He might not be new to the music scene, but Nic Billington is hoping to find a new home in listeners’ hearts. His new album Dark Horse is out everywhere now, and it’s safe to say there’s something for everyone on it. Not to mention, this is Nic’s first full-length release since 2013, so we’ve been waiting for this one. Pulling inspiration from his favorite 80’s artists, horror films, and the best synths we’ve ever heard – Nic Billington is back and here to stay. And we got to sit down and chat with him about this new project, the past, and what’s to come! So let’s stop stalling and buzz right in!
Hello and welcome to The Honey POP! We’re so excited you’re here and beyond ready to dive right in. But before we do, please introduce yourself, let our readers know what you’re all about and what you’ve got goin’ on!
I’m a musician from London, originally from South Africa. I’m into music, art, and visuals. I’m a hard worker, a free spirit, and love bringing positivity to others, despite being introverted. I’m thrilled because I just launched my second album, so I’m currently spreading the word and getting people excited about it!
We have to start by talking about your new album Dark Horse. We’re obsessed with darker themes within the album, and the different themes that you’ve woven throughout the record. When you started writing Dark Horse did you have a specific idea or vision of what the final product would be or sound like? Or how did the sound and feel of this album come to be?
I had a clear vision for my new album’s sound. I aimed for it to be like a TV show soundtrack, like Stranger Things, True Blood, Riverdale, 13 Reasons Why, etc. Paul Gala, who produced most of the album, worked on music for Riverdale, so it was all very intentional. The vibe is darker, moodier, and a bit melancholic, but it’s also positive, uplifting, and has that cool 80s nostalgia.
‘Slasher’ is a masterpiece for countless reasons, but we’d be lying if we said the horror film vibe of the track didn’t pull us in even more. What are some of your favorite 80s horror films that you used as inspiration for ‘Slasher?’
Thank you for the compliment! I’ve had an affinity for darker things since I was a kid, watching movies like It, Nightmare on Elm St, and Beetlejuice. For the ‘Slasher’ music video, I took inspiration from ’90s thrillers like Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and The Blair Witch Project. Also, the Netflix show Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story gave me some great ideas too.
We’re big believers in just putting yourself out there and we think that’s something you truly perfected in your career. Whether we’re talking about your dedication to writing songs from a young age or your YouTube covers that even gained you the Queen of Pop, Ms. Britney Spears, attention! What would you say is your biggest takeaway from building up your career and fanbase through YouTube? And how would you say that’s affected your career?
The main lesson I’ve learned is to stick with what genuinely brings you joy and not worry about what others think. For me, creating music and visuals is my way of expressing creativity and it makes me happy. At first, I got caught up in what people thought, and it made me stop creating altogether. Now, I just do it for the fun of it. Having creative control has been great for my career. It gives me my own identity and makes me stand out, which has had a positive impact.
Dark Horse is also your first album since your debut record Overload in 2013. We think it’s safe to say a lot has changed since then, but what would you say has been the biggest change for you both as an artist and person in the last decade?
The major shift for me is the life experiences I’ve gone through. Since my first album, a lot has happened, and working on Dark Horse has been very therapeutic. It’s about real-life moments, it’s genuine, and it truly reflects who I am today. Musically, I’ve been braver to explore different sounds, genres as well as singing styles.
The singles you dropped from Dark Horse were also all absolute bops on their own. We particularly love the narrative behind ‘You Get Me High.’ What was the creation of that song like?
‘You Get Me High’ was the starting point for the whole project. The producer sent me a demo, and I was instantly hooked after the first listen. I played that demo like 200 times before we recorded the final version. When I hit the studio to finish the writing and vocals, everything just flowed naturally. That’s when I knew we were on the right track.
This album feels like it’s been a long time coming! With the first single being released at the end of 2020 and this album not making its official debut until this year. What has been like to get to sit with some of these tracks and grow with them a little longer until Dark Horse’s debut?
It’s been a really enjoyable journey. While still working on the album, some tracks are already out there making a name for themselves. I intentionally took my time with this record so I could revisit the songs with a fresh perspective and make little tweaks until I was completely satisfied. It paid off because that’s how the lead single, ‘Dopamine,’ came to life. I initially wrote it in 2021 and was close to shelving it, but after giving it another listen, I saw its huge potential. So, we gave it a revamp, and the lead single was born.
Okay, we have to talk about your cover of ‘White Wedding.’ It’s dark, mysterious, and completely captivating. We feel like it’s safe to say you’ve found the perfect recipe to make a cover of your own. What are some of your favorite covers that you really felt like you’ve made your own over the years?
I would say ‘White Wedding’ is the closest I’ve got to making a cover my own. I’ve also always loved performing ‘Personal Jesus’ by Depeche Mode as well as ‘Kiss’ by Prince.
It’s a new year, your brand-new sophomore album is out, and we need to know: what are some of your goals/plans/hopes for 2024 so we can make sure we don’t miss a thing?
I’ve got a bunch of exciting things coming up! I’ll be doing live shows around the UK, more press to promote the album, and diving into my passion for directing, shooting, and editing music videos. Also, I’m working on an underwear collection called SVINT BLVD, and I have some cool business ideas in the pipeline. Keep your eyes open for all of that! My main goal is for people to enjoy the music and hopefully, it adds a bit of zest to their lives.
Alright, we like to wrap things up on a fun note over here at The Honey POP! We know that you’re an 80s kid at heart and were assigned a music lover at birth. So, we need to know: If you could collaborate with any 80s artist of your dreams like Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, etc., who would it be? And on the flip – if you could collaborate with any 2010’s-now artist like Billie Eilish, LABRINTH, etc., who would it be?
Collaborating with Michael Jackson would be iconic, given he was ahead of his time, and I’m still in awe listening to his music. I’d also love to work with The Weeknd because everything he does turns to gold.
Thank you again to Nic Billington for taking the time out of your schedule to chat with us about all things Dark Horse and so much more! It’s safe to say that there is no shortage of bops within Nic Billington’s discography. And we know you agree with us too! Let us know your favorite songs from Nic Billington in the comments below or let us know on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT NIC BILLINGTON:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
1 Comment
Love all the tracks, turn up the volume,they sure to make you want to dance around the kitchen! 😁