Nik Scott is a charming dichotomy in more than one sense of the word.
He will tell you he leads a double life.
And he will captivate you.
As referred to in his song “Experienced,†Nik’s maturity far surpasses what you would expect from his young and boyish good looks. The bluesy, sometimes gravelly edge to his voice tells of the typical hardships and growing pains, cigarettes and unrequited love. But when he sings of them, the experiences are his, and no others’. He sings with worldly humor in “Uncle’s Advice,†bitter honesty in “Just Friends,†and you find yourself ready to hear all the stories, his stories, for the first time.
Self-taught on guitar from the age of 14, and singing in the school choir long before that, the now 22 year old from Oswego, Illinois knows what it means to work hard for something. Upon lack of acceptance to the navy band for guitar, Nik read the signs right and boldly embarked on a determined year of college for jazz music. In addition to musical theory studies, personal writing and music composition, Nik pushed himself through that year, playing gigs five nights a week, sometimes more. And it shows.
Now a professional marine in Washington DC, Nik Scott is also the embodiment of a professional musician. And still working hard for it. For all the lack of self expression permitted at his post by day, he pours it twofold into his music. He describes his style as “Chicago blues†or a “funky blues,†but even that doesn’t quite nail it. His performances consist of 90% original works, accompanied by some favorite and familiar covers. His presence on stage is confident and reassuring, and you happily relax and sit back for Nik to entertain and lead you through the performance.
Nik now performs frequently through the DC Acoustic Underground; a network of up-and-coming musicians pulled together by Michael Yugo, a local musician who seeks out venues to showcase the musicians in the group and promote local music. Nik also is a regular opener for another local DC band called By The Wayside at venues in DC, Maryland and Virginia.
Dichotomy or not, Nik Scott is moving forward, full speed ahead. And it wouldn’t hurt us all to take a cue and keep up, if we can.
-- alissa taylor, ACTdesign
