The WiMN’s Front and Center is a weekly column that showcases accomplished women who work in the music and audio industries. We spotlight successful female performers, manufacturers, retailers, educators, managers, publicists, and everyone else in between. Want to be featured? Learn how here.
Front and Center: Drummer, Singer-Songwriter & Composer, Nicole Marcus
By Lina Bhambhani
Nicole Marcus is a Los Angeles-based drummer, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer. She holds a Bachelor’s degree with honors in studio music and jazz drum set performance from University of Miami’s Frost School of Music.
After completing college, Marcus moved to New York City and launched her career as drummer for the original off-Broadway production of Dear Edwina. In addition to playing drums for other artists, Nicole began performing her original music around the city, singing and playing guitar in various venues.
She later moved to Los Angeles where she played drums, guitar, keyboards and percussion on the first season of Glee, and more. Throughout 2013, Nicole travelled around the United States, Canada and Japan playing drums for the international tour of Hair.
Upon returning home from tour, Nicole started recording her self-titled EP, which was produced by Fernando Perdomo and mixed/mastered by Grammy-winner Zach Ziskin. Marcus played all the instruments and sang lead vocal on every track. She is currently performing around Los Angeles in support of the release, as well as drumming with many other artists.
In addition to her drumming and songwriting career, Marcus is a composer and producer, available to score projects for film, television, theatre, commercials and more. She delivers the product complete with lyrics, melody, arrangement and instrumentation. Her recent credits include scoring a scene in the web series Words With Girls and composing an original song for the Hollywood Fringe Festival play, The Load-In.
Check out Nicole Marcus’s interview below to find more, and visit her online at nicolemarcusmusic.com.
WiMN: Where is your hometown?
NM: I was born and raised in a little town called Tamarac, Florida.
WiMN: Can you tell us about your introduction to music?
NM: You know that line from the ABBA song, “she said I began to sing before I could talk?” That was me. My parents always had music playing in the house growing up. The Beatles, Beach Boys, Carly Simon, Judy Collins, CSNY, Bob and Ziggy Marley, Carole King, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen. Always something great coming through the speakers in the Marcus household.
WiMN: Who are some of your biggest influences?
NM: Joni Mitchell is at the top of my list. To me, she exemplifies what it is to be a musician and a writer. Her lyrics, melodies, harmonies, arrangements, performances on the records and on stage are all incredible. Everything I value most in a musician, she does at the highest, most sincere level.
WiMN: What was the first instrument you learned to play, and how did you fall into learning others?
NM: The first instrument I played was piano. In fifth grade, we were allowed to join the school band. Since there isn’t a piano in concert band, I decided to pick a new instrument. I chose drums and fell in love with them. I picked up the guitar in college when I started to get really into songwriting and playing my original music live. And all the other instruments spawn from the songwriter/producer side where I want to play whatever it is I’m hearing in my head. Also, I love the sound of a mandolin!
WiMN: How would you define your style?
NM: The album I have out now is in the alt-country/folk-pop genre. Anyone who likes Sheryl Crow, Maren Morris, Cam, Michelle Branch would probably dig my music. I love every genre of music and am always writing in different genres and playing drums for others in different genres, so the audiences I’d like to attract are anyone and everyone who enjoys the music!
WiMN: Any last comments?
NM: Thank you so much for choosing me for this interview! You can find me on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Apple Music and at the following social links:
facebook.com/nicolemarcusmusic