Episode 40 Nikka Costa: Recording Artist, Performing Artist, Songwriter, and her Experiences with Prince
Born the daughter of legendary producer and arranger Don Costa, Nikka was destined to be an industry name to be reckoned with. She’s been a recording artist since she was five years old and created her debut album at the tender age of eight. As she grew into her interests and her voice, she knew that R&B, blues, and funk were her passions and she’s since merged them to create a unique sound and style all her own.
Andy and Nikka are chatting all about how he found her and her work with their mutual connection Jeff Babko. Jeff helped to arrange and produce her most recent album Nikka & Strings, her take on some of the biggest songs in history.
Nikka also shares what it was like maturing in the music business and why it was artists like Prince who helped her to find her space and to keep growing. She recalls how Prince mentored her and talks about performing with him.
Listen as Nikka and Andy discuss three of her amazing albums, Everybody Got Their Something, Can’t Never Did Nothin’, and Nikka & Strings, as well as her writing style and what’s coming up next for her as an artist and a mother. This was a fascinating conversation that you truly won’t want to miss.
Show Highlights:
[00:10] How Andy first learned about Nikka Costa and more about background and experience.
[01:35] Nikka’s experience working with Jeff Babko on Nikka & Strings.
[03:20] Her dad had sheet music on the original arrangement of Frank Sinatra’s version of Come Rain Or Come Shine.
[06:20] Learn about the emotions she experienced while recording Lover You Should Have Come Over.
[08:41] Is it more difficult to record other people’s songs than ones that she’s written?
[09:25] Andy shares his first experience hearing Nikka’s music.
[10:42] How did Everybody Got Their Something come about?
[14:49] Was she happy with the level that the album took her to?
[16:39] The story behind meeting and working with Prince.
[19:58] Stories about how Prince’s mentorship affected her career and growth.
[21:52] What was it like performing with Prince?
[24:37] Why was there a four year gap between albums?
[26:36] Nikka shares more about her writing process.
[30:35] Have other artists recorded her songs?
[31:39] Why she loves being on stage and creating a true show.
[34:14] Is there anything that she still struggles with as an artist?
[36:47] What has she been doing since her last project?
[38:47] How has Covid impacted her life and work?
Nikka Costa:
Nikka on Facebook
Nikka on Twitter
Nikka on Instagram
Nikka on YouTube
Songs Discussed During The Interview:
Everybody Got Their Something https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyeoW4ifNik
Push And Pull with Prince https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oim3QKCEApc
Happy In The Morning https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EgCC81cD80
Come Rain Or Come Shine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDNHbWQGqiY
Lover You Should Have Come Over https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSBmm12zL2w
Episodes Mentioned:
Episode 37 Jeff Babko: Keyboardist Extraordinaire & Keeping The Channels Wide Open
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The Music Makers podcast theme song was written and produced by Andy Kushner with help from the rhythm section and horn players of the band, SoundConnection.
Sponsor: Kushner Entertainment
Check out Andy's Other Podcast: The Wedding Biz
