Meet Drew Nicholson | Frontman of Sunhills

We had the good fortune of connecting with Drew Nicholson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Drew, why did you pursue a creative career?
I think it was more of a “it chose me” more than I chose it. I don’t think I could be anything but an artist and a creative person. I go absolutely insane if I don’t do it. It’s just the nature of who I am, and feels truly like the greatest thing I can do for myself, my community, and my planet. I believe I have a capacity to tell stories and convey emotions and I love providing that for people! It provides me with a deep sense of purpose and meaning in my life.

Please tell us more about your career. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I think what is different about us as artists, is we are us! I am me! What a wonderful thing that is. Nobody could be Drew the way I am. Nobody could be the four of us, in a room, making creative decisions together. Nobody else will sound like that! I think the hardest part of learning to be ourselves is getting out of our own way. When you are a child and you paint a picture, you aren’t thinking “this color palette is a bit derivative”. You aren’t second guessing yourself. Somehow, and at some point that changes when you grow up. The hardest part and the thing we are still working on every day is learning to trust ourselves again! To paint like a child. I am already so proud of the things we have made and I am excited to continue the process of unlearning. Our biggest goal is to be the most “ourselves” as we can be.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is a great question! Since you are my best friend, you can crash on my couch. Ideally it would be end of summer/fall time since I think that is when there is the most to do. For food i’d say Bud’s, a great vegan sandwich shop and Vertical Diner, a great vegan diner. Theres a great strip of bars to go bar hopping which would go Bar-X, Beer Bar, and Twilite Lounge. For coffee in the morning I’d take you to visit my friend Sean at Blue Copper, home of the Blue Copper Chess Club. Sean will kick your ass in chess and i’ll watch. Before you left we’d need to visit the the beautiful botanical garden, the International Peace Gardens. We’d also need to catch a show at the legendary Kilby Court where hopefully some homies are playing.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
One of the biggest mentors in my life was my Grandpa, who passed away a few months ago. Here was a boy who grew up towards the end of the depression era, and decided he wanted to pursue a job in the creative industry, photography. I can’t think of any worse time than that to decide to pursue a career in the arts, but he believed in himself and he had the courage to go for it. He dedicated his life to pursuing his dream and it paid off. He gave me one of my only music lessons and inspires me to this day to summon that same courage and work ethic to continue. I also want to highlight the wonderful local music scene in Salt Lake City, the bands and the people who come to shows that have supported us. It’s a vulnerable thing to share your art and to be embraced and mentored and given the chance to grow as an artist has changed my entire life. As a band, we also appreciate one another and recognize how none of it would be possible without each other. I am so grateful to work with some of the most inspiring musicians and people i’ve ever met.

Website: sunhillsband.com

Instagram: @sunhillsband

Image Credits
Alec Moody, Allen James, Morongod