Humble singer/songwriter plays free show at Muddy Waters Cafe

Nikki Talley

Nikki Talley is not new to the music scene. She has been playing music since she was 19-years-old.

After leaving a collegiate music program she traveled around singing her way through the last decade. Talley belted out songs on street corners in Key West, rocked around Toronto and has skipped from Wilmington to Asheville showing off her natural talent.

Even though she is busy being a wife and a mother, Talley still remains a woman who simply wants to play music.

"I'm not at the point where I'm at stardom level. I still have to be humble and have to still play for twenty dollars four hours away. It's being paid to do what you love. Now very few people get to do that. Whether it's a $20 or $200 an hour gig, it doesn't matter. I'm doing what I love," said Talley in a morning phone interview.

The singer/songwriter plays at 7:30 tonight in the West Ashley Muddy Waters Cafe as part of the Palmetto Acoustic Series. The event is free to the public, always a nice break for everyone's wallet. Talley is scheduled to play before local musician Chris Sullivan. She is very excited about the pairing, though the two have never met.

Talley will mainly play songs from "To Be a Bird," her third and most recent album.

"I'm so hyper as it is," Talley said reflecting. "I wanted to have an album that's just kind of like me taking a deep breath and maintaining my composure, but still having very poignant things to say."

Don't let this fool you. Talley may have a charming demeanor and love simple living, but she and her music are not simple at all. The entire album was recorded in her apartment. Her writing is clean and fresh, filled with meaning and soul. Talley's style, though laced with classic americana, rock and folk influences, is all her own.

Talley will be bringing her mother, who has been a huge influence on her music career, with her to Charleston.

"I grew up in a musical family. My mom plays guitar and banjo. She literally sang to me in the womb," Talley said. "I was totally inspired by her, so I wanted to do what mommy was doing."

Luckily for listeners, there's a good chance Talley will drag her mom on stage to sing with her. Together the two have an unbelievable sound and Talley says she finds it difficult to determine who's singing in what key when she and her mother sing together. Watching two generations harmonize should be an exciting bonus.

After getting to know Talley one morning when her voice was still raspy and she hadn't finished her coffee, I can safely assume that this woman will remain the same fun-loving, Pabst Blue Ribbon drinking, Ramen noodle eating, mix-tape making, granola chic even after she makes it big. Don't miss your chance to see an artist this down to earth.