NIKITA NATION

This month we’re serving up a funky, soulful and melodic mix with iconic beats worthy of listening from start to finish- ranging from old school Missy & TLC to the last from Madame Gandhi and Kaytranada. 

Whether you throw this on for a mellow night at home, or trance-out wearing headphones around town, it’s sure to deliver a head-bobbing buzz. 

TRACKLIST:

Swim High - BABYTEETH, Rivka Rose

Black Ego - Digable Planets

I Spy - Skepta

Under Your Spell - Desire

Zealots - Fugees

About Her - Malcom McLaren

Make It Up - Tirzah

Care - Kaada 

Her - Madame Gandhi

Summer - Raf Riley, Etta Bond, Avelino, Dun D

Bad Blood - SBTRKT Remix - NAO, SBTRKT

The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly) - Missy Elliott

Ain’t Too Proud 2 Beg -  TLC

I Want Your Love - Chromatics

Army Of Me - Bjork

The Narcissist (ft. Inga Copeland) - Dean Blunt

There’s a Light Out On The Horizon - Chromatics

The Gaudy Side Of Town - Gayngs

Sunny Duet (feat. the Mind) - Noname, The Mind

I Fell In Love - Gidge

Breathe - Telepopmusik

Little Death - Lupe Fiasco, Nikki Jean

Strangers - Portishead 

Skin - Grimes

Distrations I: The Opposite Sex - Kilo Kish

Empire Ants - Gorillaz, Little Dragon

You’re The One - KAYTRANADA, Syd

I’m Better - Missy Elliott, Eve, Lil Kim, Trina

Pains - Silk Rhodes

Bullets - KAYTRANADA, Little Dragon

Nikita Clothing caught up with devilishly on-point illustrator and artist Spacegoth to learn more about her, her art, and how skateboarding tied them all together.

Tell us about your background. Where are you from and where do you live right now?

I kinda grew up all over the place. I’ve lived in Louisiana, Northern California, Orange County, San Diego and LA for the last 10 years. I'm temporarily caught up in OC at the moment. 

You are one multi-talented lady. Is there any surface you’re not already creating on? Anything you really want to get into with your art?

I’ve always wanted to do my own screen printing. I know how from making my own screens with crude little home made versions from silk scarves and elders glue. I have a real set up for screen printing, but I’ve just been too scared to dive in… Now that I say that, I have NO idea why.

What medium did you start with? Did you go to school for illustration? If not how did you get your start on this path?

I have been drawing and painting since I was a child… I learned anything I know how to do from either teaching myself or watching other methods and taking it on myself to try and make it work.

I used to share a little skate house with 5 dudes. One day at the house, I remember looking at a piece of paper I had been painting on and I figured out I could make SOMETHING out of it. Then I just started drawing more and more- trying to find a character that represented me. I can’t draw people, so I think my reaper came from trying to depict a human form to express myself.

When did you realize that art could be a source of income and how does that affect your use your social media?

I got fired from a job I had for 2 years and, although I’ve always been reliable for work, for whatever reason I panicked. Luckily, I had spent the last two years building an online audience for my work. I posted about being fired and having to sell some art until I could find a job…. I haven’t looked for one yet. Now, I have to keep my eye on my Instagram and Twitter pretty much all day- I’m either getting questions about a piece already on my website or someone is asking about commissions. I never expected it to be like this.

What keeps you inspired to keep working as an artist? How does this channel into your “style”? Do you fans provide this kind of support?

I feel as though all forms of art are simply an extension of ones personal perception of and struggle with the world. When I started creating I did so only to convey the pain and isolation I had experienced in my life as a whole up to this point and every day. I didn't realize that letting the pain go and sharing it with the rest of the world would be the thing that would ultimately alleviate it and bring me out of the isolation I was feeling.

I feel like that is the duty of all creative people- we have a responsibility to create and share in the hopes that it may alleviate someone else's pain and isolation as well. My fans are constantly reinforcing this belief in me- that response is overwhelming.

How has skating influenced your work and is there a connection between skating and your work?

I've been around skateboarding essentially my whole life. By being raised with young parents, I was able to experience the skateboarding community from an early age. I feel like the connection between the two is in my humor. I’ve learned to be extremely frank from hanging around with mostly guys. All of the girls I know who skate seem to have the same kind of weird humor that I do, and that makes me feel better.

When did you start skating and how did you first get into it? 

Well I’ve been pushing around since I was like 13. The last time I skated an actual park I hurt my wrist, and also recently actually hurt my ankle pushing around my old neighborhood. For me, it’s hard because I use my right hand to draw. If I hadn’t found illustration as a career, there’s a good chance I would have been able to focus on skating more. I suppose for me skating is something thats just a normal part of everyone’s life; and especially for my generation, I really think that’s true. Even kids that don’t skate have a best friend or sibling that does- this community is and always has been open to everyone who wants to really be in it.

Do you have a crew that you skate with or that keeps you motivated to keep skating?

I have a bunch of girl friends that skate. I rarely see them because of busy schedule or literally just crazy distance- those girls keep me hyped on it even though I’m not going out and skating anything sick- it makes me wanna go out.

What is your deck set up right now? Trucks/ wheels/ etc...

I most recently was using a tired board with independent trucks, but I really can’t remember what wheels are on it!

What's your favorite piece from the SS17 Nikita collection?

I love the mesh hoodie and i'm obsessed with beanies.

Follow Spacegoth now to see more of her eerily amazing art, and get more familiar with her and her hoard of reapers she keeps close to her heart.

The June Playlist  is here and it’s packed with a whole lot of feminist music history to explore and enjoy. Featuring subversive female artists from the post-punk/ grunge/ and alternative genres; this midtempo mix starts off with faster favorites like Ex Hex, The Queen of Siam’s Lydia Lunch, Souxisie ATB, and then rounds out on a softer note with Nico, Anika and Sinead O’Connor. Let us know what gems you discover and of course follow us for more on Spotify @Nikita_Clothing. 

JUNE 2017 PLAYLIST #FORGIRLSWHORIDE: 

1. Don’t Wanna Loose - Ex Hex

2. Launderette - Vivien Goldman 

3. Atomic Bongos- Lydia Lunch

4. Split - Kleenex

5. Lola - The Raincoats

6. Hong Kong Garden - Siouxsie and the Banshees

7. Fools Rush In - Bow Wow Wow

8. I Wanna Be Where The Boys Are - The Runaways

9. Too Many Creeps - Bush Tetras

10. Stop It - Pylon

11. Mind Your Own Business - Delta 5

12. Hot Topic - Le Tigre

13. Spacer Woman - Charlie

14. Nautilus - Anna Meredith

15. Instant Hit - The Slits

16. Connection - Elastica

17. Lovetrap (ft. Ariel Pink) - Soko

18. Cannonball - The Breeders

19. No G.D.M. - Gina X Performance

20. Peek-A-Boo - Siouxsie and the Banshees

21. Hondo -  Beta Frontiers, Becky Ninkovic

22. So Destroyed- Prince Rama

23. Tom’s Diner - Suzanne Vega, DNA

24. Yang Yang - Anika

25. Janitor - Suburban Lawns

26. Metro - Berlin

27. I Found A Reason - The Velvet Underground 

28. Nightclubbing - Grace Jones

39. Island Song - U.S. Girls

40. All Apologies - Sinead O'Connor

Thanks for taking us out to one of your favorite hang out spots - how long have you lived in LA?  

Yeah no problem. I love the family arcade. My boyfriend and I always go there. I have lived in LA on and off for about a year. I am originally from Missouri. 

When did you start skating and how did you first get into it? 

I started skating when I was around 12. I got into it because my brother started skating and I always did everything he did. My dad took me to the skatepark for the first time and it was on from there. 

How would you compare the skate scene in Kansas City to that of Los Angeles? Has moving affected your style at all? 

The scene in Missouri is obviously smaller than LA. In Missouri I have skated with the same group of friends my whole life so it's more of a family vibe for sure. I do love skating in LA though because of all the spots and the history. I don't think moving has affected my style except I started skating more street. 

What kind of tricks are you working on right now? Any tips? 

Right now I am working on front heels and just trying to be more consistent. The only tip I have is to have fun!

Do you have any words of wisdom for girls looking to advance their skating, or even just for beginners? 

Just to do you and don't listen to anyone that is trying to bring you down. 

Current motto/words to live by? 

I don't have a current motto but I will say to always wear sunscreen! 

How many boards do you own right now and which is your favorite? 

I have so many decks and cruisers at home I don't even know how many I have. My favorite right now is my current set up which is a Doomsayers deck, Spitfire wheels and Independent trucks. 

Will you be hitting up any concerts or music festivals this summer? If not, any travel plans?

I don't have any plans for music festivals but I plan on going to Florida to skate. I also want to go back to Missouri for a few weeks to see my family. I am always traveling last minute so who knows! 

What's your favorite piece from the SS17 Nikita collection? ;)

This is hard for me because everything is cute but I am a huge fan of jackets and I would have to say the Starward jacket. 

THANKS, HILARY!!!

And don't forget- follow @hilaryshanks_ on Instagram; photos by @rachel_hinman. 

Shop for Nikita now at EVO.

We are non-stop moving and shaking over here at Nikita! Hot on the heels of releasing our first ever playlist for our first ever (lots of firsts) Nikita Retreat-A, we have just dropped our latest Spotify May Playlist #forgirlswhoride! Kick off the summer with this upbeat exploration of modern day punk; featuring nods to all-female punk forebearers like ESG & The Slits, intros. to our current day staples like Grace Mitchell & Death Valley Girls, and unexpected deviations into the hip-hop genre (even some tracks by dudes too)…because, as this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction reminds us, any genre can celebrate a rebellious spirit. Follow us on Spotify @Nikita_Clothing. 

We're coming down from the excitement of the Nikita Retreat-A event last week, but we aren't quite ready to let it go yet.

And who would be? Three full days spent with some of the best girls you can think of, hot-lapping the park at Northstar during the day while sending it into the wee hours of the morning each night- this was a trip to remember.

Spotify Nikita Retreat-A Playlist

While we have a FOMO-inducing recap on it's way soon (sorry in advance, chickies), feel free to get your fix of Retreat-A feels by plugging in to this originally curated playlist that we rocked out to all week long.

And of course- stay tuned for more! The lifts may be closing, but that only means you need to keep squeezing as much out of this snow season as possible before it all melts away.

For those of us that have never been to SXSW (or even ATX) can you tell us a bit about the festival so we can get the lay of the land?

Imagine tens of thousand of techies, filmmakers, musicians and everything in-between all swarming a couple blocks of Austin at the same time- scrambling to find free food, merch and events. There are literally hundreds of official and unofficial events, ranging from panels to film screenings to art galleries to live music performances with up-and-coming and already established artists. Everyone is promoting themselves and their niche while consuming the work of others, all with a drink in hand. 

The busy streets of downtown Austin all benched off for the crowds of SXSW

What was your favorite show or event at SXSW? Or, maybe the best part was just getting to let loose?

I think my favorite part of SXSW is discovering new art. Every year I've attended SX (this is year 3) I've found my new favorite bands and musicians. It never ceases to amaze me just how much talent there is in the world, and you get to catch a huge chunk of it over the course of SX. 

SXSW 2017 Jazmyn Griffin POV from Nikita Clothing on Vimeo.

Obviously there is SXSW, but then there’s also ACL, Levitation, Sound on Sound, etc… It seems like Austin has become an American epicenter for this sort of thing. What do you think it is about Austin in particular that draws so many music festivals and fans?

Something about Austin spawns creativity. The city is typically welcoming of creative talent, especially for those just starting out. We have so many amazing bands, PR firms, booking companies and more. People move from other places around Texas and the country to come to Austin to work in music, so it makes sense that it's a great place to showcase the talent from other places, too.  Also the weather is great....

As an avid music listener and student of journalism and communications, it seems only natural that you would start a music publication (http://www.viewsfromthepit.net/). How did this come about? Did you start it with friends? And, what do you hope to achieve with it? 

We used to work primarily with university affiliated music organizations, and got a great start there. The co-founders and I are all leaders by nature, so of course we'd love to be head of our own, independent, publication too! We're all double majoring in journalism and one other communication major, so we have a background in music writing, video and photography. Ultimately, we want to expose our audience to up-and-coming talent that we personally love. It also doubles as an on-going portfolio of work for us and our staff members, which is invaluable in communications fields. We want to celebrate the art we love and have others see the world through our lens, that's our motto :)

Jazmyn takes a rare break between all the amazing chaos that was SXSW

What type of music excites you most and what got you into that style?

I love psych music, mostly psych rock. My music progression is a long story but I went from being super into post-hardcore and pop punk to indie pop then ultimately landed in the niche of psych rock. It's most of what I play on my radio show so I'm constantly finding new psych artists to go on my playlists, which makes me listen to even more of it. I love how it's chill and exciting at the same time, like meditating while also grooving out. 

Are there any local ATX bands that we should be on the look out for?

Don't get me started. I love Austin bands. I'd say the best way to find out what to look out for in Austin is to check out my playlists on KVRX, or even look at local lineups on Facebook. Honestly, most of them are extremely good. 

Sooooo, now that SXSW is over, what is next for you & VFTP?

I'm going to sleep forever. 

But seriously, I'm going to go on a self-care binge and do crazy amounts of clean eating and exercise to cleanse my system of the past two weeks. Then, I'm going to look for an internship to get credit for for over the summer and continue to plan for graduation. At Views, we'll be working on booking more shows and events in Austin and working on some band and artist documentaries. Of course, I'll constantly have my eye out for the freshest talent.

Do you have any travel plans for this summer? If not, where would your dream destination be? What would you bring (essentials)?

I want to visit a few places I'm considering moving after graduation (L.A., NY, Detroit, Chicago, Boston, Philly, etc.) but I need to plan that out much more thoroughly in the coming months. My dream destination would probably be (back to) Rio de Janeiro. I studied abroad there and found immense amounts of peace and clarity among the chaos of the city. I'd bring my journal so I could reflect on my personal growth. So cliché, I know. 

Scouting the sights and the scenes of SXSW

If the world was taken over by zombies, and you could put only one record in a time capsule for the next civilization to enjoy…what would it be?

I think about things like this all the time, wow. 

It'd change with my mood and music faves of the moment, I'd say. Currently, I'd pick Hi+Lo by The Lemon Twigs. If I had to choose a song to play during the zombie apocalypse though, it'd be Sodus by Cemeteries because it sounds very final, like a conclusion of sorts is happening and you're coming to terms with it. It's beautiful.

If you haven't already, head to our IG @nikitaclothing to check out Jazmyn's posted coverage from her time at this year's SXSW event and be sure to hit her and her project with a brand new follow - @smoothjaz__ @vwsfrmthpt!