ESP #100 w/ Nikita Lev

It's our 100th episode! and we're joined by NYC-based songwriter Nikita Lev. We discuss Nikita's brand new EP, Suspend, her upbringing in Manhattan, music influences, and the culture and music scene New York City. Suspend reflects the city that shaped her. Born and raised in a household steeped in music – from chamber ensembles to 90s alt-rock – Nikita began writing songs at ten years old. After a brief stint in LA, she returned to New York with a sharper edge and deeper sense of artistic identity. That energy drives every part of Suspend, a collection that fuses delicate songwriting with raw emotion, full of moments that are both bruised and luminous. The latest single “⁠No One Is Gonna⁠” a warm, emotionally rich reflection on love and presence – on what it means to feel fully connected to someone, even if only for a fleeting moment. Nikita shares insights into her songwriting process with her guitarist/producer and we delve into the challenges of navigating political discourse within the arts, the impact of AI on music creation, and the importance of authenticity in artistic expression. The conversation also touches on the role of cover songs and tribute bands in the music industry, as well as her future projects and artistic collaborations. Momentum continues to build for Nikita, from the dreamlike unease of “Kill Her Mind” to the quiet certainty of “No One Is Gonna,” Nikita continues to establish herself as one of indie-pop’s most emotionally resonant new voices. With each release, she invites listeners deeper into her world – a place where introspection, contradiction, and beauty coexist in delicate tension. Website | Apple Music | Spotify | Instagram | X | YouTube Eclectic Soundtrax Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠| ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ESP Playlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ **SUPPORT ORIGINAL MUSIC CREATED BY HUMANS!**