treated differently, but I have had the constant struggle of being turned down not because of my musical skills, but because I am female. Change is happening, but just as many factors of life create controversy between the sexes, this is one I unfortunately have personal experience with but will still fight to have the musicality speak for itself.” Nikki’s CHIME design centers around the art of street drumming. She mixes in the shape of the cymbals, vintage keys and other “artistically cut objects such as custom trashcans and more street found objects.” She mixes her love of the drums, vintage keys and how her career has led her to the place of being part of “Street Drum Corps” represented by the objects from the street. Her advice for young rockers is specific and poignant: “The good musical fight is a vicious cycle many artists endure, the cycle can either stop you, or motivate you. Working in the music industry is highly competitive and it truly takes constant perseverance. There is nothing more rewarding than taking every aspect of the art and applying it to make it stand out. Originality is the key…Music is a language that I S S U E 0 0 3 H O L I D AY 2 0 1 2 / / S H O P G R A F F I T I B E A C H . C O M
can be used for the betterment of everything around you, so speak wisely. The music world is an unknown adventure, and with every knock of opportunity, be ready, because one knock will lead to the next.” Jen Carlson, The City Forced to play the flute because of her tomboy ways, Jen rebelled and took 2 drumsticks into her hands instead. She has been seriously studying the beats and rhythms that emit from this chosen instrument ever since totaling eleven years of practice. When critics say “You’re good for a girl” she moves on unbothered, secure in who she is and the choices that she has made that have led her to this point. Her motto? “Put yourself out there and play from the heart…everything will come together.”
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