Meet Niki Bente | Singer/ performer

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

Hi Niki, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Choosing a self employed life is always a risk, but thinking about about life in general aren’t the best lessons and successes achieved by taking risks? That’s how I feel about being in the entertainment industry. It’s a big risk, but the reward is every day feels like a day anything can happen. I meet new people constantly, and some end up becoming great friends. I have been to some amazing cities I may never have been to without some of the shows I get to do. The number one reward though is, I get to do what I love and call it work. Life is too short to hate what you do for living. Whether or not you turn your hobby into a career ,I strongly recommend finding a job you love. You’re there so much of your life and everyone deserves to be stimulated and most of all proud of what they do. I can honestly say I’m proud and so grateful of what I do.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I used to think that being the best singer or looking a certain way was what I needed to be successful, but really being true to who you are and being authentic is what helps the audience connect with you. We can always tell when someone is not being genuine and when you feel that, it doesn’t matter how great of a vocalist they are, there’s something you just don’t like about them. When you can tell they love what they do, are passionate about being the best version of themselves and they care about the audiences experience, that’s when you know they are something special. Through the years of doing the work to break the insecurities keeping me from that, I’ve learned that just being me is enough. I don’t need to be the prettiest, have the vocal range of Mariah Carey, be the skinniest, etc. I just lay back and enjoy performing and I feel that reads to the crowd and hopefully they feel my love and gratitude for them as well. I think the journey for me to get to this level of confidence took longer then I would of liked to, and I often find myself being disappointed that I couldn’t overcome the things that didn’t matter sooner, but everybody has a path and they get to where they need to be. The timeline for that is what it is, and looking back will just keep you from moving forward. Helping to accept my own journey to where I am now has come from taking a look at the fellow musicians I’m with today. I may not have met some of them and I don’t want to know a life where I didn’t. Working with people better then me has forced me to grow and eventually be addicted to the process of getting better. It was definitely not easy and a lot of work has been put in. I’ve also missed some big life events because sometimes I’ve had to take work when it comes, because it’s not always promised. I’ve had to learn how to save my money because there are “rainy days” in this industry. I think every job and even every passion comes with struggles, but learning to fight through the struggle will make you better every time.

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 funny question because I have lived in the Los Angeles area my whole life, but I have a career being social and going to some neat places regularly, I rarely go out just for me. One thing I think is a must, is going to a Dodger game, if they are in season. I grew up in a family obsessed with baseball more specifically the Dodgers, since the Brooklyn days, so I’d have explaining to do if I didn’t make that a priority. I love live music and we have some great venues that provide that. There are a few jams where you’re sure to see some of the best musicians when they aren’t on tour or on the road. The Whiskey has an Ultimate jam every Tuesday night, Wednesday night the Late Hit at The Well in Studio City is jazz perfection haha. The Baked potato is iconic and sure to have some fantastic band any given night of the week. I also play 2 or 3 times a year with my tribute Twisted Gypsy at a venue in Venice called the Venice West and they have live music often, and it’s a really fun venue, with an amazing staff. Hiking is just so available to us in La and the weather is usually pretty perfect, so I also would likely take them to one of my favorite hikes around Griffith park. One of my favorite restaurants is Sun Cafe and it is all Vegan and even though I am not Vegan, I do love good food and a good ambiance. Sun Cafe knocks both out of the park. There is a bar just out side of Los Angeles with amazing drinks and has a speak easy feel named The Cauldron in Buena Park. If we aren’t driving I’d definitely want to take my friends there for one of their specialty drinks and the food there is really delicious as well, so that’s a plus!

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?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without my mom, family, and my boyfriend. Their support and encouragement has kept me from giving up when there are times i’ve needed a little (maybe even a lot) nudge back in the right direction. I play in quite a few different bands and all are completely different genres so that for me has helped keep me on my toes and constantly learning. I play with an all female group named Pulp Vixen, and their catalog expands from blues, Latin, classic rock, pop, etc. I feel like the music I’ve learned from bands before helped me be ready to hop into a band with such a wide range as theirs. I have a residency at Fantasy Springs casino in Palm Springs every Thursday with a rock band and this band has helped immensely with not only my range, but I work with Whit Petrell, one of the best vocalists I’ve had the privilege to work with, who also plays bass. Lance Turner, phenomenal guitarist and has toured all over the world with some of the biggest bands and tribute bands, and Jorge Palacious who plays for Rick Springfield and Sammy Hagar. I never in my life thought I’d get paid well to play with people that inspire me, but it’s a dream come true and I’m so grateful. Last, but definitely not least I play my absolute favorite singer/writer/performer/inspiration, Stevie Nicks in a reimagined tribute to Fleetwood Mac, Twisted Gypsy. This has been the job that has changed me permanently for the better. The first show I did I was so nervous, but I felt I had nailed it and I have always doubted myself or never felt good enough, so to feel in my heart has been life changing. Since that first show not only me, but the entire has band has found this balance between honoring these iconic musicians and melding our own individuality into each performance its grown into something I’m beyond proud of and I still can’t believe I get to do it. I work in a few other amazing bands as well, but these three are my regular bands that have become like family. My life is very full and I know I’m lucky.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/nikib2?igshid=NzZlODBkYWE4Ng%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Other: https://instagram.com/hwy111band?igshid=NzZlODBkYWE4Ng== https://instagram.com/twistedgypsyband?igshid=NzZlODBkYWE4Ng== https://instagram.com/pulpvixenband?igshid=NzZlODBkYWE4Ng== https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Lswf3uRlqIWQhCoPoGeFr? si=qCBnxBIXQSqUSoF_tRCDIw

Image Credits
Insta. Links @withtheband Meredith Carlson @joysclick3x Joy King