Nik Rael is a modern soul singer and songwriter based in Cresskill, NJ who performs throughout the New York metropolitan area, the Hudson Valley, and beyond.

A singer since a toddler, Nik began his music career as the founding member of Philadelphia’s Headsoup, a psychedelic reggae/rock trio which was a seminal part of the Philly music scene in the late 90’s. Serving as songwriter, bassist, and lead vocalist, Nik and Headsoup released two studio albums, Livin Like Vermin (1996) and the Garage Sessions (2000), as well as Live from the Bitter End (1997). In 2001, after an acoustic performance at the World Trade Center, Nik was offered a recording contract from Bermuda Reef records, and he signed with manager Ray Wilson, of All Creative Entertainment. After moving north to Bergen County NJ and starting a family, Nik focused on acoustic guitar and roots music, recording his first solo effort for Bermuda Reef, Worlds Fade Away (2002), with producer and Van Morrison guitarist, John Platania, leading to nationwide airplay and recognition as an independent artist.

A busy year of club, radio, and local TV performances, not to mention his work as a public school teacher, took its toll on Nik’s voice in 2003, forcing him to cut back his singing as he worked through a long process of rehabbing and retraining his voice under the guidance of the legendary NY vocal coach Katie Agresta.Over the next few years his voice would be healed and then reborn, becoming more than ever the centerpiece of his performances.

His creative partnership with Platania went on to produce two more full-length recordings, Thank You (2009) and the Bob Dylan tribute album, Winter’61 (2011). In the wake of the release of Winter’61 Nik was featured on WFUV-NY 90.7 FM’s Sunday Breakfast hosted by John Platt, performing live in-studio with John Platania and renown bandleader and producer Professor Louie. He also headlined an episode of WFUV’s concert series On My Radar at the Living Room in NY, and performed at the annual Dylan-Fest at the natural amphitheater at the Warwick Valley Winery in Warwick, NY. In the last couple years, Nik has been called upon to open for major acts like Wilson Phillips, Robert Cray, and Bernie Wilson and His All-Star band in top venues such as The Bergen PAC (Englewood, NJ) and The Paramount Hudson Valley (Peekskill, NY). He has also sidelined as a frontman for the fiery Livin’ The Blues Band, which has twice headlined the Peekskill Music Festival. Nik presently continues his weekly residency hosting the Monday Coffeehouse at The ’76 House in Tappan, NY as he has for the past four years.

Nik is a life-long educator, having taught elementary school in Bergenfield, NJ for seven years before spending three exciting years working for The School of Rock as a Music Director and General Manager for various locations, including Westchester, NY, and Tenafly, NJ. Nik continues to teach voice, composition, bass, and acoustic guitar privately.

Recently Nik has been performing regularly with guitarist Joe Plum and drummer Jorge Pertuz and is currently working on his next album.
Please Keep In Touch