Nikki Nouveau is an Australian-born classically-trained singer, songwriter, performing artist and producer fluent in Greek, French and English. Nikki Nouveau has a deep passion for inspiring audiences through music, language, and culture. As finalist of the Australian Women In Music Awards in the Live Creative Production category, she has built a reputation for her captivating performances. With an extensive career spanning both Australian and international stages in Paris, Edinburgh and NYC, Nikki Nouveau has toured consistently with her own productions, collaborating with industry professionals and renowned musicians along the way. Her musical style blends jazz, tango, bossa nova, cabaret and original compositions.
In 2026, Nikki Nouveau unveils Siren’s Dream, her third studio release and a luminous new EP melding ambient pop textures with haunting vocals. Inspired by her deep connection to the sea and the natural world, the collection explores themes of longing, bittersweet romance, and the inner world of a solitary siren searching for profound human connection. Featuring original songs performed in both French and English, the EP also includes a reimagined interpretation of the Greek pop classic “Thalassa Platia” by Manos Hadjidakis – a piece that holds special significance for Nikki Nouveau, reflecting the musical and cultural influences of her Hellenic upbringing.
With Siren’s Dream out now, we took some time to hear from Nikki Nouveau. Read below to learn more about Nikki Nouveau, the story behind Siren’s Dream, and what’s to come.
Hi Nikki Nouveau! Let’s start with how did you choose your artist name?
My artist name actually came from my first band, Peepshow Nouveau. The name “Nouveau” became such a defining part of my musical identity that, over time, it simply felt like it belonged to me. I eventually made it official and legally changed my name to Nouveau.
What city are you from, and where are you based now?
I was born and raised in Sydney, Australia, and am now based in Melbourne.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
I felt a deep connection to music from a very young age, and in particular towards singing. As a teenager, I took myself to my very first singing lesson, which happened to be in opera. That was really the beginning of my journey as a singer. I didn’t necessarily have a clear career plan at that age, but I knew that singing was something I had to pursue. Over time, that passion grew and evolved into a career in music.
How would you describe your sound?
I would describe my sound as eclectic and genre-fluid, blending classical textures with French and Greek language, jazz, and ambient pop. There’s an ethereal, storytelling quality to my music, but I like to introduce unexpected elements and influences along the way. Ultimately, I’d describe it as indie pop with a twist.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
Outside of music, I am a lover of cinema and film. I find watching films incredibly inspiring because they stimulate my imagination and often spark ideas for music, storytelling and writing. I love the way film can transport you into another world, evoke a particular atmosphere or emotion, and tell a story through sound and imagery. I think that has a strong influence on the way I create music too.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
I’d describe my musical influences as quite eclectic, but some of the artists who have particularly influenced me are Mazzy Star, Billie Eilish, Cigarettes After Sex and Madeleine Peyroux. I’m drawn to artists who create intimate, atmospheric worlds through their music, with a strong sense of mood, emotion and storytelling.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
I felt incredibly proud to tour my own musical production at the Festival Off Avignon in France last year. Performing around 20 shows was an extraordinary experience, but what made it even more meaningful was delivering the entire production in French. It was a significant milestone in my journey as an artist.
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is to trust myself and my intuition. I’ve learned to be brave enough to follow my inner voice, even when it leads me into unfamiliar territory. I’ve also learned the importance of rising to new challenges rather than limiting myself or playing it safe. Some of my most rewarding experiences have come from pushing beyond what I thought I was capable of and having the courage to try.
Now onto Siren’s Dream. What inspired this EP?
Siren’s Dream was inspired by my deep love of the ocean, Greek mythology and the mysterious world of the sea sirens. I’ve always been fascinated by the mythology surrounding these enchanting creatures and the idea of the siren as a symbol of desire and longing. At its heart, though, the EP is really about love and that universal longing for deep connection, intimacy and something that feels profound and almost otherworldly.
What is the overall theme of Siren’s Dream?
The overarching theme of Siren’s Dream is love and connection.
What was the inspiration behind the cover artwork for Siren’s Dream?
The cover artwork for Siren’s Dream was inspired by a sense of mystery and ethereal beauty. I wanted the imagery to capture the otherworldly atmosphere of the EP and evoke the feeling of being drawn into a surreal, underwater dream.
What was the creative process like when making Siren’s Dream?
The creative process behind Siren’s Dream was beautiful, soulful and transformative. I really enjoyed opening myself up to new vocal styles and exploring different ways of using my voice. Creating layers of rich vocal harmonies to build that dreamlike, ethereal atmosphere was particularly rewarding. It felt like a process of experimentation and discovery, and I loved allowing the music to evolve naturally as the project took shape.
How long did it take to complete Siren’s Dream?
Siren’s Dream took around 18 months to complete, which was longer than I initially anticipated. In some ways, the extended creative process allowed the project to evolve organically and gave me the time to really develop the sound and vision I wanted for it.
Is there a specific song on Siren’s Dream that speaks to you the most? If so, why?
Yes, the title track, “Siren’s Dream,” is particularly special to me. I wrote the song completely from scratch, beginning with a melody that came to me in my head. From there, I surrendered to the story of the Siren and allowed her to lead me creatively, almost as though she was guiding me towards the perfect sound journey to tell her tale. I really feel that the song became her voice. It evolved into a deeply emotional and atmospheric piece of music, beyond anything I could have imagined. I’m incredibly proud of what was created and love the emotional world that the song ultimately became.
How did the music video for “Siren’s Dream” come about? What was your vision for the video?
The vision for the music video was to offer an ambient, visual glimpse into the Siren’s surreal and otherworldly connection with nature and the universe. The video was designed to feel more like a dream than a traditional narrative, creating an atmospheric visual world that complements the emotion and mood of the song.
What do you hope fans take away from Siren’s Dream and your music in general?
I hope listeners feel a connection with the Siren and are drawn into her mysterious, dreamlike world. More than anything, I hope the music evokes a sense of nostalgia, longing and emotion. I’d love for listeners to lose themselves in the music for a little while and be drawn to something deep within themselves.
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?
Yes! My next show will be my long-running production, No Regrets: The Edith Piaf Story, at Paris Cat Jazz Club in Melbourne on Friday, 4 September. It’s a production that celebrates the extraordinary life, music and legacy of Edith Piaf through song and storytelling. I’m also looking forward to continuing to develop new music and live projects following the release of Siren’s Dream, so there is plenty more to come!
Where can we follow you on social media?
https://instagram.com/nikki_nouveau
https://instagram.com/nouveau.records
Thank you! ☺
Of course, thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
