Check out our interview with talented Pop/R&B duo Ni/Co.
Growing up in Atlanta, Dani found herself leaning into her urban/R&B roots while dancing, singing + recording for some of the most prominent industry professionals. At the same time, Colton spent his high school years in Ohio where he was featured on S2 of NBC’s the Sing Off. After both relocated to Nashville, the two combined their early influences to shape their unique and fresh sound as a band. Ni/co has created + written with producers in Nashville, London + Los Angeles.
After playing shows all over the southeast, they gained an insatiable passion to perform.
Ni/Co is currently based in LA and continues to widen their ever growing digital presence.
Ni/Co’s music has been featured on several official Spotify playlists including multiple ‘new music Friday’s’. Their music been on various networks including the CW, VH1, NBC, BET, and Freeform.
Follow Ni/Co at @ni.co_official
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Passionate, goofy, determined
How did you get started in the business?
We both got into music fairly young so it seemed like it was really never a question whether we’d eventually be in the business or not. Dani grew up in Atlanta doing dancing, singing, recording and acting. She performed in various local shows and even did some work filming the pilot for a TBS show. She recorded with local producers and competed in singing competitions all over the southeast. Colton started out singing in church and later took interest in his school’s music program. His high school acapella group, Eleventh Hour, were the youngest contestants on NBC’s The Sing Off : season 2. Both of our upbringings gave us the grit to do this full time.
Did you go to music school?
We did! We both attended Belmont University in Nashville, which is also where we first met.
Describe your sound in 3 words?
Driving, emotional, genuine
Who influenced you and why did you choose to make music?
We both are influenced by so many artists, producers, and writers that it’s hard to pick. Some days we are inspired by people in our lives. Some days we feel the weight of the world so heavily that we can’t hold our tongues any more than we could hold our breath. We’re influenced and inspired every day by something new. That’s one of the biggest reasons each of us chose to make music – separately or together. We are constantly amazed and challenged and inspired by those around us. Whether you write, paint, dance, run, type, speak, it’s all an expression of you and your emotions. Music is what feeds our soul more than anything else in the whole world. We both sometimes joke that we never discuss having a plan B because we honestly have zero idea what we would do without music in our every day life. I think that’s when you know it’s something you’re supposed to be stuck with 🙂
Do you ever get nervous?
ABSOLUTELY! If an artist tells you they don’t, they’re lying… Joking (kind of)! The moment we stop getting nervous means we stopped caring as much about the outcome, so we welcome the nerves. Ideally every performer wants to get to that stage where it feels like second nature to sing in front of thousands, but we think the actual nerves and butterflies always exist. It’s like a first date you never get to stop having haha! Going on stage, performing a new song, or showing people your music – it’s SO nerve wracking because we care so deeply about the music we make and the way it can make someone feel.
What is your next goal as a musician?
Our next goal is to release a body of work we are genuinely proud of. We’ve been writing so much and honing our craft at home in this craziness, so it’s about time we can share our work with the world! Next big goal – we’re ready to travel and sing for people around the world 🙂
What is the feeling to have more than 8 million views so far? Thats amazing! Congrats!
It feels incredible!! We’re approaching 50,000 subscribers which is NUTS to us. We started this channel from a bedroom a little over a year ago as a result of boredom and a “what do we do now” type of feeling. We did not expect this kind of reaction at all. The collaborations we’ve been able to do have been the coolest part of the whole YouTube experience by far. We feel like we reach people from everywhere on this platform and genuinely connect with people caring about what we do.
Do you have plans to do live performances/concerts online in the future if the lockdown continues?
For sure! We’ve actually done quite a few already and have LOVED the experience! It’s definitely a challenge for us performers, but we’ve had the best time pushing ourselves and seeing how this industry is going to meld and change to what’s thrown its way.
What we can expect of Ni/Co in 2020?
Lots of music!! We are in a content whirlwind lately and so excited to just release, release, release!
What is your favorite song to belt out in the car/for karaoke?
Dani’s would for sure be a Journey song (depending on the day) and Colton’s would 150% be any Mariah Carey hit (even though he can’t physically sing it haha). We both LOVE early 2000s R&B music. Any long road trip we end up SCREAMING along to Rihanna, Ne-Yo, JoJo, etc.
Name one your strengths?
One of our strengths as a band is actually our differences. We balance each other in a way that we honestly didn’t appreciate until a year into our business. Where one of us is more emotional, the other is a bit more logical. Where one is organized, the other is constantly throwing out ideas or risks to take. However, we both equally have an unwavering calmness knowing this is exactly what we’re supposed to be doing.
Any loves other than music?
We both love being silly with people we love. We’re kind of strange, so goofing off and letting guards down is where we thrive. We also love Mexican food on an unnatural level.
How’s a typical day in your life?
This is such a fun question because truly there is no answer. We laugh at how not consistent our days are! We spend about 70%-80% of any day working on Ni/Co – whether it be creative or business side. Some days that looks like an 8 hour day of filming videos, recording vocals, or taking pictures. Other days it’s quoting someone for a gig opportunity, discussing collaborations with brands, seeking opportunities with collaborators, or expensing budgets for travel.
What would be a deal breaker on a first date?
Lying or complacency. You can tell both of those things about a person pretty quickly.
How do you see yourself in 5 years?
Happy, healthy, and spending most of every day doing music.
How would you describe your fashion style?
Whatever the heck you wanna wear – DO IT! We sometimes follow trends, we sometimes put on whatever’s clean, and we sometimes dress to the nines like we’re fearless. It’s another form of expression, so express yourself!!
What do you think of Social Media?
This is hard because on one hand, it is integral for our industry and artists like us to reach fans. On the other hand, we think it’s one of the most toxic tools for the generations close to us to be so attached to. We’re both affected daily by comparison, jealousy, depression, doubt, or anger all at the hands of social media.
Where we can follow you?
Website: nicomusicofficial.com
Instagram: @ni.co_official
Twitter: @ni_co_official
