Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: My name’s Nick Voltare and I’m a singer-songwriter from South London. I write self-deprecating, witty songs about growing older, adulting, and life not going to plan. I grew up in a family of music lovers — my dad especially — but nobody else played instruments, so I picked up a guitar at 13, borrowing one from the school my mum worked at. I was never much of a singer; in fact, I got kicked out of the school choir for being “tone deaf.” That knocked my confidence for years, and it wasn’t until my late 20s that I properly started learning to sing and believing I could do it.
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “Nick Voltare”?
A: Right now I’m using TikTok and Instagram to grow my audience, but next year I’ll start playing live shows and releasing more music on Spotify and beyond. If you’ve just found me, my message is simple: if you overthink texts but underthink life decisions, you’re in the right place.
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: I love bands like Blossoms and artists like Matt Maltese and Rex Orange County. Inspiration usually comes from the small, awkward details of everyday life — the kind of things most people brush past. For me, it often starts with a phrase, whether it’s something I overhear or something that comes to me on a walk. I like when a lyric feels both profound and a bit ridiculous at the same time.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “29 (it’s okay).”?
A: It’s a funny but heartfelt look at reaching 29 and realising it’s okay not to have everything figured out. I wrote it during lockdown, and while the verses take a lighthearted view on growing older, the ending comes from a darker time in my life where I really needed a mantra to stop spiralling. I like to think it’s a song that can both make you smile and remind you you’re not alone.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: Wryly-relatable. Not quite 1 word but the closest I could get!
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “29 (it’s okay)”?
A: Definitely. The structure is unusual — there are three distinct parts, and it never circles back to the chorus after the bridge. In today’s world of looping hooks, that’s risky. But I didn’t want to force a pop structure; I wanted it to feel honest and true to the story.
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A: My message is that adulting is messy and none of us really know what we’re doing — and that’s okay. If someone hears one of my songs and feels less alone in their chaos, I’ve done my job. Long term, I’d love to build a career as a songwriter and performer, creating music where humour and heart live side by side.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: Alex Turner – he was my hero as a teenager. Arctic Monkeys were the first time I realised you could write songs about everyday life with honesty and humour. His lyrics have only got sharper with time, and I’d love to see how he works.
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: Don’t wait for permission. I wasted years worrying what people would think. Post the scrappy demo, play the tiny gig, sing the line that feels a bit too honest. The industry is loud, but authenticity cuts through every time.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: Get on with it. You’ll never be perfect, but you’ll be surprised how many people will resonate with your music. And learn Excel — turns out you’ll use it way more than you ever thought.
