As an alternative music artist, I’ve spent a lot of time with my “head in the clouds,” dreaming up atmospheric music and cinematic soundscapes. But I’ve also spent plenty of time face-to-face with the “storms” of self-doubt. In my own process of creating songs like “Rain Deluge” and “Dunkman (I can Feel It),” I’ve realized that the biggest hurdles aren’t usually technical. They’re emotional and philosophical.
Hello there. I’m so glad you found your way here. Whether you’ve been following my journey at NVL Music for a while or you just stumbled in out of the digital rain, please know you are invited and welcome. Pull up a chair, stay as long as you’d like, and let’s talk about something that’s been on my heart lately: the struggle to find, and keep, our creative voice.
I call my guiding light Prima Voca, the “first voice.” It’s that initial spark of sincerity and imagination that exists before the world (or our own inner critic) starts telling us what we “should” do.
Here are seven mistakes I see so many of us making with our creative voices, and how returning to that “first voice” can help us find our way home.
1. Chasing the Lightning of Virality
We live in a world that worships the “viral moment.” It’s easy to feel like if a song doesn’t explode on a 15-second clip, it’s a failure. But chasing a trend is like trying to bottle lightning while standing in a drought, it’s exhausting and rarely works.
The Prima Voca Fix: Focus on building a “body of work” instead of a “viral hit.” When I wrote “A Toast to My Friends,” I wasn’t thinking about algorithms; I was thinking about the people I love. Sincerity has a much longer shelf life than a trend. Longevity comes from being an artist who tells a story across a series of releases, creating a cohesive arc that listeners can actually live inside of.
2. Ignoring My Intuition (The “First Voice”)
Have you ever had a melody or a lyric pop into your head that felt right, only to discard it because it felt too simple, too weird, or didn’t fit a specific genre? That’s could be you silencing your Prima Voca.
The Prima Voca Fix: Trust that first instinct. My music often centers on the human voice as both an instrument and a storyteller. Sometimes that means a song stays raw and “storm-like,” and other times it’s reflective and quiet. If it feels honest to you, it will feel honest to someone else. Don’t let analytical constraints kill the imagination.
3. Over-Polishing the Soul Out of the Room
There is a dangerous temptation to edit, tune, and “fix” a track until every human quirk is gone. We want to sound professional, so we scrub away the breath, the slight crack in the voice, or the “wrong” note that actually held all the emotion.
The Prima Voca Fix: Prioritize heart over perfection. Some of my favorite moments in my music are the ones that aren’t perfectly polished. They are the moments that feel like a real person in a real room. I often say that, I’d rather be open-hearted and vulnerable than “perfect” and cold.
4. Disconnecting from the Story
In the world of atmospheric music, it’s easy to get lost in “vibes.” Vibes are great, but without a story or an intention, they can feel like a beautiful house with no one living inside.
The Prima Voca Fix: Treat every sound as a storyteller. Whether I’m working on immersive, cinematic soundscapes or a more playful track, I ask: What is the emotional arc here? Even if there are no words, the “voice” of the composition should lead the listener somewhere.
5. Fearing the “New” (The Tech vs. Heart Myth)
There’s a lot of talk lately about AI vocals and new tech in music. Some people feel that using these tools is “cheating” or insincere. But a tool is just a tool. A paintbrush doesn’t have a soul, the artist does.
The Prima Voca Fix: Remember that sincerity comes from the intent, not just the instrument. If I use an AI vocal to capture a specific “first voice” idea that I couldn’t otherwise reach, but the heart and imagination behind it are mine, then the result is still an authentic piece of my world. Don’t let fear of new tools stop you from exploring your imagination.
6. Living in a “Work-in-Progress” Purgatory
I’ll be the first to admit it: I have plenty of raw drafts and snippets that make me feel vulnerable. The mistake is staying in that “draft” phase forever because you’re scared to show the world something that isn’t finished.
The Prima Voca Fix: Embrace the “work-in-progress” nature of life. I love sharing snippets in The Listening Room. It’s a low-pressure way to say, “Hey, this is where I am right now.” Being transparent about your process invites people into your journey, making them feel like guests in your home rather than just customers.
7. Gatekeeping Your Own Enthusiasm
Sometimes we try to act “cool” or detached because we don’t want to seem too eager. We hide our “goofy” side or our genuine excitement. But that detachment is a wall between you and your audience.
The Prima Voca Fix: Be earnest! Use that exclamation mark! Share that weird idea! My work is for everyone who craves substance and imagination. Disagreement is okay, and not everyone will “get” it, but being yourself: goofy, sincere, and all: is the only way to find the people who truly do.
A Parting Thought
Building a creative voice isn’t about finding a destination; it’s about learning to trust the compass of your own heart. If you find yourself drifting toward trends or feeling lost in the noise, just stop and listen for that Prima Voca. It’s still there, waiting for you to notice it again.
Thank you for spending this time with me. If you’re looking for a place to start your own atmospheric journey, maybe give “Rain Deluge” a listen. And remember, you’re always welcome back here at NVL Music whenever you need a little more sincerity in your day. 🙂
Stay creative,
Nicole
(s) 2026 Prima Voca