Bio

Nikki spins her life around her music, making space to perform in multiple fields and genres. A classical harpist by trade she holds a Masters in Music Performance from Northwestern University. Nikki grew up studying the harp with her mother and performing professionally in her hometown of Duluth before moving to the Twin Cities as an established nationally touring harpist. Nikki has recently been seen performing as an opener and collaborator with various local songwriters including Charlie Parr, Matthew French, Molly Maher, Sarah Morris, Katy Tessman and Maygen & The Birdwatcher. 

Songwriting has always been a part of Nikki’s musical pastime, writing at the piano, autoharp, and on her Lyon and Healy pedal harp. It is only recently as part of a songwriting collective that she has found her unique voice with her harp. Her original solo music features her expressive vocals over complex and hypnotic accompaniment. She dives deep into moving themes surrounding motherhood, love and loss. Her song "Let the Rain Come In" brought her second place in the Duluth Dylan Fest 2023 Songwriting Competition. 

Employing modern harp effects and textures, loop and electric guitar pedals, Nikki Lemire's songs sit somewhere  between the old folk bedrock of Joan Baez, the musical innovation of Joni Mitchell, and the influential pop stylings of  Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift. Through layering, and minimalistic arpeggiation, Nikki artfully shapes the music to her words,  creating a sound that refuses to adhere to any one particular genre, somehow feeling old and new at the same time.

Nikki also performs periodically with David Harland, Katy Tessman, Mae Simpson Music, and the International Treasures. Nikki and David Harland will be releasing a Holiday collaboration album in December of 2023. 

In addition to her solo work, Nikki is also a band member of:  
The Foxgloves  
Josh Cleveland Band

 

Events

Jun17

Bemidji Folk Festival

Turner Homestead, Bemidji, MN

Molly and I have been busy scheming for the upcoming summer. Good news! YOU are invited!

The inaugural Bemidji Folk Festival!
On June 17th at 6 PM we are going to host a folk festival!

We will have three acts split a two hour show.

Lance Benson will start off the night. Lance is a musician confident in his ability to capture audiences through the power of his written, sung, and played words. A seasoned and honed singer-songwriter with a refreshing outlook on life lived and dreams acted on. A sound stemmed from life experiences along with roots, rhythm, and blues. Dancing multiple capos across the neck of his guitar and blending honest, soulful lyrics. He is a Minnesota folkie singer-songwriter who is as good as they come.

The second act will be The International Treasures!
Tugging on heartstrings and bringing smiles to faces since the 2020 pandemic, your Minnesota neighbors Doyle Turner and Ted Hajnasiewicz - together, are The International Treasures. This extraordinary pairing has been captivating audiences throughout the Midwest with their charismatic storytelling, sweet harmonies, and transcendent songs about the universal human condition. Active performers as solo artists and various musical projects, Ted and Doyle both have a solid recording catalog. The International Treasures’ debut album will be released into the world on Sept. 17, 2023. FYI - Ted was recently named the Midwest Country Music Organization’s Maverick Award Winner on April 15th, 2023! This comes a year after his video “Just For Show” won the MCMO’s 2021 Video of the Year.

Lastly, the night will end with the multi-skilled Nikki Lemire! Nikki is one of those artists that raises the bar of any project she is a part of. Nikki plays with those rising Midwest stars, The Foxgloves who were nominated for TWO Midwest Country Music Organization awards - Best Americana Band and Album of the year for 2022! Nikki also is a part of the renowned Josh Cleveland Band, who just finished a Minnesota tour at the end of April. Nikki is a singer-songwriter that is a favorite of other singer-songwriters. She writes songs using her harp that sound completely modern and magical on a classical instrument. Nikki is going to share her original music, her wild harp skills, and her generous heart with us on Winter Drive.

Unlike our “listening room” set up, this event will be held under a tent (so rain or shine!) and YOU get to invite a friend or two. Choose someone with whom you’d like to share a special evening like this, and bring your comfiest camp chair. Suggested donation is $10. Please come and join us!

Jun28

JCB is hosting a huge party at the Turf Club to celebrate the release of our newest single Running it Down! We will be joined by our friends Katy Tessman ( Katy and the Turnkbuckles), Laura Hugo, and Doyle Turner & Ted Haj AKA the International Treasures. Nikki will sit in on harp with the Turnbuckles, the International Treasures and then on keys with JCB! It will be a huge night of some of the best music in town with LOTS of surprises too ;)

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