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

Hi Nick, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
I often think about being a kid and comparing that era of my life to what it is now. When I was 17, I just wanted to make music with my friends and had no cares about anything else. But then you really get into the industry and there’s this odd competitiveness with peers and this cloud of self-doubt appears. You start to feel like you can’t shake it. I think about the things I’ve been able to “accomplish” in my life and it all feels the same – this very short-lived feeling of content. I used to think “I’d know I made it if I just had a session with so and so” or “if I make this much money by 25”, etc. It took me years to unlock that none of that truly mattered. So what makes me happy? Watching TV on the couch with my fiance, FaceTiming my parents, letting my brother crash on my couch, holding an extra light for a friend’s photoshoot. I can go on, but when I really boil it down – it’s time spent with people I love.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Loyalty & drive. I approach every situation by asking myself, “how can I add value to this?” Sometimes the answer is – removing myself – and that’s okay. I’m completely happy where I am today and it definitely wasn’t easy – but not for reasons one may think. The hardest part was realizing I was in my own way. There isn’t any sort of “advice” I could give to someone other than – be passionate and be loyal in everything you do. Skills can be learned/outsourced but your impact on people can’t. I want people to never take ‘no’ for an answer or think that the opinion of one person, no matter what “level”, can stop them from doing anything they want.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
On the west coast, I really like Santa Monica and biking in Huntington Beach. I got into golfing not too long ago, and play a ton at Scholl Canyon. It’s peaceful. Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Chandler My Parents Dom & Tomi The Chruma’s Troy & James Adam & Derek Tom J-Lew Aubree

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Image Credits
Aubree Estrella

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