SPILL FEATURE: DIVE INTO THE WAVES WITH KATERINA NICOLE AND ‘SERENE IN VIOLENT OCEANS’! – A CONVERSATION WITH KATERINA NICOLE

DIVE INTO THE WAVES WITH KATERINA NICOLE AND ‘SERENE IN VIOLENT OCEANS’!

A CONVERSATION WITH KATERINA NICOLE

Ahoy there, fellow and music lovers! Get ready to set sail on a melodious journey with the one and only Canadian songstress Katerina Nicole! This indie singer/songwriter has braved the stormy seas and emerged with an EP that’s as refreshing as a salty sea breeze — Serene In Violent Oceans. Released today (February 21, 2025), this captivating ambient rock EP is set to launch wherever you stream music.

The songs on the EP give way to an emotional yet magical vocal pop-rock-infused sound that sets Nicole apart from her peers! Through her music, she has uncovered hidden treasures of self-reflection and healing. Who knew that the turbulent seas of life could lead to such beautiful, laid-out tracks during a time when humanity needed saving?

In her own words, Nicole explains, “For me specifically, it was about an awakening that I went through … and I really felt like, if I don’t do what I really want to do, and say the things that I need to say, and sing it and all of those things, I feel like, Man, I wouldn’t want to lose that opportunity”.

One standout track from Serene In Violent Oceans, titled “Catch My Breath”, showcases a collaboration between Nicole, producer Jordan Chase, and composer Matthew Lazare. Together, they’ve penned lyrics meant to touch your soul while guiding you toward inner peace. And get this—it isn’t just about powerful lyrics; her vocals maintain a perfect balance of being strong without overly dominating the track. In an industry flooded with imitations, she brings something fresh that’s desperately needed!

Immediately, this writing trio hit it off due to their shared interests; Chase and Lazare encouraged fusing heavy metal and hard rock into her pop lyrics. Nicole expresses, “A lot of my lyrics are very on the nose and to the point”, whereas with metal and rock, “There’s a lot of metaphors and different ways of saying things that mean the same thing. So, they encouraged me to tap into that style with “Catching My Breath”. This song talks about night terrors that leave you breathless. “I’ve been going through a situation that’s been a nightmare. So, this song was very healing and set the tone for the whole EP”.

Another meaningful track, “Emotionally”, speaks volumes about finding joy after hardship. With lyrics like “inhale and exhale/ being serene in violent oceans”, Nicole explains the meaning behind this song: “No matter what’s going on in life around you or even within yourself, if you’re going through turmoil, you can still be serene. You can still be at peace and find the light in whatever you’re going through”.

PURCHASE SERENE IN VIOLENT OCEANS

With five tracks totalling roughly 18 minutes long, Serene In Violent Oceans will keep you satisfied while Nicole expands her discography and phenomenal sound. But you won’t have to wait long because Nicole is already charting a course for a brand-new album—because why stop with a few songs when you can have a whole fleet of fabulous tunes?

To keep it real — Nicole talks about her fair share of tempestuous waves, especially as a single female artist navigating the murky waters of the music industry. She’s been battling the elements with grit and grace, from financial hurdles to the quest for a distribution deal. Yet, she’s not just treading water; she’s swimming toward her dreams with gusto as she focuses on what is important to her! She reminds aspiring artists everywhere not to conform — they should chase their true passions regardless of external expectations. Nicole states firmly, “I’m okay with the slow burn in this industry”, yet adds, “ It is okay to go against the grain”.

Unlike many newcomers who rely heavily on social media platform promotion via lip-sync videos, Nicole seeks authenticity over trends. She is all about keeping it professional and genuine. She envisions creating content that invites fans into her world to experience authentic music that will take them behind the scenes during album productions and video shoots.

Nicole describes another way for new artists to make more money: using all their talents. If you are an artist, photographer, web designer, etc., you can learn to craft album covers, websites, videos, etc. yourself—no middleman is needed. Nicole has been learning to manage her website and the shipping; she proudly says, “I ship out all of my merch.”

However, understanding one’s limitations is also essential. Nicole talks about wanting to land a good booking agent since the logistics can be tricky. You must keep a handle on all the moving parts. “There are many things to put into place,” says Nicole. Cold calling, securing venues, and ensuring your band shows up at the right place on time, all the equipment arrives and is set up, etc., are complex tasks that this artist would instead let a pro handle. Nicole gives one last bit of sound advice, “ Don’t sit on your songs for too long because the world needs to hear your music, and you never know who’s listening.”

What’s ahead for this vivacious, articulate powerhouse who knows what she wants? Simply put, Nicole is ready to rock a live stage! Who knows? You might find her performing in a port near you!

So, let’s raise our glasses to Katerina Nicole! Her vibrant spirit and unyielding determination will make waves and inspire others to join her on an extraordinary musical voyage. Stay tuned for new things from this artist, and don’t forget to catch her EP Serene In Violent Oceans, on Spotify and Apple Music. Rock on!

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