Feature: ST. NIKLAS Decodes ‘habits of a complex mind’
Were there any specific artists or albums that served as touchstones for you while making 'habits of a complex mind?’
Tough one. There are just so many artists and very specific eras - especially the late 80s and 90s - that have shaped the sound of ‘habits of a complex mind.’ But if I had to name a few, The 1975, LANY, Nightly, and Del Water Gap come to mind right away. Fun fact: the focus track, "if we never met that night," was actually mixed by the same person who’s done mixes for Del Water Gap. So the sonic DNA definitely overlaps a bit.
What impact do you hope 'habits of a complex mind' will have on your audience?
I’ve always been drawn to cinematic and dreamlike soundscapes - like, I want the music to feel like you’re in a movie, even if it’s just in your bedroom at 2AM. Hopefully the album captures that feeling from start to finish. I tried to frame the whole thing with that vision in mind, including the decision to have two semi-instrumental tracks bookend the project. It’s kinda like saying, "here’s the opening scene and here’s the credits rolling."
Can you talk about any standout tracks on the album and what makes them special to you?
The opening track, “ICSTWYWHN” - which is short for "I can’t say the words you wanna hear now" - probably sums up the whole album best. Lyrically, it reflects how chaotic and layered our thoughts can be, especially during that weird phase between being a teenager and trying to figure out adulthood. Also, "okay" is super personal for me. It’s the only acoustic track on the album, and I wrote it in literally ten minutes after a fight that went… well, let’s just say it went south fast. Sometimes the rawest stuff just spills out when you’re not even trying.
What has been the most memorable experience or achievement in your music career so far?
Maybe it’s cliché, but the first time you hear a national radio host introduce your song - it just hits different. You never really forget that. It’s like, “Okay. Maybe this thing is real.”
What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced as a musician, and how did you overcome them?
Honestly? The music industry itself.
It’s this weird paradox where it can either be the gatekeeper or the thing that opens doors for you - and sometimes both at the same time. It’s exhausting, especially once more people get involved and suddenly you’re not just making music for yourself anymore. There’s this quiet pressure to not let anyone down. That part messes with your head more than you’d think. The way I’ve dealt with it is by going back to how I used to make music before there were labels or booking agents or expectations. I just started making songs I genuinely liked again - without overthinking who they were “for.” I’ve learned to trust my own gut more than other people’s opinions. It sounds simple, but that shift has honestly been everything.
