NICO at Home with Annie Hamilton
How did you enjoy creating the NICO at Home content?
I loved this shoot! Jess (my sister) came over one afternoon and we made tea, listened to music and took a bunch of photos around my apartment - it didn't really feel like a shoot, more like just hanging out and being creative.
What does self-care look like for you?
At the moment, self-care for me is rest. I had a really intense period of touring and promo late last year when my album came out and didn't have a day off for a long time, so now I'm relishing the downtime. I've been reading a lot, baths every night, cooking elaborate meals, sleeping as much as possible, going for 5-hour-long coffee dates with friends and spending a lot of time in the ocean. I've also had my phone permanently on do-not-disturb the last few weeks and it feels good to spend less time doom scrolling / glued to a tiny screen (brain is un-rotting).
How does sustainability play a role in your daily routines?
I really believe that small everyday changes can add up and have a big impact over time - so I am always trying to be intentional about what I'm consuming and where I'm shopping - to vote with my wallet. We are kind of force-fed this idea of 'convenience' that seeps into every aspect of our lives, but usually the convenient or cheap option (think fast fashion, Uber Eats, meal kits, etc) has a hidden cost and a way heavier footprint. I generally don't really buy much. About 10 years ago, I challenged myself to a year of not buying anything new, and that habit has more or less stayed with me. I make a lot of my own clothes or shop second-hand, and I love altering or upcycling second-hand pieces to give them a new life. If I do buy new clothes, I only buy really special pieces that I know I couldn't make myself, or items from independent designers or brands that value ethical and sustainable manufacturing.
Your sense of style is very cool. How does fashion play into your self-expression, and what are your wardrobe essentials?
Thank you so much! Fashion has always played a massive role in my self-expression. I've always loved making my own clothes and re-imagining vintage pieces by cutting them up and putting them back together in creative ways. In saying that, I'm also a creature of comfort and at the moment, I'm basically living in a bra and pyjama shorts every day while I'm just hanging at home in creative hermit time. My wardrobe consists of a lot of very eclectic pieces that I've collected over the years from op shops or independent designers and things I've made myself. I'm a big believer in outfit-repeating and cannot stand the idea that an item of clothing is redundant because you've worn it before, or loses value because it's 'last season'. I only buy pieces of clothing that I really love and I aim to keep them and wear them for years. I go for quality over quantity, comfort and functionality.
Your music feels so raw and authentic, what usually sparks the start of a song for you?
I write every day - usually just pages of free-flow stream-of-consciousness, and usually ideas/images/phrases start to emerge from those. When I sit down to write a song, I usually am at my laptop with my guitar/keyboard and mic plugged in so I can start recording every idea I have. I think the best way to start a song is to just start. I play around with chords and sing jibberish melodies until something sticks. Follow the thing that feels exciting in that moment - not any external concept you have of what you 'want to write', and focus on the process, not the end result. I write a lot of songs and very few of them ever get released, but that's part of the process.
What has been a memorable moment or “pinch me” experience in your music career?
I supported The National for their Australian tour last year, and they asked me to join them on stage each night to sing with them. Each night, it was a different song, which they'd decide in soundcheck that day, so I'd just get a text an hour before telling me what song I'd be singing. It was so amazing. I love that band so much. They've been really influential on my art and the whole band and crew are so generous, kind and supportive. The entire tour was a pinch me moment.
What are you working on right now?
I've recently released my sophomore album, Stop and Smell the Lightning, and I have a few remixes and alternative versions of those songs in the pipeline to release over the next few months. I'm also working on new music - I'm loving the blank canvas that the album release has left me with. It feels like I have all this time and space now to fill with new creative work. I've been enjoying being creative just for the pure joy of it rather than it feeling like 'work', so I've been oil painting, writing songs, making myself some clothes - just following the sparks and seeing where I end up. It feels good!
