Nicki Sage is an alt-pop artist and visual storyteller driven by emotion, movement, and meaning. Her songs blend soaring melodies with raw honesty, exploring themes of resilience, transformation, and self-discovery. Every lyric feels like a journal entry—deeply personal yet universally relatable. Drawing from pop, rock, alternative, and electronic influences, her work balances contemporary energy with an earthy, genre-blending spirit.
As both an artist and visual storyteller, Nicki Sage incorporates movement, choreography, and atmosphere into her creative work, building immersive experiences that extend beyond the music itself. Whether through a song, performance, or music video, she is passionate about creating art that makes people feel seen, understood, and empowered. Her latest single, “Back to Me,” reflects that mission—an anthem of self-reclamation that celebrates finding your voice, trusting yourself again, and choosing your own path forward.
With “Back to Me” out now, we took some time to hear from Nicki Sage. Read below to learn more about Nicki Sage, the story behind “Back to Me,” and what’s to come.
Hi Nicki Sage! Let’s start with how did you choose your artist name?
When I lived in Colorado, I spent a lot of time hiking in the mountains, and one of my favorite experiences was finding wild sage growing along the trails. There was something grounding and almost spiritual about those moments—being surrounded by nature, breathing in the scent of fresh sage, and feeling connected to something bigger than myself.
Over time, sage came to hold a special place in my heart. It symbolizes growth, wisdom, healing, and finding clarity through life’s experiences—all themes that naturally show up in my music. Though I had been going by many different stage names over the course of my professional career, during that particular period of my life, I felt spiritually compelled for a complete “rebirth.” And that is when “Nicki Sage” was born.
What city are you from, and where are you based now?
I’m from the Cincinnati area and am currently based there. Throughout my career, I’ve mainly been based out of the bigger music cities including Nashville, Denver, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Atlanta. Each hub has shaped me both personally and creatively in so many ways and I do find there to be an immense benefit in residing inside an industry hub.
However, after the end of a significant relationship—the same chapter of my life that inspired my latest single, “Back to Me”—I made the decision to temporarily move back to Cincinnati to be around my family while I rebuilt and refocused. In many ways, that period of healing and self-discovery became the foundation for the song.
Today, I continue performing throughout the Midwest while regularly traveling between Cincinnati and Nashville. Staying connected to multiple music communities has allowed me to keep growing as an artist while remaining grounded in what matters most. While Cincinnati is where I’m currently based, my long-term plans include expanding my touring footprint and eventually relocating back to Los Angeles as I continue building the next chapter of my career.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started playing piano when I was six years old, later played clarinet throughout middle school in both concert band and jazz band, and eventually taught myself guitar. The moment everything clicked was when I wrote my first song at fourteen. That was when I realized music wasn’t just something I loved—it was how I processed the world around me.
After high school, I decided to take a leap of faith and head to Nashville with little more than a guitar, a bag, and a dream. Looking back, it was probably a little reckless, but I knew I had to give myself a chance to pursue music wholeheartedly. That decision led me on a journey that would take me far beyond Nashville. Over the years, I’ve lived, worked, toured, and performed in a wide variety of cities across the US, learning from every experience, every milestone, every setback, and every stage along the way.
How would you describe your sound?
I’d describe my sound as emotionally driven alt-pop that blends pop-rock, electronic, and contemporary influences. I’m drawn to music that makes people feel something, so I love pairing honest storytelling with strong melodies, dynamic production, and visual artistry. Whether a song is energetic or vulnerable, I always want it to feel authentic and emotionally connected. My goal is to create music that people can both escape into and see themselves in.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
Dance is a huge creative outlet for me and plays a major role in how I express myself as an artist. I also enjoy photography, videography, and content creation. A lot of my inspiration comes from finding ways to connect music, movement, and storytelling into one cohesive experience.
I also love spending time outdoors whenever I can. Some of my best ideas come when I step away from a screen, get out into nature, and give myself space to think and reflect. Whether it’s hiking, walking, or just sitting somewhere quiet, those moments help me reconnect with myself creatively.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
Tate McRae has been a huge influence because of the way she combines music, movement, and performance into a complete artistic vision. Taylor Swift has also inspired me as a songwriter and storyteller.
As a producer and songwriter, Max Martin has probably been my biggest overall influence. What I admire most about his work is his ability to make songs feel effortless while still being incredibly intentional. His songwriting, melodic instincts, and understanding of emotional dynamics have shaped so much of modern pop music. He has a gift for creating records that are commercially powerful without sacrificing emotional impact, and that’s something I constantly strive for in my own work.
I also love pulling inspiration from different genres and creative disciplines to create something that feels authentic and uniquely my own.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
Tate McRae. I admire how she combines songwriting, performance, choreography, and visual storytelling into a complete artistic experience. As someone who values all of those elements, I think a collaboration would be an incredible creative experience.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
One of my proudest accomplishments is being able to do music full-time. There were plenty of moments when that path felt uncertain, so the fact that I’ve been able to build a life around music is something I never take for granted.
I’m also incredibly proud of the community and opportunities I’ve built through music over the years. Every stage, every city, and every person who has connected with my work has become part of that journey. Releasing and playing music that genuinely reflects who I am as an artist and being able to share it with people is something I’ll never stop being grateful for.
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
One of the biggest lessons that I’ve learned is that growth comes from consistency. The music industry can be unpredictable, and not every opportunity or release goes exactly as planned. I’ve learned that showing up, staying authentic, and continuing to improve your craft matters far more than chasing perfection.
I’ve also learned that comparison can be one of the biggest obstacles to creativity. It’s easy to look around and feel like you’re behind, but everyone is on a different timeline. The most meaningful progress happens when you focus on becoming a better version of yourself instead of measuring your journey against someone else’s.
Now onto your release, “Back to Me.” What inspired this song? What is “Back to Me” about?
“Back to Me” was inspired by the experience of losing myself in a relationship and having to rediscover who I was after it ended. Over time, I found myself prioritizing someone else’s needs, expectations, and vision for my life over my own. Little by little, I lost touch with my voice, my confidence, and the person I was before the relationship.
The song follows the journey of recognizing that loss, breaking free from the patterns that kept me stuck, and finding my way back to myself. At its core, Back to Me is about self-worth, healing, and realizing that choosing yourself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. It’s about understanding that love should never require you to abandon who you are, shrink your dreams, or lose sight of your own path.
While the song comes from a very personal chapter of my life, I hope it resonates with anyone who has ever felt disconnected from themselves. Whether it’s because of a relationship, a difficult season, or simply losing confidence in your own voice, Back to Me is a reminder that you always have the power to reclaim your strength, trust yourself again, and find your way back to who you are.
What was the inspiration behind the cover artwork for “Back to Me?”
The beach imagery represents freedom, clarity, and new beginnings. The song is about breaking free from something that no longer serves you, and I wanted the artwork to capture that feeling of openness and possibility that comes with choosing yourself and moving forward.
The feeling of standing at the edge of the ocean has always represented freedom to me. It reminds me that no matter how overwhelming life feels in the moment, there’s always space to breathe, reset, and begin again.
What was the creative process like when making “Back to Me?”
It definitely started with the emotional concept before anything else. I knew I wanted to write about the process of rediscovering yourself after losing your sense of identity in a relationship.
At the time, I was navigating the aftermath of a breakup that completely changed the direction of my life. I had recently moved back home, was rebuilding from the ground up, and found myself questioning who I was outside of that relationship. Writing became a way of processing those emotions and turning them into something meaningful.
Once the message became clear, the lyrics, melody, and production all developed around it. I wanted the song to feel empowering while still carrying emotional depth—something people could dance to while also connecting with on a personal level.
How long did it take to complete “Back to Me?”
Like many songs, it evolved over time. The initial idea came together relatively quickly, but refining the production, arrangement, and final details took several months. I wanted every part of the song to support the story it was telling and make sure the final version felt true to the message.
What is your favorite lyric in “Back to Me” and why?
My favorite lyric is: “You trapped me in your house of cards ’cause my paper dreams broke your heart.”
That line captures one of the deepest themes in the song. It’s about feeling trapped in someone else’s chaos while trying to hold onto your own dreams and identity.
Sometimes people look at creative ambitions and dismiss them as unrealistic, shallow, money-driven, or superficial—what the song calls “paper dreams.” But when music is your career, your purpose, and something you’ve sacrificed so much for, those dreams aren’t paper at all—they’re real.
To me, that lyric is about being with someone who never fully respected or understood the things that mattered most to me. Music wasn’t a hobby—it was my life, my career, and my future. When someone sees the thing you care most about as insignificant, selfish, or superficial, it can make you question yourself. That line is about finally realizing that you shouldn’t have to shrink your dreams to make someone else comfortable.
What do you hope fans take away from “Back to Me” and your music in general?
I hope people walk away feeling empowered. Whether it’s Back to Me or any of my other songs, I want listeners to know they’re not alone in what they’re experiencing.
If my music can help someone feel seen, understood, or inspired to trust themselves again, then I’ve accomplished what I set out to do. We all go through periods where we lose our way, and I hope this song reminds people that they have the strength to find themselves again.
What’s next? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
I’m currently working on new music and continuing to expand the visual side of my artistry through performance and video projects. “Back to Me” is just one piece of a larger creative chapter, and I’m excited to keep building on that momentum.
I’m also currently developing the official music video for “Back to Me.” The video will be released as part of the second phase of the campaign and expands on the song’s themes of identity, healing, and self-reclamation. I’m excited to bring that story to life visually and share another side of the song with listeners.
Fans can catch me performing throughout the Cincinnati area this summer, including an upcoming appearance at Radio Artifact in Cincinnati on July 11th, Fibonacci Brewing in Cincinnati on July 18th. More information on my shows and appearances can be found on my website or Bandsintown.
Beyond that, I’m continuing to release new music, create visual content, and explore ways to bring movement and storytelling even deeper into my work. There’s a lot more on the way, and I can’t wait to share what’s next.
Where can we follow you on social media?
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickisageofficial
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nickisageofficial
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nickisage
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nickisage
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/49SOn9fUGMOnFks3HlBjLp
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/nickisage
Before you go, let’s ask an off-topic question. What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?
A lot of people know me as a musician, but I’m just as fascinated by what happens behind the scenes. I’m constantly studying songwriting, production, choreography, cinematography, and marketing because I love understanding how all the pieces of an artist’s world fit together.
I can spend hours breaking down why a song hits emotionally, why a music video works, or why a certain performance feels unforgettable. For me, creating music is only part of the process—I’m equally passionate about building the entire experience around it.
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
