Can you please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your musical journey and background?
I’m Micah Nicol, from Wapakoneta, OH. I grew up playing bluegrass gospel and country music with my father then studied Music Production and Engineering as a pianist at Berklee College of Music. I have had stints as a semi professional musical theater actor, competitive dancer, clown and magician. I now am bandleader of original bluegrass outfit The Ruta Beggars, half of the duo Bookmatch and an in demand sideman, session musician, engineer and videographer.
Musical Influences
a Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound and style?
I have always loved the energy of bluegrass music, and grew up on Vernon McIntyre (a la Jimmy Martin), The Isaacs, Blue Highway, and The Louvin Brothers. When I discovered the harmonies of the Carpenters and Jacob Collier, I fell in love with the way voices can be stacked and arrangements can fit together like an audio puzzle.
Can you share a specific artist or album that has had a significant impact on your music?
I had a small obsession with Bobby McFerrin in middle school. Each day after school, I would spend the entire walk home continuously and spontaneously inventing music with just my voice and body. I love his joy and creativity!
Creative Process
What’s your creative process like when you’re composing or writing a new song?
I’m typically struck with a catchy or otherwise interesting line with both the melody and lyrics fully intact. From there, I build the song out around that phrase to maximize the impact of my initial hook as my north star. The process is very gut and intuition driven, often starting with babbles and nonsense mumbles until the words that end up being kept fall out of my mouth.
Favorite Song
Among all the songs you’ve created, do you have a personal favorite? If so, what makes it special to you?
I have appreciated the connections I have made with audience members through our song I’ll Never Forget. It is a dedication to my grandparents in honor of all those affected by memory loss, so it has started plenty of meaningful conversations with fans about their personal experiences. And the recordings came out so beautifully!
Can you share the story or inspiration behind that particular song?
My maternal grandfather developed Alzheimer’s around the time I was developing lasting memories. In this way, I felt I never truly knew him as we were ships in the night in each other’s memory. I’ll Never Forget is a dedication to all of my grandparents and the stories they told about falling in love.
Latest Song
Let’s talk about your latest song. What’s the title, and what’s the story or message behind it?
Papa’s Got Ahold of the Wine tells the story of a father who leans into alcohol after the death of his wife. Written in 2018, the song is built around a catchy chorus that the audience can dance to and sing along with. This mismatched collision of a hard-to-swallow lyrical message underpinned by peppy instrumental backing is a hallmark of the bluegrass genre. Stemming from that tradition, Papa’s Got Ahold of the Wine is an epitaph one can dance to.
Live Performances
Share a memorable or unique experience from one of your live performances.
Our favorite moments in every performance are the ones where we feel connected. Oftentimes two of us will lock eyes with each other while we step back from the microphone to support the soloist or singers, and a knowing wink and a smile say more than words ever could.
Hobbies and Interests
Beyond music, do you have any hobbies or interests that you’re passionate about? How do they influence your music?
I’ve been a performing magician and clown since before I ever started performing music. It’s now very rare for me to twist a balloon or say “pick a card” as part of a show, but I do still ride a unicycle as my method of local transportation. Not only is my time riding the unicycle great exercise and a perfect opportunity to think through songs, but it’s also in line with my performing goal of brightening the days of all the folks whose paths I happen to cross.
Collaborations
Is there a dream collaboration you’d like to pursue in the future?
Within the bluegrass genre, I’d be floored to collaborate with my heroes who I grew up hearing: Union Station, Del McCoury, Doyle Lawson, Junior Sisk, and so many others. Outside of that, a dream collaborator of mine would be Jacob Collier.
Advice for Aspiring Musicians
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are just starting their journey in the music industry?
Every aspect of life, even as it pertains to a music career, is a marathon not a sprint. Aim for longevity over shortsighted success, don’t do anything that will hurt you, take care of your body, practice non-judgemental listening and self-acceptance. Being good at something is equal parts working on the parts that are difficult and loving it enough to continue. Improve a little bit every day and chase the sound that you love.
Upcoming Projects
Can you give us a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or new music you have in the works? What can your fans and listeners look forward to from you in the near future?
In the middle of March 2024 we are recording our 4th album in Nashville at Forty-one Fifteen Studios with Jim VanCleve producing on the Skyline Record Label. It’s full of new original music that has been in the works for many years and is ushering in a new era for The Ruta Beggars.