In the heart of Pennsylvania’s underground music scene, Nikky Phoenix — also known as Phoenix Drums — is carving out a space that feels both explosive and deeply personal. Her sound, best described as post-hardcore with a pop-punk heartbeat, is emotional, high-energy, and rhythm-driven. But long before she ever sat behind a drum kit, rhythm was already part of her story.
Nikky grew up a creative child, constantly split between two passions: beauty and music. She didn’t come from a musical family, yet sound seemed to live inside her naturally. She was the kid tapping on desks in class, humming melodies under her breath, and daydreaming about music long before she understood where it might take her. That combination of imagination, independence, and obsession with rhythm shaped the foundation of who she would become.
As she got older, she experimented with songwriting and guitar. While she enjoyed creating, guitar never fully felt like home. Life soon pulled her in another direction, and she poured her creativity into the beauty industry. Through determination and vision, she built a six-figure beauty business that is now franchising — an achievement that reflects both her entrepreneurial drive and artistic instinct. Still, even while building her empire, the beat never left her. She found herself tapping on countertops, steering wheels, and studio desks, almost unconsciously keeping time with something only she could hear.
A couple of years ago, she finally picked up drumsticks and sat behind a kit. The connection was immediate. What had once felt distant suddenly felt undeniable. It was as if she had returned to a part of herself that had been patiently waiting. Drumming wasn’t just an instrument choice — it was alignment.
Her influences reflect the duality in her personality and sound. On one end of the spectrum is Prince, whose fearless artistry and refusal to be boxed in taught her the importance of creative freedom. On the other is Pierce The Veil, whose emotional intensity and post-hardcore energy left a lasting imprint on her musical direction. Together, those influences helped shape a style that is both expressive and explosive.
Growing up, Nikky wasn’t tied to specific hangout spots. Instead, she immersed herself in local punk and basement shows, sneaking into any venue she could find. Sticky floors, loud speakers, and tightly packed crowds became her classroom. She studied the movement of the drummer, the way rhythm controlled the room, and how live music created a shared emotional release. Long before she picked up sticks herself, she was learning.
Much of her current music has been recorded at King Studios, the creative space that transformed inspiration into action and solidified her belief that she belonged in the industry. Working closely with musicians there made the pull toward drums impossible to ignore. A key figure in her evolution has been Justin — producer, engineer, mixer, and owner of King Studios — whose guidance opened the door to the studio world and provided the mentorship that helped refine her craft. His collaboration has been instrumental in her growth as an artist.
Now, Nikky Phoenix is channeling everything she has built — from entrepreneurial discipline to emotional intensity — into a band project that is currently in development. While the name remains under wraps, the sound is taking shape: raw, heavy, and honest, blending post-hardcore grit with pop-punk urgency. New music is on the horizon, and it promises to capture the rhythm that has lived inside her her entire life.
