Conversations with Mikki Zip

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mikki Zip.

Alright, thank you for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
I first began performing on stage with my guitar when I was 10, but I started writing and singing way before that. I have a musical theatre background which began when I was 3 years old. Despite being from New York, I grew up in country music. I had watched my uncle, TJ Sacco, perform around stages with his band in Syracuse since I was little, and that gave me huge motivation to want to do the same thing when I grew up. I moved to Nashville when I was 13, just a couple of weeks before I started high school. I started singing cover sets at BBQ joints, coffee shops, fairs, basically anywhere that would let me in the door to perform! After high school, I went to college in LA and NYC for Performing Arts. There I learned how to preserve my voice and honestly tell a story through any song. When I graduated, I returned to Nashville in 2020 and hopped right back into performing my sets. This was when I began performing in more writer’s rounds, being able to share my music. I now have two singles released to all streaming services this year, 2022. This year also brought on something I had needed for years, my band! I have a great group of guys, Alex Mondine, Zach Johnson, and Ian Silva, backing me at many of my shows now. Ian Silva is actually who produced my latest singles. Through having a full band and being surrounded by these guys, I have become more creative on stage and in writing, always excited to keep working hard and seeing where my journey leads next.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There are always trials and tribulations when you are chasing a dream. On a path like this, you get told no a lot, and you have to form a very thick skin. You realize that maybe you aren’t for everybody, which is totally okay. Staying true to what you do and love is important. Throughout this journey, I’ve learned a lot about staying self-motivated and realizing that even a no, for one thing, can open an opportunity for something else.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an independent singer/songwriter here in Nashville, TN! I love to write in the style of country music because it is a genre where most songs tell a story. In my music, you can find an old-school country influence, a little rock-n-roll, and today’s modern sound. I always love to paint a picture with my lyrics, which is missing in many songs today. As you hear the words of my songs, I want you to be able to see everything playing out in your head, almost like a movie. I am proud of some of the awesome shows and opportunities I’ve had this year, including performing at Nashville’s historic exit/in and at The Listening Room in Pigeon Forge. I am also proud of the two singles I have released so far this year, “Losing Me” and “Poor Mama,” which you can hear wherever you listen to music!

I am releasing a new single called “Holding Hands” on December 16th.

Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share? We’re always looking for lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis.
The times of Covid forced people to learn a lot about themselves. I sat at home, just itching to be on a stage, telling me what I already knew, that this dream was my path. As many artists may say, music is what got me through Covid. Sitting down with my guitar and writing a song helped my day-to-day, even if it was just inspired by the four walls around me and not much else, seeing as though we couldn’t leave our homes! I took time to realize what and who I wanted to carry with me when that period was over, and country music was definitely at the top of that list.

Pricing:

• I have merch that is avaliable at the link on my webstie: MikkiZip.com

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mikkizip.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikkizip_official/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikkizip/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lKXo_NDlDgUSZkGTLVVxA
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3brlZ30CWj3LzGpTgI0gRN?si=tsMtDHeGQb2taW8IxNrP9w

Image Credits
All concert photos (besides Listening Room)- Eli Silva (@e.s.refract on instagram) Photoshoot photos- Julia Pegis (@compassandcaravan)