Nicole Cohen, Nick Valentini to perform original songs, covers at Kerckhoff

At the tender age of 4, Nicole Cohen remembers learning how to play the piano. With a substantial amount of practice, she was able to win several music competitions and awards. What she realized, however, was that her true passion lied in guitar playing and songwriting.

Cohen will display this talent at tonight’s installment of the Kerckhoff Coffeehouse concert series, sponsored by the Cultural Affairs Commission. The event will consist of individual vocal performances by Cohen, a first-year English student, and Nick Valentini, a third-year cognitive science student.

Though performing separately, the two singer-songwriters will both include originally written material as well as covers from some of their favorite artists in their acts. Additionally, both Cohen and Valentini will be enhancing their performances through their use of piano.

Valentini has previously performed at Spring Sing and is currently a member of the student folk-soul band The Street Hearts.

However, during tonight’s installment of the Kerckhoff concert series, Valentini will be performing under the name NatiVe.

“It is still Nick Valentini performing, but I’m using this as a name to do something else,” Valentini said. “It’s not just a singer-songwriter thing. It’s a performance in general.”

In describing his personal style when it comes to music, Valentini said he enjoys straying away from the typical structure of performance that many artists are used to. Additionally, Valentini said it will be more of a continual set of music that blends together.

“I don’t really like doing one song at a time. It’s going to be more of every song blending in with each other – like a movie that doesn’t stop,” Valentini said. “I’ve written (the songs) so they’re allowed to go through each other.”

Though he will be performing mainly original music, Valentini will also be doing something different when it comes to performing covers. Similar to his performance style of original music, Valentini said he enjoys digressing from the way in which covers are typically performed by taking the music of guitarist Jimi Hendrix and playing it on a piano.

“When you put that on a piano or a keyboard and add synthetic sounds to it, I can characterize it a little more with my feel,” Valentini said. “It’s better than doing a song that everyone knows on a piano.”

Cody Kommers, a third-year cognitive science student who has performed alongside Valentini, said playing the piano is one of Valentini’s most prominent talents.

“One thing that most separates him is that there’s a focus on the purely musical, visceral piano playing,” Kommers said. “He endears the audience by being who he is and not putting on a front.”

Similarly, Cohen will be making use of her piano skills, as well as guitar skills, in delivering a blend of original music and covers during her performance.

Although this will be Cohen’s first performance on campus, she is no stranger to having others hear her music. Cohen frequently performs in venues throughout the greater L.A. area and has previously released material on iTunes – a song titled, “Gone,” which she composed at the age of 15 and which was produced by Michael Woodrum, who has worked with the likes of Linkin Park and Joss Stone.

Woodrum said working with the young artist was a wonderful experience and that despite the plethora of individuals trying to make it in the business there is one thing that sets Cohen apart from the rest.

“She’s definitely the real deal – great writer, great singer, great ideas. She has a clear idea of what she wants and she’ll take suggestions, but she’s moving forward,” Woodrum said. “She’s influenced by people, but she sticks to her path.”

Although she will make use of the piano, Cohen said she mainly performs with a guitar during her sets, and describes her musical style as being pop-folk. She frequently draws on some of her favorite artists to enhance her style.

“I feel like I have a range that goes from edgy to Taylor Swift,” Cohen said. “I usually do a mix of three artists that I love and that I think I sound like in my range, which are Colbie Caillat, Sara Bareilles and Christina Perri.”

When writing music, Cohen said she seldom draws from her own experiences for inspiration. However, there is one song she will be performing during tonight’s performance that was taken from recent experience within the entertainment industry.

“‘Funny Thing’ wasn’t specifically written about anyone, but it was more a statement about the superficial nature of the entertainment industry,” Cohen said. “I am an actor in Screen Actors Guild, and I recently did a guest star on ABC’s ‘The Middle.’ This song kind of sums up my experience with the social side of the whole thing.”

In addition to her original music, Cohen’s set will include a cover mash-up of Bon Iver’s “Skinny Love” and Ed Sheeran’s “Give Me Love,” as well as covers from Sara Bareilles, Imagine Dragons and Colbie Caillat.

Despite her experience playing in several venues in the greater L.A. area, Cohen said there is something particularly special about performing at Kerckhoff Hall.

“I’ve played many shows around L.A., but all my friends are at UCLA,” Cohen said. “This just seems like the right place for them to come and hear my music. In a way, this show is for them.”