Nick Gaines, a student at Millikin and singer-songwriter of his own from the Chicagoland suburbs, is our first featured artist of the year.

Well-known among his peers, Gaines is self-published (his latest EP entitled “Subject To Change”) and forthcoming with his own music. He has performed countless times on Millikin’s campus and in the Decatur area. His fan base, who knows Gaines for his unique voice, folk-sy guitar and soulful style, is growing consistently and largely.

At one of his biggest performance in the Lincoln Center, he opened for the Chicago-native band Sidewalk Chalk. Having been to multiple performances of Gaines’s, this one was seriously striking and left the audience feeling both emotionally exhausted and stimulated.

Gaines played a mix of his own songs and covers, and even featured a vocalist friend of his by the name of Hannah Lieb. I Both fans and new listeners of Gaines’s music were there to experience the show, which left Gaines with a fresh new pool of fans and a recharged set of longtime fans.

That was the end of the last school year, and now students returned to Millikin, excited to experience the vast array of Millikin’s talent, and eager to see what Gaines is going to bring to the forefront. I was lucky enough to sit down with Gaines and talk about his coming into music, his path since, and his thoughts on music in general.

Before we talk about your music career, tell us why you are here at Millikin. What are you studying and why?

Gaines: Well I’m a music business major, and I’m here to help myself better understand music and the industry that I wish to be a part of.

When did you first involve yourself with music? Tell us about the first song you wrote.

Gaines: I started writing music when I was 13. The first song I ever wrote was called “Alive.” It was a pretty emotional song, but I lacked the understanding at the time to produce a natural sounding mix, as I recorded it all myself in my office at my old house. It’s actually still on iTunes and Spotify because I used one of those distro sites (which I stopped paying for meaning that I am unsure if I still even own the rights to the song. that was a learning experience).

What/who motivates you to express yourself through music?

Gaines: As far as motivation goes I’ve always loved music, so I never found it to be a chore or something that I would even need motivation to do. I’ve always loved the way that music helped me express feelings that I didn’t have the courage to in words.

Not to say I don’t have my inspirations. People like Allen Stone, Dave Matthews and Stevie Wonder have really helped me shape my sound. Although I don’t think it’s so much a copy as a combination of these inspirations and my environment that made me rely on music for an emotional outlet.

Take us through the process of writing a song. How does it start? Where does it lead? How long does it usually take?

Gaines: Well my writing process is usually quite natural. I don’t usually sit down intending to write a song at least not anymore I used to. More recently I will be noodling around on guitar and I’ll play something that sounds cool, and I just kind of go with it. The last song I wrote came to me at three in the morning. It’s a song called “Prisoner.”

Do you have a favorite song that you have written or covered?

Gaines: Yes. My favorite cover tune is “Crazy Gnarles Barkley.” I’ve been playing it for so long that it’s cool to see the progression of it as I’ve grown as a musician.

What obstacles do you face in trying to get your name and music out into the vast music world? How have you overcome some of them?

Gaines: You are always going to find obstacles in whatever you are doing, and I’ve had my fair share.  During my first year of guitar playing, I tried to learn left-handed on a right-handed guitar.

Do you ever have writers block? How do you surpass it? Is there any way of avoiding it?

Gaines: Writer’s block can come up, but again I don’t usually force songs. I kind of just wait for them to come to me.

How does music help you grow as a person?

Gaines: Music has helped me deal with my emotions better than I used to. I used to get very angry and reserved, and I went through a lot as a youth. It helped make what I was going through more manageable and less self-destructive.

How is music cathartic to you? Emotionally, mentally, physically?

Gaines: Music just makes me happy. I feel good making it and listening to it. I feel I’m my truest self when I’m performing.

What are your plans for this school year, and when can we expect to see you performing again?

Gaines: Well my first show is on Sept. 15 at ATOs Gator Bash. I’m going to be playing some new stuff and Dan Rausch is going to be playing with me. It should be a great show. As far as plans for the school year, I’m looking to record an album pretty soon here in Millitrax -my first full length release.

Keep an eye out for Gaines as he continues to grow as an incredible singer-songwriter. It’s not often that you find this level of talent in such a small place. I know I will cherish every moment of it and go to every show I can! We, the Decaturian staff, hope to see you there too!