Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicolas Swain.
Nicolas, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve been a writer for a while now, but it wasn’t always music-related. I started writing short stories and poetry in elementary school and honestly kept my musical aspirations pretty quiet until college. I went to the University of Florida in 2010 and, as a Telecommunications major, I was given access to the WUFT Newsroom. This was my first time being in a fully equipped A/V studio, and I quickly figured out that it was everything I needed to make music. I was in heaven! I started recording all the time, figuring out my sound, joining the iconic Late Night Early Morning family, and performing anywhere and everywhere available. Eventually, I moved back to the greater Atlanta area (Clayco stand up!) and built my own studio, where I recorded my first album “Coming From”. Very shortly after that, I had the opportunity to work with DJ Ologi and Rravii in a studio session, and our chemistry was instantly a success. What started as one little collab has blossomed into an unstoppable soul-powered trio of groovy individuals known as The New Groove. We’re currently wrapping up our second album, a funky fusion of old school and new school, heavily influenced by 70s culture and heavily influencing 20s lifestyles. Definitely tap in.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not in the slightest. Rejection is a constant part of the process, but when you understand the power in failing and the knowledge you can gain from it, there’s not much that can stop you. I don’t expect everything to just be smooth on my journey anymore; it honestly would be less fulfilling if it was. The hardest part is learning to expect the failures and then embrace them just as much as you would a win. Because first and foremost, they’re inevitable- all of us have lost before. And personally, I’ve learned way more from my losses than my wins.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
The first thing you would know me for is probably my music. I’ve gone by a lot of names in the past, but it’s always been KeepitSwain. I’m a rapper, singer, songwriter by day, and I do a lot on the side: audio engineering, graphic design and video editing to name a few.
I love making music man. It’s been my favorite thing to do for years, and I don’t ever think that’s going to change. I’m a lyrical artist so I’m all for making something with substance to it, but I try not to be a slave to morality. If thats how I’m feeling, then that’s how I’m writing. When I look back at the songs, I’ve written that people like the most, they’re some of my most honest pieces.
As far as most proud of…?! I can’t pick between my children, I think that’s frowned upon. But really any song that’s related to someone is a major accomplishment to me, and I’ve been blessed to share that experience multiple times. Sometimes it’s at a dope live event like Follow the Smoke in Gainesville, sometimes it’s during an Uber cruising through midtown, but either way, those connections mean everything in the long run and I’m grateful to have been an impact on people.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I’m addicted to Google Calendar. It’s open on the tab right next to this interview right now, trust! I like to be organized with my schedule, and one of my favorite quotes is “You have to wake up with determination if you want to go to sleep with satisfaction.” I apply that to Calendar by making sure I line up my days and weeks as best I can with all the tasks I need to get done. I use Evernote all day too cause I have to write shit down.
Contact Info:
- Email: ikeepitswain@gmail.com
- Website: www.KeepitSwain.com
- Instagram: @KeepitSwain
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/KeepitSwain
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/KeepitSwain
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/KeepitSwain
- SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/KeepitSwain
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitswain?lang=en
Image Credits
Jacari Jones (@shot_by_saru) Goebbels Saint-Cyr (@shotsbygo) Christian Grier (@_c.g.productions)
