Coming off the success of his breakthrough debut, rising star and Toronto-born, Seattle-based teenage guitar phenom Nikhil Bagga is set to shine in front of countless on both sides of the Canadian and United States border with his rendition of both national anthems on February 26 when the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs play the Seattle Kraken in their Climate Pledge Arena.
“There’s nothing more than a sports fan like me than to perform the anthems in front of both teams, with all of North America watching. Being a dual citizen means I can’t root for either one, but I guarantee you I’ll be at my best that night on the guitar.” Audiences will witness unique renditions of The Star-Spangled Banner and O Canada as Nikhil Bagga continues to captivate with his passionate artistry.
“Sorry Not Sorry” is the latest musical effort from Nikhil Bagga, one of the best and brightest artists of tomorrow, pushing the boundaries of sonic expression at such a young age. The single is laced with reverb-drenched bluesy guitar work and a fearless command of the voice. Bagga’s visceral sound transports listeners with the assistance of a spell-binding guitar solo that makes the hairs on your arms stand.
Nikhil Bagga made the conscious decision to pick up the guitar at nine years old so that he could emulate his favorite artists. What started out as a curiosity quickly expanded into his first live performance busking cover songs on his 10th birthday in San Diego.
Bagga’s ambition and drive at a young age would pay off as he performed at the SMASH Seattle “Songs of Hope” Benefit, the Big Table Benefit supporting restaurant workers impacted by COVID, Russell Wilson’s Why Not You Foundation, and a Seattle Kraken game. With a gift for playing by ear and a passion for melodic exploration, he spent the early days of the pandemic sharing a song a day with his fans, covering artists spanning the pop and rock canon.
It wouldn’t be long before Bagga started writing original songs for his debut feature. Recorded at Seattle’s London Bridge Studios with producer Eric Lilavois (Ayron Jones, Saint Motel, Island Apollo), Bagga released his debut full-length recording, “Leap of Faith,” in the spring of 2022 to much fanfare. Armed with a harmonic sophistication and a voice that will age like fine wine, Nikhil Bagga is at the frontier of musical composition and serves as an inspiration for artists of all ages.
