Meet Nikki Lickstein | Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nikki Lickstein and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nikki, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
I’ve slowly habit stacked over the years and would say that has definitely helped towards my success personally, and professionally. I pray everyday. I try to get outside for fresh air and get some kind movement in daily. I practice gratitude. I am of service to others. I listen to, write, or play music to express myself regularly. I say affirmations. It’s a lot of small things that add up. I’ve learned by making sure I take care of myself as a person, I ensure that myself as a songwriter benefits in the long run, as well. I still have a long way to go, but daily habits are just that: one day at a time.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a songwriter. Well, by day I am currently a full time special education teacher at a public elementary school. After work my life consists of teaching private guitar and ukulele lessons, playing in writer’s rounds around town, or chasing down that next song with a cowriter or two. In terms of how I got to where I am today professionally, I’d say practice and hard work. I have been playing guitar since Kindergarten. I was trained in multiple instruments, having been in jazz band and orchestra all throughout my schooling. Music theory definitely laid a foundation for my art. I’m thankful to have had teachers who encouraged my creative writing along the way, I’ve always enjoyed poetry. Since combining the two, I have learned a lot of lessons and it’s helped me overcome challenges. I’ve openly struggled with mental health and substance abuse, and during those times, this outlet became a safe haven of sorts. I know that music and songwriting will always remain in my life, in some form of capacity, but my dream is to be able to write songs for a living. Pub deal is the dream 🙂 I think I have words and stories to tell that set me apart from others, because of all the life I’ve managed to live in my 23 years here.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Wow! A week!! So fun. So much to do and so much to see!

Day 1 : Breakfast at the cereal bar in 12 South, Wanna Spoon. Super cute and Insta worthy, yummy, and in a great area to walk around in afterwards. There are tons of shops and typically artisans of some sort walkable distance. Not to mention, tourists love some good murals, and boy do we have ’em! Next, head to the Country Music Hall of Fame! Take a tour and when you’re hungry for lunch, I recommend getting some Nashville chicken at McDougal’s. Enjoy a nice stroll around Centennial Park afterwards, see the Parthenon, and look for Taylor Swift’s bench! For dinner, make some reservations at the Hampton Social to get pictures, drinks, and food. Walk from there to Broadway and enjoy a night full of line dancing, singing, karaoke, and live music.

Day 2: Grab breakfast at the Pancake Pantry in Hillsboro Village. Make sure to get there early, as they have a famously long line. After eating, I would suggest browsing the boutiques and murals near by. Do a little shopping, maybe even see a movie at the Belcourt Theatre. You will want to get lunch in that same vicinity, at the Grilled Cheeserie. The name speaks for itself. That afternoon, if peddle taverns or party buses and your thing: go for it. For a unique music city experience, but more chill evening, buy tickets to go hear some of your favorite songs sang by the people who wrote them at the Listening Room Cafe.

Day 3: Spend the day in the Gulch. Biscuit Love is always a safe bet for breakfast. There are mural tours, lots of stores, and food options. Something less well known that I find cool to do in that part of town is making your own candles! Pick everything from your own scent to container at Paddywax Candle Bar. If you have time for lunch and happen to want to indulge in the best tator tot fondue I’ve ever had, (or boozy milkshakes, burgers, etc.), I’d say eat at Burger Republic. Make sure to get a photograph in front to the iconic Nashville wings, “what lifts you” art, while you can. If you are still hungry for more later, head to LA Jackson’s for tapas, drinks, and a must see skyline aerial view of the city to wrap up your Gulch adventures.

Day 4: Find a local coffee shop. There’s loads of spots to explore. Make your way to 5th & Broadway. There is no shortage of activities available and it’s even complete with a food hall. You could easily spend the entire day here.

Day 5: Take it easy. Tour the Grand Ole Opry! Spend some time at Opry Mills. Buy tickets to see a live writers round at the Bluebird Cafe (as seen in Nashville on television) if you are lucky to be able to snag some before they sell out! If you have a sweet tooth – visit legenDAIRY. It is a milkshake bar that is everything and more!

Day 6: Brunch it up with the best crepés at Red Bicycle. Pick a Museum! Johnny Cash Museum, RCA Studio B, Frist Art Museum, and more. Other food options include: Pucketts, The Pub (Irish Style drinks and food), Bakersfield (Mexican food, $3 Tequila shots, 2 blocks from Broadway), The Pharmacy (Burgers)

Day 7: Make a reservation at Pinewood Social. You can eat, drink, and even reserve a bowling lane. See a comedy show at Lannie’s or book a group bar experience to enjoying customizing your own hat at Rustler Hat Co.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
To give credit where credit is due, I have to shoutout the Nashville Songwriter’s Association International (NSAI) in leading me to where I am today. They have played a large, long, and ongoing role in my story and I’d be remiss not to give them the recognition they deserve. For anyone starting up I could not recommend them more. I wouldn’t have even ever known songwriting was it’s own profession as a teenager if it weren’t for running into executive director, Bart Herbison, at a gig in Boca Raton, Florida, that my grandparents had driven me to. After introducing himself, I was introduced to a whole new world. Still too young for a license, I now had access to online cowriters and a world of knowledge available through speakers and song critiques from pros. Fast forward and these days, I have since moved here and still, have met some of my closest creatives because of their member reps, and use the writers rooms here in Nash.

Mr. Herbison would want everyone to know that “He’s responsible for my engagement. True story!” As I recently became engaged to a wonderful young man who I met in speech class at Belmont University. I, Jewish and attending University of Miami for a bit, would have not have been aware of the outstanding songwriting program at a private, Christian, school, nor would have transferred had it not been for Mr. Herbison. So… for mentorship, Bart Herbsion, I thank you. For support, NSAI, thanks!! For love, Tyler Allen, your encouragement is like no other.

Website: https://www.nikkilickstein.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikki.lickstein/

Image Credits
Jennifer Cooke Photography