tell us about the ReverbNation winning track “Want It All”?
“Want It All” actually has a really personal backstory. I originally wrote the song when I was around 14, and it was one of the very first songs I ever wrote. It came from the moment I fell in love for the first time, and it was kind of my first time figuring out how to turn my feelings into music. I didn’t really know what I was doing back then with production or recording vocals, but I knew how I felt, and that’s what I tried to capture.
I ended up releasing that version of it back in 2018 but this year, I decided to go back and completely reimagine it. I re-recorded all the vocals, added a brand-new verse at the end, and really spent time on the production to make it sound the way I always wanted it to. Then I released the new version 7 years later!
It’s one of those songs that still hits me emotionally because it came from such a real place, and an important time in my life. I wrote it when I fell in love for the first time, and now it’s kind of evolved with me. An aspect of the production I wanted to nail was the feeling that it induces when people listen to it. I hope when people hear it, they either feel that same idea, or at least remember what their first time falling in love felt like.
What has been your favourite experience as a musician?
My favorite experience as a musician hasn’t been one specific moment; it’s been the whole journey of learning and growing into it. Figuring things out as I go, making mistakes, and slowly but surely improving. It’s all made me realize that this is exactly who I want to be and what I want to be doing. Music has become my happy place.
It’s the one thing that makes me feel proud of what I create and excited to keep creating more. I’ve gotten to meet so many insanely talented, creative, and just genuinely cool people along the way. Sharing ideas, working on projects together, being around others who love this as much as I do, it’s made the experience even better.”
Do you have any plans to release an EP or an album?
Yeah, I actually have an album in the works right now! It’s still in progress, but I’ve been slowly building it for a while now. It’s a big shift from what my music sounds like currently, but this time, I really wanted to focus on telling a story. I want the whole thing to feel like an experience, where the listener isn’t just hearing the songs, but is actually in the story with me.
It’s been such a fun challenge to create something that feels that connected and intentional, and honestly, I’m really proud of how it’s coming together. Every day, I get a little closer to the finish line, and I seriously can’t wait for the day I finally get to put it out there!
What is the most memorable place you have performed?
Funny fact, I haven’t actually performed live! So I don’t have a “most memorable” spot just yet, but trust me, I’ve imagined it a million times. I’ve spent a lot of time visualizing what that first performance will feel like, what the space will look like, and how the music will come to life in front of real people.
It’s something I’m really looking forward to—being able to share these songs outside of my little bedroom studio and create a moment that actually sticks with someone. So while I don’t have a memorable place yet, I know when that moment comes, it’s gonna mean everything.
Here at Artistic Echoes, we are always on the lookout for new artists do you have any to recommend?
Definitely! I’d say keep an eye out for two artists I really admire. First is Matt Bates. he’s a good friend of mine who’s actually helped me write a few songs and has helped me develop my production skills to where they are now! He makes some seriously cool music and has done some amazing production work for other artists, too. He has a great ear and a really unique style!
The second is Dempsey Bolton, an artist from my hometown who’s honestly one of the coolest people I’ve ever met. He has such a strong connection to his music, and you can tell how much he cares about what he creates. He’s insanely talented and one of the most genuine artists I’ve come across; it shows in everything he puts out.
What plans do you have for the rest of the year?
Right now, I’m just nonstop writing. Every day, I’m working on something, whether it’s a new idea, a demo, or tweaking production. I’ve got a couple singles I’m currently working on, and of course, I’m still deep in the process of finishing the album.
It’s definitely busy and a little stressful at times, but I love it. This is what I want to be doing, and I’m excited to finally share everything I’ve been working so hard on once it’s ready.
