I am Nika…

I am Nika… Maybe you’re here because you heard me yell that name live on stage, or you got here by swimming through some hidden doors, but welcome to you, traveler.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been a stargazer, a bird lover, a poet, a writer and a musician… Playing the violin ever since I was six, at that time, I exclusively listened to and played classical music. That is until I reached adulthood. At eighteen, I stumble upon, and started playing folk music and rock, all because I fell in love at first sight… with a voice, and with a certain mermaid inspired song. That said, let’s just say that this late autumn night, will forever be carved into my mind, as it is still, one of my lifetime, most precious memories.

The me, who had been heartbroken at the time and who had abandoned her violin in a dusty corner of her room, had gone to that bar because my friends, wanting to cheer me up, had told me that a cool band from Montreal was playing in town.  I really didn’t feel like going, after all, it had been over six months that I had completely forsaken music, but… I forced myself to go, even just for a change of mind.

 

I wondered. “How popular music could be this touching and beautiful? “

As the show began, I rediscovered music in all its beauty. Literally struck to my chair, I listened, bewitched by that folk/rock band touring in my birth city.  I wondered. “How popular music could be this touching and beautiful? “. During the mermaid song, I was on the verge of crying and soon after, came the intermission.  Overcome by deep emotions and unable to stop myself, I went up to speak with the owner of that magnificent voice.

He was a sweet and gentle man, but also a bit crazy.  I told him that I was a violin player and that I totally fell in love with their music, especially their last song.  I also told him: “I am impressed, for a singer, you sing in tune lol, it’s pretty rare.” He replied: “Thank you “. Then suddenly added: “Where is your violin?” I replied: “At home.” (My house was about fifteen minutes away by car.) He then said: “My guitar player will go with you to pick it up, let’s do the second set together! I always wanted to try playing with a violinist.”  I couldn’t believe my ears, my head spinning as if in a trance, but captivated, I just obeyed the mysterious man and went home with a total stranger to go get my violin. My mind now excited about the seeming infinite possibilities.

 

here I was, standing on stage, feeling like a shooting star…

It was truly one of the craziest experiences of my life. Playing for the first time, something other than classical, with these three strangers, and on songs that I had never heard before. The bass player and I, even jammed on Bizet “Habanera” from Carmen after I asked him “Hey can you play “Re, La Fa La Re…? “… Our new audience went crazy as they went from surprises to surprises and overwhelmed by emotions, here I was, standing on stage, feeling like a shooting star… All of it felt so surreal, as if like walking inside a wonderful dream. After that, we kept contact and I soon became an official member of that band. I moved out of my parents on Christmas Eve of that same year, and left with them, starting on a journey, as we toured all around Quebec. I never looked back or came back home again, except to pay short visits to my family.

That mysterious night changed me forever and was the starting point of a new life and of my adventures as a violin player and as a woman…

 

Like the mermaid of tales, I wanted to enchant people’s souls

Years later, after having played in many bands and alongside many singer song writers from Montreal all the way to Japan, I made a decision. From now on, Nika would be a solo artist. That tantalizing dream I secretly cherished, and that was growing in my heart from years earlier, was getting stronger, and slowly taking over my mind. I wanted to be my own voice, and with it, introduce instrumental music, even my beloved classical music to the general public. To bring music closer to people by letting them see it through a new light. Like the mermaid of tales, I wanted to enchant people’s souls, by letting my violin sing on wordless songs.

 

So, Welcome to my fairy-tale. I am Nika “Cantabile” as if singing, a stargazing mermaid hitting the seas armed with her violin, a quill, and a name given to me by fans

Walk into my world of lights and shadows and brave the stormy seas. Jump into this boat without oars and let the unique “voice”, that I have been blessed with, reach your heart. Let it be the gentle glow that warms you and guides your path. Together, let’s cross misty falls, dance under moonlit carnivals and watch many beautiful sunrises, as we embark on this mystical journey to transform and paint your world with sounds and dreams… 

I look forward to many more, sometimes hard, sometimes ugly, but always worthwhile experiences crossing our path.

Thank you for being a listener and for making it all matter.

Enjoy,

Nika xxx

 

 

 

 

 

P.S. If you’d like to hear my latest creations, click here.

P.P.S. Here it is especially for you, that voice and that special song, the one that would become one of the triggers that changed my whole life…

Victime-Maritime (French song from Quebec)

Lyrics by Karine Landry

Music by Martin Robichaud

Violin by Nika Cantabile


Nika Cantabile
Nika Cantabile

Nika Cantabile is an art-rock artist who takes her love of both music and literacy and intertwines them into one unique sound that has elements of Japanese, Roma and Celtic music with her own twist. Inspired by everyone from Tori Amos, Japanese guitarist AKIHIDE, Tolkien and Anne Rice, Nika has always had a way with creating stories around her music. * Nika as a Yamaha Canada representative, is performing on the Yamaha five strings electric YEV105 and SV255 models .