Creating Culture: Local Artist JC Nickles Delivers His Vision While Helping Others

David Desin

Hosting regular open mic nights at Philly on the Rocks and Basement Transmissions, local musician JC Nickles sat down with Amy VanScoter to discuss his style, his current projects, his story, and his vision for the local music scene.

The local music scene in Erie has no shortage of talented artists. Beyond the success stories, there are numerous musicians honing their skills while seeking opportunities to shine. Whether starting out at open mics or putting in behind-the-scenes work, the full scope of talent in Erie is not always heard by the majority but is definitely felt while creating the culture. In smaller venue spaces where genre boundaries are pushed, I first learned about JC Nickles. A successful local artist casually remarked, "He's the reason why so many artists in Erie exist. He's given so many people their start."

I quickly learned that Nickles wears many hats. Hosting open mics at Basement Transmissions on Wednesdays, at Philly on the Rocks on Sundays, and serving as the latter's booking director, his plate is full. Nickles is a singer-songwriter of acoustic, punk, hip-hop, alternative, rock, rap, and experimental music. He's also a producer, actor, director, and filmmaker. In addition, he is a music promoter for N.E.A.R. (New Era Artists Revolution), which hosts live variety shows and showcases artists on YouTube. N.E.A.R. focuses on local, independent, and underground arts and entertainment.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Nickles explained that his early childhood experiences shaped his love of music. From exposure to different genres, environments, and vocal accents through travel, and growing up in a time when MTV was mostly music videos. Asking him to describe his vibe, he says, "Martial arts, pro wrestling, music not pushed through mainstream media, and music from other countries with a mild touch of a mad scientist and an interest in psychology, then you pretty much know who JC Nickles is."

"I've been creating music since I was 8 years old on a guitar with nylon strings and on a keytar I got from Toys R Us, but I didn't take it seriously until I was 14, a year after I got my electric guitar. I owned an acoustic for a bit, but when I got the electric I became a songwriter," he said. Nickles explained that he often channels his emotions and energy into his instruments and gets what he calls "writer's flow," sometimes writing up to five songs in one day.

Nickles feels that, although he has fun in the studio, writing impactful lyrics and making music with a purpose is paramount. "I only write and perform live to share a message, my belief, and to express myself. I have a great time making albums with different styles of music on it, but the songs are very sincere. Live, I perform personal and worldly acoustic rock-alternative songs either backed by my drummer Bochi or solo." He explained that the songs he performs come from observing his surroundings, world issues, and different levels of experiences. "The songs I play live are original; however, 2020 VISION involves music from myself and other producers such as former Erie locals David Lomorro, MadClock, Cal Ray All Day, Jason X and FiendX Da Pennywise," Nickles said.

The album trilogy 2020 VISION began 10 years ago, when Nickles said he was observing the world through the internet. "I began showcasing songs for an unreleased album titled Divide & Conquer between 2015 and 2016. However, it was tough to find time to settle down and go into the studio as a band, so I decided to release an album I could tackle on my own. That album turned into a 5-year trilogy. The first single on the album, "Bad Intentions," was focused on my belief of where society was going in 2020. What I thought was going to be one album turned into more," Nickles said.

Outside of working with many bands via Gimp Guy Underground Promos with Alex Harrilla as a sound technician and promoter from 2011 to 2021, Nickles' local music career began at Basement Transmissions, performing there in 2011 at their original location on State Street. "I would help with repairs, clean, organize, and run sound for a decent amount of shows. I got to experience some of the local music scene, all while attending the open mics at The Crooked i," said Nickles.

The Crooked i, a venue that closed in 2014, is where Nickles says he met a lot of local musicians and encouraged those who are a strong force in the local music scene today. "My best example would be Brooke Surgener. I'm sure she reached out to more than just me, but it's cool I was one of the people she reached out to when she was just starting out." He continues, "It's odd to think she was ever nervous about being on stage in front of anyone; she did a great job then and does wonderful work now." Nickles was a regular for years at many of Erie's local music hot spots – working sound, booking, and performing at PACA, The Beer Mug, and Bobby's Place.

"The Erie music scene is and always has been capable of so much, which is what made me want to work with the local artists and stick with it for 13 years now," Nickles said. "I'd like to see more people take a chance on the unfamiliar, utilize the variety in this city, and give it a main stage. With N.E.A.R., we respect and appreciate differences. We believe variety, especially through entertainment, is the only way to showcase how much we have in common with each other and how our differences can strengthen us more than divide us," Nickles said.

N.E.A.R xp is a local independent variety program that can be found at youtube.com/TheNEARxp DeadMetal

Amy VanScoter, a fan of local music and the former Crooked i, is the founder/owner of Infinite Love Yoga, LLC, and can be found at infinitelove.yoga.