Nico Johnson ‘26 is a double major in music and theater. These two concentrations will be on display at his senior recital, which takes place on February 27th at 8:00 PM in the Frear Ensemble Theater. Featuring nine of his original songs, the recital is a tribute to Nico’s love of pop music and will be complete with lighting effects and backup dancers.

Growing up in Portland, Oregon, Nico first became interested in music through the artists his parents introduced him to. Michael Jackson and local productions of Broadway musicals colored his childhood with a variety of musical influences, and at age five, his parents put him in piano lessons. As he got older, he developed an interest in jazz piano and began learning the saxophone as well. He loved writing songs on the piano but was still unsure of himself—with no understanding of chord progressions or song structure, he thought his early songs came out “sounding a little weird.” In high school, Nico began to study music theory and the basics of music production, helping to sharpen his composition chops and leading him to discover that songwriting was something he really loved. “I realized that maybe this was not as strange and unstructured as I thought, that maybe I could write songs for fun,” Nico says.

Nico transferred to Swarthmore from Pomona College his sophomore year to be closer to friends. At Swarthmore, Nico enrolled in music theory courses to further develop his songwriting skills. He found that he loved the courses, and decided to major in music. Nico’s favorite music theory course, Music 013: Harmony, Counterpoint, and Form 3, helped him to see how music theory tied everything together within the scores he was studying.

“Analyzing music theoretically is an art form within itself,” Nico says. “It gets very artsy. I thought it was pretty cool that one chord could be analyzed in many different ways and that harmonies can quickly become so embellished that they obscure their actual function”

Nico’s close connection to the Music faculty has shaped his experience in the Department. He credits Professor Jon Kochavi with introducing him to Swarthmore’s music scene, Professor Barabara Milewski with having the best office hours conversations, and Professor Quinn Collins with supporting his music production ventures. “I could name all of the Music faculty here, they have all impacted me and convinced me to stick around in this department.” Nico says the Music faculty supported his interest in pop music, and he was able to find classes that helped deepen his understanding of the style. “The Analysis of Pop Music class solidified my love of the genre! It also allowed me to compose a song in the style of Great American Songbook tunes, so it forced me to branch out from the contemporary pop that I tend to focus on.”

Nico’s songwriting style is pop-oriented, with catchy and fun lyrics. While his first instinct is to be playful, Nico has recently started to branch out into writing more heartfelt, emotional songs.

Even when writing sad songs, Nico often uses major chord progressions. “If the lyrics are solemn, the music doesn't necessarily have to be. A lot is conveyed in the lyrics and the vocal style,” he explains. In happier songs he tends to use a stronger, Broadway-style voice, while in sadder melodies, he lets vocal imperfections seep through. Through taking singing lessons, Nico began to realize that there is value in imperfections: “It took me a long time to channel imperfection into something that sounds good.”

Nico’s senior recital will be the final piece of his music degree. Unlike most senior music recitals, Nico’s will not be in the Lang Concert Hall. Rather, he chose to stage it in the smaller Frear Ensemble Theater for its extensive lighting setup and playful setting.  

“I hope the audience will feel free to let loose, sing along, and just have fun in the relaxed atmosphere of the show. The recital hall in Lang Music is also just a little too formal and stiff for a concert like this,” he said about his upcoming recital.

You can listen to Nico’s music here. At first, he says, it was scary to put his work out into the world. But being willing to take criticism and also appreciating that people have different musical tastes helped him to realize that you “just have to put it out there.” There is always room for growth, but “you just have to be bold.”

After Swarthmore, Nico is considering attending graduate school in songwriting and production. What he knows for sure is that he wants music to be in his post-grad life, and he refuses to lose his creative spirit.

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Favorite music course at Swarthmore: Analysis of Pop Music with Trevor Hofelich.

Favorite music making experience at Swarthmore: In Martin Hall, they opened a recording studio. I love being in there and working on songs. It feels so cool.

What you’ll miss most about Swarthmore: Definitely the people in the department.

Sound or noise you love: The 808 bass in pop music. It's so thumpy, I love it. It has a personality of its own.

Sound or noise you hate: I live in DK and in the bathroom on the first floor there is a very high pitched squeal. I don't know what it is but it has been there all year. It's so piercing and high. 

Last song/piece you played on your phone: "Still Don’t Care" by Megan Trainor.