1. Hello Nikita, can you tell us all a little bit about yourself, before you became a country artist?

Hi! Yeah of course I can. So my name is Nikita Skogen, I’m a 27 year old country artist and songwriter from Norway. I started to sing and Dance when I was just a little girl. I have always loved Music. So there was no doubt that I was gonna do something that had to do With Music. I was an active kid. I was a dancer and I tried gymnastics for a while. But I always ended up back With singing. When I was around 12 years old I started going to a vocal Coach. She said that she heard something in my voice and she believed that if I really wanted to, I could make something out of it. That made me believe in myself. I started to Write songs and I spent every day in my room, singing and dreaming. I recorded my first single when I was 12. Just for fun, for my own. I did some School performances and stuff. I went on auditions for Norwegian Idol, Norway’s got talent, x factor, etc. But it never went my way. But looking back, I am glad. Because they were right. I wasnt ready. I then recorded my first Public single in 2010. «I Wonder», a song by Kellie Pickler that I did a cover of. It was just released to youtube. As the years passed I felt that something wasnt right With my body. I felt so tired, always sick. In and out of hospitals etc. But the doctors never believed me. In 2014 when I gave birth to my daugther, it was like my body gave in. It didn’t want to work normaly anymore. I was tired all the time, I got sick just by doing the laundry and easy Things like that. I kept going in and out of hospitals, trying to figure out what was wrong. Finally in 2016 I got diagnosed With Fibromyalgia and ME. Not something you want, but it was an explanation to why I was feeling so sick. So to shorten Down the story I can say it like this. I am a stay at home mom because of my illness. I spend most of the day on the sofa or in bed. I have good days and bad days. But i 2020 I got the oportunity to make my dream come true. I got to know Davis Branch. He wanted to produce my Music, it was a once in a Lifetime thing. And I am glad I took it. I can do everything from home, that is why I can do this. I want to spend the little engergy I have on doing something that makes me happy. I now have a Family. A fiance and two kids. They support me all the way and we’re making it the best way possible so that I can fullfill my dream, despite everything.

2. What made you want a career in country music? 

When I was a teenager I heard the song «Remember When» by Alan Jackson. That song made me fall in love With country Music. It was how he told the story,  how it moved me. Even though I was so Young. Then Carrie Underwood won American Idol. I loved her Music, her way of writing and telling storys. Before that I only listened to pop Music. But country pulled me in , because it was storys I could relate to in a deeper way. I could cry my eyes out or I could Dance on the table. I could also see how country Music brought People together. I thought to myself that this is what I want. I want to Write storys like these. I want People to relate to my Music as I related to country Music. So that built the Foundation for me and country Music.

3. Who are some of your musical icons?

Growing up my first musikal icon was Britney Spears. I think a lot of Young Girls were there at some point. But when country Music came along, it was Carrie Underwood and Kellie Pickler that I looked up to. They were the kind of artists I inspired to be. But today, Gabby Barrett is a huge inspiration. I love her Music, how she tells the storys , and she can tell one story in so many different ways. So that People can relate in different ways. She has got me singing on her songs every single day.

4. How would you describe your music in 3 to 5 words?
   Modern, true, inspirational, happy, country
5. What is your recording process like when creating and making new music?
   I start With the writing. I don’t play any instruments myself, so it’s just me and my pen. I sit Down and think about what story I want to tell. And then I get inspiration from either my own life, or maybe a friends life. But sometimes I can just Write about something I think that a lot of People can relate to, and that I think People need to hear. Then I sit Down With my producer and co-writers , to make a melody and go over the lyrics. That is such a fun part. Then The Music is made, then I lay Down vocals. Since I live in Norway, I record my vocals in my very own studio at home. Then I send them Down to Nashville where my producer Davis Branch lives. He puts it all together and does the mixing and stuff there. So even though I live in Norway and records the vocals here. Everything else is done through Nashville. That’s why I can Call myself a Nashville recording artist. I just can’t wait for Covid to be over so I can travel Down there!
6. What is the background story behind your latest single “Break Your Heart?”
   The story behing «Break Your Heart» is easy to tell. When I was gonna record and release my first single I thought about what I wanted to release as my first. I wanted it to be personal. I wanted to be able to tell the story behind it, and let the fans get to know me. So what was better then writing a story about my life at that point. Me and my boyfriend has been together for 8 years now. We have two kids. But Things are never just a Dance on roses. It has been ups and Downs. And what I sing about in «Break Your Heart» is that sometimes Things are so bad that you just want to end it, but then you hang on to those little Things. You find the Things that made you fall in love in the first Place, and you fight. You love the person so much that you fight for it. And a love that big will be even harder to lose. A fling will die like a little spark in the end, but a love like this will break you if you lose it. It’s the kind of love that will never og away. It will leave you With a broken heart, to hard to fix.
7. What are a few of your favorite venues to play at?
   I don’t play any live gigs yet. So that I don’t know. Maybe I will in the future. But what I do know is that I have Places I really want to play. The Bluebird Cafe and The Listening Room in Nashville are of course on that list. But I reallu want to play some Places in the UK as well. I have just started out, so I Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
8. What do you like to do in your free time? 
   Since I am a stay at home mom I have a lot of free time. And I usually relax and sleep. Because that’s what I need to do because of my illness. But I also work on my Music. When the kids are home from School and kindergarden and my fiance is home from work, we spend time together as a Family. The most important time of the day. We can play games, watch a Movie, Dance in the living room. All those little Things are the Things I like to enjoy on my free time.
9. What is one of your favorite quotes?
   “Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent”
   ― Victor hugo
10. Is there anything else you would like to share?
    Yes there is! In February, my second single «I’m My Own Person* Will be released! I hope you all will like that one. It’s a good one. So keep Your eyes and ears open!
    And remember, I am just getting started. This is just the beginning.