Catch up with NYC-based vocalist Diana Hickman and listen to her latest single "Room With No Ceiling" off her forthcoming debut EP, South Of Your Thoughts, to be released March 3rd.
What got you interested in music?
Diana: My parents bought me a keyboard when I was 5 and started me in lessons. I won a school talent show competition in first grade playing a song and got tickets for 2 free frozen yogurts. My mom says I was hooked from there.
Which musicians have you been influenced by?
Beethoven, Bach, Ella Fitzgerald, Joni Mitchell, Bjork, Pink Floyd, The Doors, Bill Withers, Radiohead, Portishead, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse.
If you were to make a playlist for your fans, what three songs - from other artists - would you have to include?
Gil Scott-Heron - "New York Is Killing Me"
Vulfpeck - "Christmas in L.A."
Tame Impala - "New Person, Same Old Mistakes"
Which words would you use to describe your sound?
Cinematic, echo chamber with gentle reflectors.
What were your inspirations behind your new single "Room With No Ceiling"?
Complicated love.
Is that indicative of what we can expect to hear on your new EP and could you tell us more about South Of Your Thoughts?
Not really? Each song is kinda in a genre of its own, I think. Couple of them really match up. I was a little worried to put them all together like they are, but now I’m happy with how it turned out. It’s all listenable, one after the other.
How would you sum up that EP in one sentence?
Sitting in a hammock swing chair in a cozy cave with good lighting and gold hieroglyphics to look at.
What do you hope listeners are able to take away from your music?
Hopefully what I try to give off as a person… a soothing vibe where you can feel comfortable and heard.
Is there anything you want to add?
Happy to report my first music video is coming out very soon, like, probably next month, and then March 2nd is my release party at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2, 7:00 PM.