Nikki Stringfield

{{short description|American guitarist}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}} {{Infobox musical artist | honorific_prefix = | name = Nikki Stringfield | image = Nikki Stringfield (cropped).jpg | image_upright = | alt = | caption = Stringfield performing with The Iron Maidens | birth_name = | alias = Davina Murray<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalrockreview.com/interviews/nikki-stringfield-of-the-iron-maidens|title=Nikki Stringfield of The Iron Maidens|first=Adam|last=Kennedy|date=February 16, 2016|website=Nationalrockreview.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603072823/https://www.nationalrockreview.com/interviews/nikki-stringfield-of-the-iron-maidens|archive-date=June 3, 2017}}</ref> | birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1990}}<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/australia/australian-guitar/20180201/281676845381699|title=Maiden America|access-date=2023-09-22|via=PressReader}}</ref> | birth_place = [[Red Oak, Texas]], U.S.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://allthatshreds.com/queen-of-strings-nikki-stringfield-interview|title=The Queen of Strings Nikki Stringfield Interview|first=Andrew|last=Catania|date=November 25, 2016|website=Allthatshreds.com}}</ref> | death_date =  | death_place = | genre = [[Heavy metal music|Heavy metal]] | occupation = Guitarist | years_active = 2012–present | label = Independent | current_member_of = {{hlist|[[Iron Maidens]]|[[Heaven Below]]}} | past_member_of = {{hlist|[[Before the Mourning]]|[[Femme Fatale (band)|Femme Fatale]]}} | associated_acts = [[Before the Mourning]] [[Femme Fatale (band)|Femme Fatale]] [[Heaven Below]] [[The Iron Maidens]] | website = {{facebook|xNikki.Stringfieldx}} }}

''' Nikki Stringfield '''(born 1990) is an American heavy metal musician. She is the current guitarist for [[The Iron Maidens]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/xNikki.Stringfieldx/about/?ref=page_internal|title=Nikki Stringfield|website=Facebook.com|access-date=December 14, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/the-iron-maidens-guitarist-nikki-stringfield-releases-as-chaos-consumes-single-video|title=THE IRON MAIDENS Guitarist NIKKI STRINGFIELD Releases 'As Chaos Consumes' Single, Video|last=Blabbermouth|date=May 17, 2017|website=Blabbermouth.net}}</ref> and [[Heaven Below]],<ref name="WillG">{{cite web|url=http://willtorock.com/heaven-below-skinnys-lounge-north-hollywood-ca-11-7-18|title=HEAVEN BELOW – Skinny's Lounge – North Hollywood, CA|date=November 15, 2018|website=Willtorock.com|access-date=December 26, 2018}}</ref><ref name="auto6">{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/heavenbelowband/photos/a.10152168929724935/10156930419199935/?type=3&theater|title=Happy 2019 to everyone!!! We're kicking off the New Year with a show at The Whisky A Go Go next Monday the 7th with our badass friends!!!|author=[[Heaven Below]]|publisher=Facebook|date=December 31, 2018|access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> as well as the former guitarist for [[Femme Fatale (band)|Femme Fatale]] and [[Before the Mourning]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allaxess.com/news/before-the-mourning-get-amped-by-all-axess|title=Before The Mourning Gets Amped By|website=Allaxess.com|date=August 17, 2012 |access-date=August 17, 2015}}</ref>

== Early life == Born in 1990 in [[Red Oak, Texas]],<ref name="auto1" /> Stringfield attended [[Red Oak High School (Texas)|Red Oak High School]] and graduated in 2008.<ref name="auto4">{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/nikki.stringfield|title=Nikki Stringfield|date=n.d.|website=Facebook.com|access-date=December 14, 2018}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=April 2020}} She studied at [[University of Texas at Austin|The University of Texas]] in [[Austin, Texas|Austin]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.musicconnection.com/artist-profile-nikki-stringfield|title=Artist Profile: Nikki Stringfield|date=May 9, 2016|website=Music Connection Magazine|access-date=December 14, 2018}}</ref> graduating in 2012<ref name="auto4" /> with a degree in Radio/TV/Film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sleazeroxx.com/the-iron-maidens-femme-fatale-guitarist-nikki-stringfield-releases-solo-single|title=The Iron Maidens/Femme Fatale guitarist Nikki Stringfield releases solo single – Sleaze Roxx|website=Sleazeroxx.com|date=May 17, 2017|access-date=December 14, 2018}}</ref>

== Career == After an internship with [[Warner Music Group|Warner Brothers Music]]<ref name="auto" /> Stringfield moved to [[Los Angeles]] in January 2012<ref name="therockpit.net">{{cite web|url=https://www.therockpit.net/2018/interview-nikki-stringfield-the-iron-maidens/|title=INTERVIEW: Nikki Stringfield – The Iron Maidens – The Rockpit|website=Therockpit.net|date=April 25, 2018|access-date=December 14, 2018}}</ref> and became part of American melodic metal bands [[Before the Mourning]]<ref name="auto" /> and [[The Iron Maidens]].<ref name="therockpit.net" />

In 2014, Stringfield and Before the Mourning parted ways,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghsstrings.com/users/5239408 |title=Nikki Stringfield (The Iron Maidens)|website=Ghsstrings.com|access-date=August 15, 2015}}</ref> after which time Stringfield joined [[Femme Fatale (band)|Femme Fatale]] in May 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/ILoveFemmeFatale/photos/a.10150209990005399/10153206493085399/?type=3|title=Femme Fatale|website=Facebook.com|access-date=December 14, 2018}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=April 2020}} In September 2015, [[The Iron Maidens]] brought the former guest guitarist on as a settled member for the ensemble.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/TheIronMaidensOfficial/photos/a.433737020824.200844.107192280824/10153039477305825/?type=1&theater|title=Timeline Photos – The Iron Maidens |work=facebook.com|access-date=September 30, 2015}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=April 2020}} Stringfield and The Iron Maidens vocalist [[Kirsten Rosenberg]] appeared as contestants on the August 3, 2017, episode of the music game show ''[[Beat Shazam]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fikklefame.com/beat-shazam-recap-august-3-2017|title=''Beat Shazam'' Recap: August 3, 2017|publisher=Fikkle Fame|access-date=December 31, 2018}}</ref>

In 2017, Stringfield released music videos for her solo singles "Save Our Souls" and "As Chaos Consumes",<ref name="auto2">{{cite web|url=http://bravewords.com/news/the-iron-maidens-guitarist-nikki-stringfield-releases-save-our-souls-single-video|title=THE IRON MAIDENS Guitarist NIKKI STRINGFIELD Releases 'Save Our Souls' Single/Video|website=Bravewords.com}}</ref> followed by "[[Heart-Shaped Box|Heart Shaped Box]]" in 2018.<ref name="auto3">{{cite web|url=http://bravewords.com/news/the-iron-maidens-guitarist-nikki-stringfield-pays-tribute-to-kurt-cobain-with-cover-of-nirvana-s-heart-shaped-box-video|title=THE IRON MAIDENS Guitarist NIKKI STRINGFIELD Pays Tribute To KURT COBAIN With Cover Of NIRVANA's "Heart Shaped Box"; Video|website=Bravewords.com|access-date=December 14, 2018}}</ref>

In late 2018, Stringfield became a touring guitarist for American rock band [[Heaven Below]].<ref name="WillG" /><ref name="auto6" /> In January 2019, she announced that she plans to release her debut solo EP some time that year.<ref name="EP">{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10212134950720133&set=a.1969562129844&type=3&theater|title=Happy New Year!|first=Nikki |last=Stringfield |publisher=Facebook|date=January 3, 2019|access-date=January 4, 2019}}</ref> In July 2019, the singer announced the title of the album, ''[[Harmonies for the Haunted (EP)|Harmonies for the Haunted]]'',<ref name="auto5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/nikki.stringfield/posts/10213374161979640|title=Nikki Stringfield|website=Facebook.com}}</ref> with a September 2019 announcement that she expects to release the album on October 30, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/xNikki.Stringfieldx/photos/a.147635148606687/2387477887955724/?type=3|title=Nikki Stringfield|website=facebook.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/nikki.stringfield/posts/10213605608525659|title=Nikki Stringfield|website=facebook.com}}</ref> On October 18, 2019, Stringfield debuted "When the Devil Comes Down", her first single from the EP.<ref name="auto7">{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63pqe65Fc1A|title=Nikki Stringfield – When The Devil Comes Down|via=YouTube}}</ref>

In March 2021, the singer announced that she is working on a full-length studio album.<ref name="auto8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fnikki.stringfield%2Fposts%2F10217356702260658|title=I'm excited to announce I've finally joined Patreon! Check out this video for more info and hope to see you there!|website=Facebook}}</ref><ref name="auto9">{{Cite web|url=https://www.patreon.com/nikkistringfield|title=Nikki Stringfield is creating Music, Art, and more!|website=Patreon}}</ref>

On Sundays in February 2022, Stringfield and [[Heaven Below]] lead vocalist/[[Lita Ford]] guitarist [[Patrick Kennison]] performed during their residency at [[Hard Rock Cafe]] in [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]], [[California]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/1566699259/posts/10218840645318307/|title=Nikki Stringfield is with Patrick Kennison at Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood on Hollywood Blvd.|website=Facebook.com|access-date=January 14, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=BraveWords |url=https://bravewords.com/news/nikki-stringfield-patrick-kennison-announce-hard-rock-cafe-residency |title=NIKKI STRINGFIELD & PATRICK KENNISON Announce Hard Rock Cafe Residency |publisher=BraveWords |date= |access-date=January 21, 2022}}</ref>

On 26 June 2022, Stringfield plans to release ''Live in the Living Room'' which she created with Kennison. The two plan to perform that same date at [[Hard Rock Cafe]] in [[Hollywood, California]].<ref name="bravewords.com">{{cite web | url=https://bravewords.com/news/nikki-stringfield-patrick-kennison-launch-pre-order-for-unplugged-album-live-in-the-living-room?fbclid=IwAR2kkIkxCI978fgoONS6oq8-cPzvf4Hz9QeFgl-1yIK6OAprMcjOn28N_9s | title=NIKKI STRINGFIELD & PATRICK KENNISON Launch Pre-Order for Unplugged Album, Live in the Living Room }}</ref>

Additionally, on the last 3 Wednesdays in July 2022, Stringfield plans to perform at the same venue, with Kennison performing on the latter two dates.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02bJEctf6Qa7dm1Gih5ctEVVRVzxqwSJVbNodxkmBukLUHZ9aGX8WzSv5Z1DzCQpFcl&id=1566699259|title=Facebook|website=Facebook|access-date=August 11, 2022}}</ref>

In July 2023, it was announced her debut full-length album, ''Apocrypha'', would be released on September 29.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bravewords.com/news/nikki-stringfield-debut-solo-album-apocrypha-due-in-september|title=NIKKI STRINGFIELD - Debut Solo Album, Apocrypha, Due In September|magazine=[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles]]|access-date=July 18, 2023|date=July 17, 2023}}</ref>

On 24 January 2025, Stringfield and Kennison plan to release ''Ghost Notes'', the debut EP from the husband and wife duo. The album will coincide with the 2025 Live Drama Tour starring American heavy metal guitarist [[Marty Friedman]].<ref name="auto10">{{Cite web|url=https://bravewords.com/news/nikki-stringfield-patrick-kennison-ghost-notes-ep-due-in-january-2025-artwork-and-tracklisting-revealed?fbclid=IwY2xjawG3LOVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHYTOal1n5Vb0_cXvGSw9-e7AazFparkMp5wg6JQZDzrukh1aYKeaB0mSGg_aem_Z94EJL6Jh-GiVQEoTNAk5g|title=NIKKI STRINGFIELD & PATRICK KENNISON - Ghost Notes EP Due In January 2025; Artwork And Tracklisting Revealed|website=bravewords.com}}</ref>

== Personal life ==

Stringfield and Kennison married on November 4, 2022 after almost ten years of friendship and dating. The couple met in 2012 at an all-star jam night in Hollywood, California.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=41994|title=KNAC.COM - Features - PATRICK KENNISON/NIKKI STRINGFIELD Engagement|website=www.knac.com}}</ref>

== Discography == {{seealso|Heaven Below}} {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}

=== Before the Mourning === ==== EPs ==== *'' Remembrance ''(2012)<ref name="ticketfly1">{{cite web|url=http://www.ticketfly.com/event/362685-free-music-wednesday-before-west-hollywood|title=Free Music Wednesday Feat. Before The Mourning Benefit Show – Tickets – The Roxy Theatre – West Hollywood, CA|website=Ticketfly.com|date=September 4, 2013|access-date=August 15, 2015}}</ref> *'' Damned and Forsaken ''(2014)<ref name="apple1">{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/damned-and-forsaken-ep/id859497005|title=iTunes Music – Damned and Forsaken EP by Before the Mourning|publisher=iTunes Store |date=April 8, 2014 |access-date=August 15, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151129072039/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/damned-and-forsaken-ep/id859497005|archive-date=November 29, 2015}}</ref>

==== Videos ==== * "Before the Mourning" (2012)<ref name="auto" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-C_B_UtVzDE|title=Before the Mourning – B4TM – (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO – High Quality – HD)|access-date=December 14, 2018|via=YouTube}}</ref> {{col-2}}

=== Solo career === ==== Studio albums ==== *'' Live in the Living Room ''(with [[Patrick Kennison]])(2022)<ref name="bravewords.com"/> * ''[[Apocrypha (album)|Apocrypha]]'' (2023)

==== EPs ==== * ''[[Harmonies for the Haunted (EP)|Harmonies for the Haunted]]'' (2019)<ref name="EP" /><ref name="auto5" /> *'' Ghost Notes ''(with [[Patrick Kennison]]) (2025)<ref name="auto10"/>

==== Singles ==== * "Sally's Song" (2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXODZ5f-RR8|title=Sally's Song (The Nightmare Before Christmas cover) by Nikki Stringfield|access-date=December 14, 2018|via=YouTube}}</ref> * "As Chaos Consumes" (2017)<ref name="auto2" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJm9uyUnwHE|title=Nikki Stringfield – "As Chaos Consumes"|access-date=December 14, 2018|via=YouTube}}</ref> * "Save Our Souls" (2017)<ref name="auto2" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=479XwdzxCBM|title=Nikki Stringfield – "Save Our Souls"|access-date=December 14, 2018|via=YouTube}}</ref> * "[[Heart-Shaped Box|Heart Shaped Box]]" (2018)<ref name="auto3" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHlgmHx0mqY|title=Nikki Stringfield – "Heart Shaped Box" Nirvana Tribute|access-date=December 14, 2018|via=YouTube}}</ref> * "When the Devil Comes Down" (2019)<ref name="auto7" /> {{col-end}}

== References == {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stringfield, Nikki}} [[Category:Guitarists from Texas]] [[Category:Musicians from Dallas]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Singers from Texas]] [[Category:1990 births]] [[Category:21st-century American women guitarists]] [[Category:21st-century American guitarists]] [[Category:The Iron Maidens members]] [[Category:Heaven Below members]]