Finding the Right Words with Nico Play
Nico Play’s music exists in the space between languages, cultures, and personal histories, weaving together a bilingual narrative that feels both deeply personal and expansive.
Born in Mexico City, raised in Virginia, and now calling Chicago home, his work is an evolving exploration of identity, belonging, and artistic instinct. Singing in both Spanish and English, he doesn’t impose boundaries on his songwriting—he lets the music dictate its own language, embracing the fluidity of expression.
With influences ranging from Fleet Foxes' harmonic landscapes to the indie scenes of Richmond, VA, Nico Play’s sound carries both nostalgia and reinvention. His stripped-down acoustic EP and earlier layered singles reflect a songwriter comfortable in transition, always refining his approach while staying true to the core of his craft. Ahead of his return to Gainesville, he talks about his journey, his time recording at Pulp Arts, and what continues to drive him as an artist.
How do you decide which stories to tell in Spanish and which in English? How do these choices shape your artistic process?
There are certain things that are more natural for me to express in Spanish and in English. Though I wouldn't say I necessarily decide which songs will be in which language, rather certain ideas come out in one language or another, and I try to just follow in whichever way feels right to me. Both languages are a part of my identity as an artist and as a person, so I try to honor that, I suppose.
How has growing up in Mexico City and now living in Chicago influenced your sound and songwriting?
I grew up in Mexico City for 6 years before my family moved to Virginia, where I lived until I was 25. So, I've spent the majority of my life in Virginia. Most of my extended family is in Mexico, so singing in Spanish is a way for me to connect with them. In college, I was exposed to a lot of indie music and local artists in Richmond, VA, so that had an influence on me.
Do you remember the first song or artist that made you fall in love with music?
Yes, it was Fleet Foxes. I listened to them all of high school and beyond. I basically learned how to play guitar and sing by playing Fleet Foxes songs.
What was your experience like recording at Pulp Arts?
I had a great time - everybody was very warm and welcoming, and they did a great job with the live session we did. It's the only live session I've done, so I'm happy to have had the chance to do it.
Now that you're coming back through Gainesville, what would you like to do here that you didn't do before?
The reality of my touring schedule doesn't really afford me the time or the energy to do too much outside of playing the show, so I don't have any plans aside from getting a good night's sleep and a good breakfast.
Do you have any rituals or routines you follow to prepare for live performances?
I don't, though I probably should start doing some sort of vocal warm-ups.
Looking back at your earlier music, how do you think your sound has evolved over the years?
I did 4 singles with instrumentation and then released an EP of 4 acoustic songs, so they're quite different, though at their core, I think the songwriting is more or less the same. The change has been more about the decision to leave songs as they were written with just guitar and vocals.
Are there any collaborations or projects you’ve been dreaming about exploring in the future?
I'm not really interested in collaborations at this moment. I'm focused on writing and recording more music, so that's really where all my attention is going.
Nico Play’s Listening Room Show
February 5 - How Bazar - Gainesville, FL
