Exposed Vocals just interviewed Niko Youman
In the world of relationships and love, we all cope with our experiences in many different ways. As a singer and songwriter from Chino, CA, I want the world to experience my way of coping with my experience with love. Every word and note is a feeling I want to share with the world and is something that I hope will link with someone else out there and help them the way music has helped me. My music is a reflection of my soul and I am very excited to continue sharing my experience with others.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
I grew up in Norwalk California, one of my favorite cities!
I think what made me decide to become an artist is just the fact that I felt like I didn’t really have the courage to speak what was on my mind. I knew playing guitar or poetry was a great outlet for me so I just decided to speak my mind through music. I felt like I could just be myself and really be detailed about how I felt.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Honestly just be yourself, try not to be like everyone else. If you can stand out as different, that’s what draws people to you. If there’s no originality in what you’re doing, then you’ll just be stuck where you’re at. If you have a goal you want to reach you have to work hard and put your heart into it. Everyone recognizes hard work, and true music lovers will always appreciate that. Promote your hard work and just network, let other people see how hard you’re working on what you love. And eventually it’ll pay off!
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Of course I do! All the time, whether it’s forgetting lyrics or hitting wrong chords, or just forgetting how to play my songs in general. And frankly I just roll with it, I’ll laugh it off on stage or make stupid faces. I guess it helps take the pressure off and helps me to realize that I’m on stage playing for myself because I love it, and not for anyone else. I feel like if you’re always trying so hard to impress people that’s when you give the worst performances, it just gives you unneeded stress and pressure. It’s supposed to be fun.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
I haven’t had an opportunity to tour yet! But when I do I hope I have some awesome stories to tell when I come back!
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
As far as gear is concerned? I mean I use a Scarlett 2i4 interface with Ableton Live 9, and a Mac book Pro.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Well it was very hard in the beginning. I just used twitter most of the time. And honestly I still do! I have a good friend that helped me promote my music heavily, so having someone on your side helps out a lot! His help with promotion allowed me to grow my fan base and even get signed to a music label. People might find it annoying but one day someone will click that link you post and it could very well be a new door opened to you.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Wow, I’d love to play with The Beatles first off, because if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have become much of a song writer. I love them so much and they’ve influenced me in more ways than not. And definitely Modern Baseball! They’re my favorite band on the entire planet and have been an intense influence on my chord progression and lyric flow. I probably would freak out like crazy if I had a chance to share a stage with them. At most of my shows I’ll perform a cover by them! I would love to play with both of them in Glastonbury, England.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Well I just dropped an album last week called “@ You”, so nothing that’ll be here right around the corner, but I am working on a split with a good friend of mine that we’ll probably be releasing this fall/winter. Follow me on social media to stay up to date on everything.
Instagram/@mr_frontman
Twitter/@mrneekneeks
Facebook/@nikoyoumanmusic
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Just skating my life away. I love skateboarding so much!
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in the next year or so?
Shows and more shows.
Exposed Vocals: Any Shout-outs?
First off I need to give a HUGE shout out to my friend Bush, without him I’d be nowhere at all. He pushed all my music onto his friends and now his friends are all my fans. So much love to you! I’d also like to thank Disengaged Media for giving me a chance and signing me to the label, investing in me and believing in me. I’d also like to thank my family for their love and support. Lastly I have to give a shout out to my best friend Josh. He helped me grow as a musician, took me under his wing, and taught me everything I needed to know about writing, recording, equipment, I mean the list goes on and on. I love that guy to death! Thanks for everything you did for me.
