Niki McNally (NY, NY, USA):

My childhood was chock full of crazy. Thinking back, my first vivid memory was of my father and mother having a violent fight. My parents often fought and inevitably got a divorce. After five years of chaos, my mother went to rehab, my father stayed home and continued to work, and my brother and I entered the foster care system.

I have been through every sort of trauma you can imagine. Sexual, verbal, and physical abuse, neglect, abandonment, sexual assault, rape, and a lot more crap — but what hurt the most was the feeling that no one wanted me. I was empty inside before I hit my teenage years.

Music helped me channel my emotions, gave me hope, and made me feel a part of something greater than myself. I listened to music all the time. Even when I was sleeping.

Music became my escape; it helped me tune out my pain and the harsh world around me. Music filled the void in my heart and gave my life purpose. I loved listening to my favorite songs, but after a while, I needed more. I wanted to get involved and become a part of the world that I fell in love with.

So, on my seventh birthday, I asked my dad to buy me a dual cassette stereo so I could make mixtapes. I wanted to control the order in which I heard songs. I also wanted commercial-free playback and smoother transitions.

I ended up making countless mixtapes, then I graduated to collecting DJ mixes and songs that I liked, and finally, when I was seventeen, I started mixing vinyl. Soon after that, I began DJing in some of NYC's top music-minded venues, holding residencies and regular DJ performances and playing alongside some of the world's top DJs.

I also developed a passion for making music and frequented my friend's studios to learn and create my own music. I spent several years working alongside techno legend John Selway, where I acquired skills from one of the most talented producers in the industry.

In 2010, I produced my first remix for singer-songwriter Nadia Ali. The remix was called "The One (Niki McNally's Seismic Dream Mix," and it was released on the album "Queen Of Clubs Trilogy: Onyx Edition." The compilation featured remixes from artists like Afrojack and the late Avicii. Working on the same project with superstar DJs felt great, but in the end, it didn't feel right. I produced a commercially viable record to appease the artist, I left myself out of the equation, and ultimately, I did not like what I created.

Soon after my first release, another remix opportunity came along. This time from a well-known DJ/Producer. Once again, that trendy commercial sound was requested, and I wasn't going down that road again. All I wanted was to make a song with an artist I admired but having no creative freedom is like having no soul. Lesson learned.

Since then, I've done both original productions and remixes more on par with my musical tastes. I did a few remixes for some of my longtime favorite singers: Kelli Ali, formerly in the British trip-hop band Sneaker Pimps, and Sophie Barker, previously in Bliss, an international chill-out collective from Denmark, and Zero 7, an English downtempo group.

Everything was going great and moving so fast, but then I hit my late twenties, and I started to feel unwell—so many things were backfiring in my body. I was getting sick often, along with a ton of other health problems. It felt like all the systems in my body were out of whack. I went to doctor after doctor, and for many years, I didn't get any answers. I became depressed, so I decided to stop DJing and focus on getting well.

After I stopped DJing, I fell into the most prolonged period of depression I've ever experienced in my life. I completely lost myself for a while. During the same time, I found out that I was half Puerto Rican through a DNA test from 23andMe. Now I have another father and a whole new family. Oddly enough, I always felt the Puerto Rican blood running through my veins, and in retrospect, that insight put a lot of things into perspective for me. My past makes a hell of a lot more sense now.

After I hit the pause button on DJing, motivation became a problem, plus I was still depressed, so I decided to go back to school. I got a Bachelor of Science in Music Production from Full Sail University. I learned the language of music and a bunch of skills and techniques that improved my productions. I graduated with honors and felt more confident, but I still felt like I have so much to learn.

Shortly after I started school, I was offered an opportunity to host my own radio show. Reflections airs quarterly on Frisky Radio's 'Deep' channel and features some of the best underground dance music. The most notable highlight is my theme-based introductions, which weave in my other passion: creating awareness on social, political, and environmental issues.

As you can imagine, it's been a long, arduous journey. Nevertheless, I have around two decades of experience exploring different methods for creating music. I love many styles of music, so I don't limit myself to a specific genre or audience. My music blurs the lines and is not always genre-specific.

I produce electronica, downtempo, house, and techno. However, I like to think about elements, layers, and texture rather than genres. I love haunting melodies and lyrics, hypnotic rhythms, ethereal atmospheres, cinematic soundscapes, organic textures, and orchestral instrumentation.

Currently, I am back in school, and I've finally found some solutions to help heal my compromised immune system. I am also spending a lot of time with one of my favorite producers. It is a really exciting time for me! I feel reinvigorated, and my passion for making music has returned. I really miss playing in clubs, showcasing my favorite tunes, and rocking out with my fellow music lovers, but well-being comes first! So, while I am getting a handle on my health, I will continue honing my skills and making music in my home-based studio.

Life doesn't always turn out the way you expect, and I am okay with that. Throughout my journey, I have learned many valuable lessons. Music has always been a support system driving me to push forward. Music helps me express my thoughts when I can't find the right words. Music makes me feel things I didn't know existed. Music gives me strength to process my emotions more effectively. But most importantly, music lets people know they are not alone—because music unites us.

Music is a gift. Without music, the world would be quiet, dull, and far less beautiful. I want to be a part of the wonderful world of music for the rest of my days. I endeavor to provide comfort for those who suffer. I will write for those who cannot express themselves, and I aim to unite anyone who can relate to the music I make.

My mission is to make beautiful music that leaves listeners feeling something powerful. I want my songs to transcend time. That's my purpose. That's what I was born to do. That's what I'm here for.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/nikimcnally

Facebook: www.facebook.com/djnikimcnally

Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/3MmKLdgTLh7slejsoZHDwG

Bandcamp: bandcamp.com/nmlikey

Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/nikimcnally