When not behind the kit, the artist trades drumsticks for scissors, cutting and coloring the hair of creative clients at their East Williamsburg barbershop & salon, Wavelength

———————————————————————————————

Off the Record is a interview series exploring the creative endeavors that our favorite artists are pursuing outside of their music, the results of which don’t end up ON a record, so… (get it?!).

Here we’re shining the spotlight on drummer Sid Nichols—formerly of Razor Braids—who at their sunny and impeccably soundtracked East Williamsburg barbershop and salon Wavelength is, alongside the space’s other stylists, pretty much doing the hair of every band (and, ahem, blogger) in Brooklyn.

Over email—in between buzzing, snipping, styling and doin’ those ‘dos—Sid answered our questions about their ~hairstory~, mission statement and, most importantly, that impeccable Wavelength playlist (plus got them to namedrop just a few of the many creatives they crop…).

How long have you been doing hair?

The first time I cut my own hair, it was spurred by my dissatisfaction with the haircut my hairstylist had given me. I was about 12 years old, it was the year 2004, emo/scene hair was becoming popular, and I wanted this haircut called a shot gun blast, which was basically a cheek bone length bob in the front and spiked in the back! The hairstylist didn’t do an aggressive enough job, so I went home and took kitchen scissors to the back of my head. After that I started doing all of my friends’ hair and ended up going to beauty school when I was 16. I’ve been doing hair professionally for 15 years.

Is there any overlap between being a hairstylist and a drummer?

When it comes to overlap between the craft, some of the same things that make a good hairstylist make a good drummer, such as being a good listener and having a clear vision for what you are trying to express, and what you want the end result to be. There is a strong connection between music and hair in general. Being into music and how it influences people’s hairstyles is what got me into hair.

There’s a definite art to what you do. Much like in music, like you might have influences or inspiration, is there anyone in this space you really look up to?

My first mentor was Raymond Vence, who was the first stylist that I apprenticed under when I was 16. He shared his extensive hair knowledge with me and was filled with jaw dropping and hilarious stories of growing up in the LES and doing hair in the punk scene at the time. Also, Amanda Jenkins and Gerard Scarpaci, my mentors for the years that I worked at Arrojo Studio learning the craft of cutting hair with a straight razor, which is a huge part of my style today.

When did you open Wavelength?

I opened the original Greenpoint location in May of 2021, and the relocation/expansion to Bushwick happened in August 2022.

What’s the mission statement behind the salon — or what makes it different from others? What experience are you trying to provide?

I chose the name “Wavelength” because it has multiple meanings which relate to things that are important to me, namely music and human connection. Working in salons and barbershops my whole life has shown me what works and what doesn’t, and generally the best stylists are those who are able to genuinely connect with their clients, listen, and get on the same wavelength. Another thing that is super important to me is not gendering our services or assuming the gender identity of a client. Getting a haircut can be uniquely stressful for folks who are trans/non-binary (I’ve heard many horror stories), and being part of that community myself I enjoy creating a safe space which eliminates some of that stress and puts people at ease.

How does the new location differ from the old one?

The new location is an expansion! We’ve upgraded from 2 chairs to 4, from 118 square ft to 500, and from a window facing a brick wall to huge windows facing the open sky! The new location also signals the expansion of Wavelength as a brand. It no longer encompasses just me, but the other stylists who work at Wavelength as well.It’s been and honor to share the studio with Katie Grossman, Mars Paige, Paul Keo, Carlin Unkle, and Claire Mausert. Not only are they lovely people, they are masters of the craft!

Who’s on your salon playlist?

Depends on which one of us is DJing, but lately I’ve been putting on the new The Smile album. Also been playing lots of Wand, Water From Your Eyes and Godcaster. Mars is actually a DJ who can be found spinning records when she’s not cutting hair. She plays a lot of 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s rock n’ roll, with an emphasis on power pop and girl groups. Carlin has a really fun y2k nostalgia playlist she likes to put on, featuring such lyrical masterpieces as “Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!!” by Vengaboys. 

Who are a few of the local musicians we might find in your salon if we stop by?

First of all, I love that Wavelength has become a hub for musicians to get their hair done. Recently we’ve seen members of Gustaf, Workwife, Diivories, Crumb, Crush Fund, Um, Jennifer?, Miranda and the Beat, Ghost Funk Orchestra, Dave from Themme and Dave’s lesbian bar, Elijah Wolf, Kahiem Rivera, and if you’re a musician or a music lover who’s reading this, hopefully you too soon enough 🙂

What’s been the most fun or crazy cut/color you’ve gotten to do?

I have a client who gets a cascading rainbow strip along the side of her head. That’s always really fun! Any time I get to do fantasy colors I’m happy!

Who would be your dream musician to style?

That’s a hard question to answer, but I’m gonna go with Megan Thee Stallion because her style is always creative, unique & sexy, and I feel like she would crack me up in conversation. Close second is Michelle Zauner (Japanese Breakfast) who also has amazing style, talent, and vision.

If your salon had a theme song, what would it be?

That’s such a great question- and difficult to answer! Let’s go with “Scissor People” by Ty Segall and White Fence off of the album “Hair”, because-well obviously!

———————————————————————————————

Follow Sid at @sucksblood and follow Wavelength at @wavelengthhairbk. Book an appointment at wavelengthhairbk.com.

Feature images provided by the artist.