Costa's music can be 'under the radar'

For more than 20 years, Nikka Costa has been making music. And the music she makes kind of "flies under the radar," she said.

"Music has always been a part of my life," Costa said during a phone call form Los Angeles. "I have so many influences, and they range from Aretha Franklin to Led Zeppelin. But throughout the years, I found my own voice. And that isn't necessarily what record labels want."

Still, Costa said she knows people in the world want to hear more than what's on the radio.

"There are so many people in the world," she said. "And they all have their own individual tastes. I do think that I appeal to a lot of people. The challenge is getting them to hear my songs. My music has always been a little more left of center."

Costa, who has been on major labels and independent labels and has had her music on various TV shows and movie soundtracks, said she makes music that makes her feel good.

"When I was working on the new album ('Pebble to a Pearl'), I knew what the songs would sound like," said Costa, who worked with her husband/producer Justin Stanley. "We had songs written enough for the band to hear and went from there."

The funk, blues and soul of Costa's style on the 12 tracks of "Pebble to a Pearl" will be released Oct. 14.

"We chose the songs we liked best for this album, and we chose them because they fit well together," she said. "Some of the ones that didn't make the CD this time will be redone for maybe my next album. But that's later on."

Although it's a little harder to get her music heard by working independently, she said it's all worth the effort.

"I've been able to work with people who have taken me under their wing," she said. "And I've been able to keep control of my music. I can be proud of what I do. It would be terrible to write a hit song because someone else told me I had to and then have to sing it every night for the rest of my career."

If you go

What: Nikka Costa, Picture and Sound

Where: In the Venue, 219 S. 600 West

When: Monday, 8 p.m.

How much: $20

Phone: 467-8499, 800-888-8499

Web: www.smithstix.com

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E-mail: scott@desnews.com

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