Autumn Nicholas “Baggage” – Jayson’s DJ Pick of the Week

Jayson’s DJ Pick of the Week is the newest track from Autumn Nicholas, “Baggage!” 

Autumn Nicholas is a powerful voice in the folk and country scene. They’ve been able to create a discography that is laced with honest and true stories of identity and belonging. Inspired by the BlackLivesMatter and LGBTQ+ marches, Nicholas uses their music to motivate people to act. “Baggage” is no exception. 

Released on April 5, “Baggage” is a three minute track about finally moving past the end of a relationship. Despite being about a deeply personal topic, the lyrics are so emotionally universal. Perhaps the first verse describes it perfectly, “You and me in the attic // in a box but I just couldn’t trash it.”

The Nashville-based singer-songwriter has perfected storytelling songwriting with beautiful melodies. The track ends optimistically- “I’m finally holdin’ on to what really matters with a little less baggage.” It’s a moving sentiment as the song comes to a close. Their discography is laced with themes of love, pain, loss, and hope. “Baggage” is another track that fits this almost effortlessly. 

Country Universe Single Review Roundup: Vol. 3, No. 12

“JK: What Nicholas makes sound so effortless is to translate ideas that could easily lapse into therapy-speak or toxic positivity into narratives of specific, detail-driven narratives that recognize how the path toward personal growth is never a linear one. Their songs are fraught in a way that is uncanny. To have such a studied approach to others’ interior lives without losing a fundamental sense of empathy– to be able to write like this without becoming overly clinical– is a rare gift, indeed. Pair that with the loveliest melody they’ve yet committed to record, and “Baggage” is Nicholas’ finest single to date. A

KJC “Baggage” is evidence that Nicholas is only in competition with themselves, as the only comparable records in recent memory are “Slow Down” and “Made Yet.” It takes a special talent to write personal material that is also emotionally universal.  These aren’t my life stories, but there are life lessons that I can learn from them. A”Country Universe

Nashville Scene: Country Music Almanac 2024: Artists to Watch

Every year, there’s a wealth of rising country talent that deserves your attention. To help you keep up, we’ve picked 10 artists who are heading into 2024 with excellent songs, outstanding voices and vital perspectives to share.

Autumn Nicholas

Autumn Nicholas hasn’t released a ton of recorded material yet, but everything they play leaves an impact when you hear it. And you had lots of opportunities to hear them around town last year, from the Love Rising benefit for LGBTQ rights organizations and the Together in Action benefit (that Nicholas co-organized) for anti-gun-violence group Moms Demand Action, from Bonnaroo to Nashville Pride Fest to opening at the Ryman for Jason Isbell. “Made Yet,” a ballad released in August, is about resisting the pressure to conform in a way that precious few country songs are — if you want to talk about pushing back against oppression and celebrating freedom, their work is a great place to start. STEPHEN TRAGESER

Country Universe: The Sixty Best Singles of 2023: Optimist Prime and Love Done Gone

Optimism is necessary, sure, but country music wouldn’t be country music without songs of heartbreak and love (done) gone wrong. In 2023, it was the genre’s women who wrote with the most striking originality about break-ups, exes, and emotional scars.

Autumn Nicholas’ “Made Yet” tells the story of a relationship that never even gets off the ground, as Nicholas’ narrator can’t forget the mistakes and hurts of past loves, to the extent that she’s paralyzed by fear of wreaking that same damage again.

The Sixty Best Singles of 2023: Optimist Prime and Love Done Gone – Country Universe

AmericanaFest 2023: Tuesday and Wednesday Show Recommendations

Rounding out your evening, you’ve got two chances to see Americana Proud: A Voice for All, a program at City Wineryspotlighting LGBTQ Americana artists, co-hosted by stellar songsmith Autumn Nicholas and drag queen supreme Vidalia Anne Gentry. The 8 p.m. show includes guests like Crys Matthews and Denitia, while the 9:30 p.m. show features The Kentucky Gentlemen, Jobi Riccio and many more.

Autumn Nicholas, Jason Isbell, More Stand for Gun Reform at Together in Action

“I think a lot of times we forget,” co-organizer Autumn Nicholas said quietly, tuning up their guitar before performances of “Listening” and “Be Gentle.” “We put a space in between what has happened, and we kind of just move on. … It is also hard to live with knowing we can make a difference — so why don't we try?”