The nico ducarme Soundcheck

He even began analyzing connections between his favorite albums, uncovering links between musicians who played on them. His three favorite albums - Voodoo by D’Angelo, Continuum by John Mayer, and Geography by Tom Misch - might appear distinct in style and era, but they share surprising links. “At first, I thought these albums were totally disconnected, but during lockdown, while I was writing music, I started digging into the credits and found all these crazy overlaps.”

One of his discoveries was the presence of Charlie Hunter, a renowned guitarist, who played on two tracks from Voodoo (Spanish Joint and The Root). Years later, Hunter appeared again on Continuum. “That was my first moment of, ‘Oh, two of my favorite albums have the same guitarist!’”

The connections didn’t stop there. “I started looking into who played bass, and it was Pino Palladino on both Voodoo and Continuum. Then, I checked the horns - on Voodoo, they were done by Roy Hargrove, the same trumpeter who worked on Continuum. And Roy Hargrove’s voice even opens Geography! My three favorite albums of all time, and they’re all connected through these musicians.”

Nico’s research also unearthed ties to other legendary artists. “Spanky Alford, one of my favorite guitar players, shaped the sound of Voodoo and also played on John Mayer’s I’m Gonna Find Another You. It’s incredible how these musicians weave through different projects and genres. Even Tom Misch worked with Rocco Palladino, Pino’s son, carrying on that legacy.”

For Nico, this realization was transformative. “It was unreal to see how small the music world is. These connections felt like a secret map of inspiration. And it taught me something - every artist, even those we think are entirely original, is part of a larger story. It’s not about being isolated; it’s about finding your place in this incredible lineage.”

Switching Gears: From Engineering to Music

When Nico’s passion for music took center stage, his life was already on another path. “At the time, I was in my second year of a bachelor’s degree in engineering,” he says. Despite the demanding nature of his studies, music began to take precedence. “From that moment on, it was music first, studies second. It wasn’t an easy shift - I had to make tough choices about how to prioritize my time. Interestingly, he found that limited time boosted his productivity. “During holidays, when I had the whole day, I wasn’t as efficient,” he notes. “But when I had just a few hours after class, I made those hours count.” This disciplined approach shaped his creative process and set the stage for his future career.

Even as music became his main focus, he maintained a pragmatic outlook. “It was cool to have engineering as a job during the day and then spend my evenings immersed in music,” he reflects. “That balance taught me how to approach my time wisely, even when I’m fully in music now.”

Authenticity in Creation

For Nico, the process of creating music is as important as the final product. “I never produce a song until it’s fully written,” he says. “That way, the core emotion is solid before I even think about adding layers in production.” He insists that a song must stand on its own with just a voice and an instrument, ensuring that the essentials are intact before any production begins.

One defining aspect of Nico’s creative process is his embrace of imperfection. One of his most popular songs, ‘10 Years Old,’ is actually a demo he recorded for his bandmates to learn their parts for an upcoming gig. “I just needed something quick to show them what to play,” he recalls. “But when I listened back to it, there was something about its rawness that really clicked. I didn’t set out to make it perfect, and that honesty in the recording gave it a special charm. That’s when I realized that sometimes authenticity and imperfection can create something truly resonant.”

Nico believes in a process of ‘musical natural selection’ when it comes to songwriting. “I don’t use voice memos,” he says. “If I can’t remember a melody the next day, it probably wasn’t good enough.” This approach ensures that only the most compelling ideas survive in his memory, naturally filtering out weaker ones. “It’s a bit unconventional, but it forces me to focus on quality over quantity,” he adds. By trusting his memory, Nico cultivates an instinct-driven workflow that emphasizes resilience and staying power in his creative ideas.

When it comes to lyrics, Nico values simplicity. “I’d rather explain a complex feeling with simple words than the other way around,” he says. Vulnerability is key in his writing, especially in tracks like ‘Keep Your Faith,’ where he reflects on choosing music over a traditional path. “It’s about staying true to yourself, even when it’s hard,” he shares. “I don’t mind opening up in my songs - it’s easier than doing it face-to-face. But I do think about how my parents or close friends might react to certain lyrics. That’s always in the back of my mind.”

Role of Influences in Music

For Nico, influences are an essential part of artistic evolution. “Sometimes I feel bad about how people, especially in Belgium, react to influences,” he shares. “It’s almost seen as a weakness to say, ‘I’m inspired by Tom Misch, John Mayer, or J Dilla.’ But nobody invents everything from scratch - we’re all building on what came before.”

Nico celebrates artists who openly acknowledge their inspirations. “Tom Misch’s first album is full of Dilla beats, and he gave credit, introducing J Dilla to a whole new audience. John Mayer did the same with Stevie Ray Vaughan, drawing attention back to his blues legacy. At first, their influences were clear, but over time, they became their own artists.”

This journey from inspiration to individuality is key for Nico. “Creativity isn’t about starting from zero - it’s about taking what’s there and adding your perspective. That’s how D’Angelo built Neo Soul, how Stevie Wonder began by covering Ray Charles, and even how the Beatles started by playing blues.”

Nico believes in honouring this lineage. “Using what came before isn’t unoriginal - it’s part of music’s evolution. When you acknowledge your influences, you’re not just giving credit; you’re showing how interconnected music really is.”

Dreams for the Future

Looking ahead, Nico’s dreams are ambitious but grounded. “I’d love to perform at Botanique or Ancienne Belgique - venues where I’ve seen so many of my heroes,” he says. Beyond Belgium, he dreams of touring in the U.K. and U.S., where his music resonates deeply. “But honestly, my biggest goal is just to keep making music every day. If I can do that, I’ll be happy.”

For Nico, success isn’t measured by fame or accolades but by the ability to stay true to his craft. “If I’m still playing music every day when I’m 60, that’s all I need,” he says. And with a journey rooted in authenticity and passion, it’s clear that Nico’s music is here to stay.

epilogue

I got to see one of Nico’s dreams already coming true just a couple of weeks after our interview when he invited me to his soundcheck (woah, title drop) ahead of his set at Botanique!

It was just Nico and his guitarist, Florian - no big production, just raw, stripped-down music. But by the time he was done, the crowd was on their feet, completely drawn in by the energy and emotion of his performance.

With this kind of momentum, I can only wait for the invite to his headline tour!