NikNak - Mentoring, Resonance programme, releasing, funding, mental health

In this episode, we talked with Nicole Raymond aka DJ NikNak. An Oram Award-winning and history-making storyteller in her own right, NikNak is devoted to developing her unique practice as a DJ and turntablist, sound artist, composer, producer, tutor, sound engineer and radio presenter. She is a strong advocate for diverse representation in the music industry, especially within DJ, turntablism and music production realms, and for musician wellbeing and mental health.

We discussed the mentoring support that she received through Launchpad, her experiences applying to funding and opportunities and other opportunities that she has taken part in.

This episode was recorded in September 2020, when NikNak was in the run-up to the release of her debut album ‘Bashi’. The first single ‘solo’ was released in September 2020 with the album coming out in November 2020. You can listen to this via your favourite streaming platforms and purchase it on Bandcamp, with all vinyl copies now sold out.

We also mentioned Opera North’s Resonance Programme which is a workshop programme for minority ethnic professional musicians and composers, working in any genre, and based in the north of England. NikNak’s Work with Khadijah Ibrahim ‘Dead N Wake’ can be listened to on Opera North’s Soundcloud now.

TC and the Groove Family’s single “let’s start” is on all major streaming platforms now.

Thanks to:

This episode's guest - Nicole Raymond

Facilitator - Ash Doherty

Production and editing - Ash Doherty and Emily Marlow

Podcast Artwork - Jon Foulger

Links:

NikNak:
Instagram - instagram.com/niknakdjmusic/

Twitter - twitter.com/NikNakdjmusic

Website - niknakdjmusic.uk/

Mixcloud - mixcloud.com/niknakdjmusic/

Spotify - open.spotify.com/artist/108DScSlOQbchNa78euBES?si=-nnAy6iaRhasUgzagQzqhA

Resources:
Artist level of support infographic - instagram.com/p/CDg3ep3BFd5/

Launchpad resources page - launchpad-music.com/other-resources

One-to-one advice sessions - musicleeds.appointlet.com/s/online-advice-session

Launchpad:
Instagram - instagram.com/_launchpadmusic

Twitter - twitter.com/_launchpadmusic

Facebook - facebook.com/launchpadyorkshire

Mailing List - launchpad-music.com/subscribe

Website - launchpad-music.com