Nicki Sage shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Nicki, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I’m definitely walking a path—but it’s a path I discovered through years of wandering, exploring, and saying yes to every creative opportunity that came my way. I spent a long time touring across the U.S. and basing myself in major cities like Los Angeles and Chicago, learning who I was as an artist and what kind of impact I wanted to make.
Recently, I moved back to my hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, to reconnect with my familial roots and channel everything I’ve learned over the years, into building something meaningful here. I’ve ALWAYS been someone who creates spaces for artists—I’ve hosted back-to-back showcases in several cities—and now I’m bringing that same energy home. Curating events, championing local talent, and bringing people together has always been part of my DNA as a performer and community-builder.
Since returning, the momentum has only grown. I’ve found an incredible band to perform and write with, I’m self-producing my upcoming EP, and I’ve built a creative team for my music videos. I also have a huge rollout of new content planned for next year.
So yes—after all the wandering, I’m finally walking a path that feels entirely my own. It’s intentional, grounded, and rooted in both artistic growth and community leadership. I’ve learned firsthand that not all who wander are lost—and not all who are lost wander.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Nicki Sage, and I’m a multi-disciplinary artist whose work spans music, performance, filmmaking, fashion, and community-building. I’m a singer, songwriter, producer, dancer, content creator, event curator, and creative director — and my brand lives at the intersection of all these forms of expression.
Musically, I blend alt-pop and pop-rock with cinematic textures, emotional storytelling, and strong visual elements. I self-produce my songs, conceptualize the imagery behind them, and collaborate closely with dancers and choreographers — often contributing heavily to the movement, staging, and performance design that shapes the live experience.
Beyond music, I’m also a filmmaker. I create short films, music videos, wedding videos, promo videos, and narrative visual pieces, all rooted in a passion for storytelling and world-building. I love taking an idea from concept to screen, working with creative teams, directing scenes, and crafting visuals that feel both intentional and immersive.
I’ve also recently launched my fashion line, “Vibez by Nicki Sage”, which celebrates individuality and self-expression through bold, trendy apparel. The brand’s tagline — “Express yourself. Discover trendy apparel that celebrates your individuality.” — reflects my belief that style is an extension of identity. Just like my music, Vibez is about empowering people to stand confidently in who they are.
I’m also a long-time showcase host and event organizer, curating multi-genre lineups and creating platforms where artists can build community, connect, and collaborate. Whether I’m producing a live show, directing a video, designing clothing, or writing a new track, everything I do is driven by the same intention: to create art that feels alive, inclusive, expressive, and unapologetically original.
Currently, I’m developing new music, new visual projects, new collaborative performances, and expanded creative concepts for next year — all part of the larger universe I’m building as an artist and creator. I’ve partnered with a wonderful collective of talented and driven musicians and songwriters called “Numin Tribe”, and we’ve been playing shows regularly. Not to mention, that I’ve also started working closely with Patrick Amunson. Patrick Amunson is the founder of Amunson Audio—an innovative publishing & distribution platform built to empower independent artists. With roots at Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Extreme Music catalog where he managed metadata operations, Patrick brings deep industry experience and a strong infrastructure to his company. Amunson Audio handles publishing, rights management, and global distribution, marketing, and more—while partnering with Sony Orchard to give artists worldwide reach. His genuine commitment to artist-ownership, transparency, and career development has already helped countless musicians elevate their path.
Stepping into the Sony Orchard ecosystem feels like a major turning point in my career. I’m truly excited for what the future holds!
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
A part of me that I’m learning to release is the version of myself that felt like I constantly had to prove my worth. For a long time—especially in my early years as a performer—I carried this pressure to hustle nonstop, outperform expectations, and say yes to everything just to feel seen. That mindset helped me survive in bigger cities, navigate the chaos of touring, and push myself creatively, but it also kept me in a place of overextension and self-comparison.
That old version of me served its purpose; it taught me how to work hard, stay resilient, and build opportunities from nothing. But now, I’m releasing the belief that I have to be in survival mode to succeed. I’m letting go of the part of me that equates nonstop motion with progress, or sacrifice with value.
Instead, I’m stepping into a more grounded version of myself—one that creates from intention, not fear. One that understands my voice, my art, and the community around me is enough. Letting go of that old pressure is opening space for more authentic expression, stronger collaborations, and a healthier relationship with my craft.
This new chapter isn’t about proving myself anymore—it’s about owning who I am, honoring what I’ve already built, and creating from a place of confidence and purpose.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There was a point in my journey where I genuinely questioned whether I could keep going—not because I didn’t love music, but because the industry can make you feel invisible no matter how hard you work. I was touring constantly, living out of suitcases in different cities, grinding nonstop, and still feeling like I was pouring everything out while getting very little stability or support in return. It wasn’t one moment—it was a buildup of exhaustion, burnout, and the pressure to constantly reinvent myself just to stay afloat.
I’ve tried several times to walk away from the industry. I even attempted to get a 9-to-5 at one point. I learned the hard way that my mind just isn’t wired for that, and no matter what other career path I tried to run toward, music always pulled me back in. At this point, I truly believe there is such a thing as a calling.
So how did I get past the burnout? It wasn’t a breakthrough or a lucky opportunity. It was reconnecting with the core of my creativity after taking a few months to rest, recoup, and focus on my mental health. During that time, I started writing without worrying about algorithms, producing without chasing trends, and performing in ways that felt fun again. I built healthier collaborations, surrounded myself with people who actually cared, and allowed myself to evolve.
And something shifted. The more I chose authenticity over pressure, the more doors opened—new bandmates, new creative partners, new shows, new ideas, new reasons to keep going. I realized that I don’t make art because it’s easy; I make art because it’s who I am. That “almost-giving-up” moment taught me that resilience isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about realigning with purpose.
I didn’t give up. I recalibrated. And that made all the difference.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the industry tells itself is that success only looks one way. There’s this idea that you haven’t “made it” unless you’re famous, charting, or going viral, and that anything less doesn’t count. But the truth is, being able to pay your bills with your art is success. Building a career, having steady shows, creating consistently, and doing what you love every day is something most people never get the chance to do.
Some bystanders don’t understand that music is a real profession—not a hobby, not a phase, not something that only becomes valid once the rest of the world decides it’s glamorous. For many of us, it’s our livelihood. We’re working, strategizing, creating, negotiating, producing, and performing just like anyone else in a traditional career path.
The lie is that you have to be universally recognizable to be “legitimate.”
The truth is that sustainability is success.
Professional doesn’t mean famous—it means dedicated, consistent, and able to build a life through your craft.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely—and I say that because I’ve learned firsthand that praise isn’t a reliable indicator of anything. In my experience, people tended to praise me the most when things were going well for me, including people I didn’t particularly connect with or individuals I had fallen out with. It taught me that compliments often have more to do with timing and perception than with genuine support.
Because of that, I’ve learned not to let outside voices affect my progress, good or bad. Compliments are always nice to hear, of course—but what other people think doesn’t always translate to your actual success. External validation can be inconsistent and misleading.
That realization is what ultimately made me become more private. I stopped announcing plans before they happened and started focusing on doing the work quietly and intentionally. And honestly, that shift has made all the difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nickisageofficial.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickisageofficial/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicki-sage-7a1170380/
- Twitter: https://x.com/SageNicki
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nickisageofficial
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nickisage
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/49SOn9fUGMOnFks3HlBjLp
LinkedTree:
https://linktr.ee/nickisage
Image Credits
Kristia Knowles, Reygel Oliveros. Nicki Sage (self).
