Q&A: Niko Walters

Triple platinum-certified singer, songwriter & producer Niko Walters made huge waves with the release of his phenomenal hit ‘Not My Neighbour’, as well as linking up with R&B superstar Kiana Ledé for a fresh remix of the track. Now he invites listeners to peer through the looking-glass at his most raw and honest material to date with the release of his magnetic sophomore album ‘White Flag Waves’. He tells us all about his latest album, his exclusive upcoming album release shows & more!

HEY NIKO! WE'RE STOKED TO HAVE YOU ON, THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS! FIRST OF ALL, HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN SINGING AND CREATING MUSIC?

Thanks for having me! I've always written music. But it started as a career when I was living in London in 2017. I had two weeks after my visa ran out and I had to head home and I decided to write and produce a mixtape. I put it online and it got some heat. When I got back to NZ, I linked up with Universal and signed a deal and have been going hard ever since! :)

HUGE CONGRATS ON YOUR NEW ALBUM 'WHITE FLAG WAVES' - IT'S SUCH AN INCREDIBLE COLLECTION OF SONGS! HOW DID YOU LAND ON THE NAME OF THE ALBUM, AND WHAT ARE THE MAIN THEMES THAT YOU DELVE INTO LYRICALLY?

‘White Flag Waves’ is a metaphor for surrendering - letting go and accepting things as they are. When writing the album, this was something I first discovered and exercised a lot through mediation and daily affirmations. It was a big discovery for me and positive influence on my life. You can’t control the outcomes of everything! It influenced the album a lot. I let go of pressures and expectations are created music I loved and believed in and trusting my gut. This allowed me to make authentic, beautiful songs to share with the world.

ONE OF OUR ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE SONGS ON THE ALBUM IS OF COURSE 'VICIOUS LOVE'! CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE MEANING OF THIS SONG AND THE INSPIRATION BEHIND IT?

‘Vicious Love’ is probably my favourite. It's about a complicated relationship where two people madly in love are not connecting and instead, are clashing. It's what could be described as a toxic relationship. Such relationships are so difficult, where the love is real but the conflict is draining. The song navigates the intricacies of such a relationship.

ANOTHER TRACK WE'RE IN LOVE WITH IS THE VERY FIRST SONG 'FREE'! WHAT WAS THE WRITING & PRODUCTION PROCESS LIKE FOR THIS ONE?

This is an interesting one. ‘Free’ is the oldest song on the album. I produced and wrote this song in my bedroom back in 2018. I immediately loved it but it stayed in the archives for a while. I shared a snippet of it on Instagram last year and got a huge response, so I developed the production and polished it up to what it is now. It felt like the right feeling for the album and I wanted it to be the first thing people heard. Something I wrote and produced through and through which lyrically and sonically delves into the beauty of loving and caring relationships and the desire to sometimes be "free" - more meaning to let go and forgot about all the BS in your life for a moment and just clear your head and follow your heart.

WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR MAIN HIGHLIGHTS WORKING ON THE ALBUM?

We had some amazing sessions working with Josh Edmonds and Joe Corban Banks (Ambian & Sleo) where we jumped in to Josh's studio for a week and went harrrd! We wrote like 3 songs a day and the mood and energy was electric. We had a load of musicians and writer friends come in and help on songs. It was one of those weeks that was so productive and fun. A lot of songs from that week are on the album so it was a week I won't forget. It was just loads of fun with no pressure - lots of coffee and laughs and doing what we love to do.

INCREDIBLE! AND YOU’VE JUST ANNOUNCED YOUR UPCOMING ALBUM RELEASE SHOWS IN AUCKLAND, WELLINGTON & CHRISTCHURCH WHICH IS SUPER EXCITING! WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST WITH THESE SHOWS?

Yesssss. So excited. I'm looking forward to performing in front of people and playing my songs and seeing reactions. I'm looking forward to going out there and giving it my all and hopefully giving people some fun and feelings.

WHO WOULD YOU SAY ARE YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATIONS IN MUSIC?

I grew up on sooo much and suuch a variety of music. Dad played Motown - Al Green, James Brown etc so a lot of soul influenced me. The Beatles and Stones. Bands like RHCP and Kings of Leon. More recently artists like Frank Ocean, Kanye, Francis and the Lights, Alabama Shakes, James Bay, Matt Corby, A$AP Rocky. I seriously draw inspo from so many genres and artists.

WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE NZ ARTISTS RIGHT NOW AND ARE THERE ANY SONGS IN PARTICULAR THAT YOU ESPECIALLY LOVE OR CONNECT WITH?

Call me biased but Six60. I love their EP from a few years back and latest album. ‘Rivers’ and ‘Up There’ and such songs are incredible. And ‘Tomorrow’ and ‘Ghosts’ on their latest album send me to another place. Aside from them I've always been a huge Fat Freddy's fan. I think they're hugely underrated and some of their stuff blows me away. More recently an artists called deryk and Alayna have beautiful alternative vibes that I reeeaaaly dig.

YES! WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT NEW ZEALAND? DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVOURITE PLACES TO TRAVEL TO OR LOCAL SPOTS THAT YOU LIKE TO VISIT?

It's home. Whanau. I've travelled a lot and there's no place like it in any aspect. I'm an outdoors person too so it's definitely my where I feel at peace.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST LESSONS YOU’VE LEARNT IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR, AND WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER ARTISTS OUT THERE?

To back your gut feeling. Be clear in sessions about your vision and stick to it and make sure everyone is aligned and understanding your vision. At the same time, truly listening to others and taking on their ideas and opinions - whether you choose to use them or not. You have to leave you ego out of it and be collaborative to try make the best piece of work you can.

AMAZING ADVICE. LASTLY, WE END EVERY INTERVIEW WITH THIS QUESTION - IF YOU COULD SAY ONE THING TO EVERY PERSON IN THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

It sounds a but cheesy - but probably "be kind to yourself and to others". I think a simple message like that would be a big help in today's climate. Oh and also, GO LISTEN TO MY ALBUM YA'ALLLL!!!!

Thanks so much Niko! Make sure you keep up with him on Instagram, Facebook, Spotify or Apple Music.