Nikka Costa and Her Latest Album, "Dirty Disco"

The Sharp Notes with Evan Toth

It’s amusing how certain traits and talents seem to run in families—like an unbreakable thread woven through generations. Perhaps you hail from a long line of carpenters or artists, each passing down their skills. Music, in particular, has a remarkable way of flowing through bloodlines. While styles may evolve, the gift of rhythm and melody remains timeless, transcending the boundaries of space and time.
Nikka Costa understands this instinctively. Drawing on the rich legacy of her father, renowned arranger and producer Don Costa, she has infused his best qualities into her own vibrant blend of funky, soulful rock and roll. Though she was young when her father passed away, she carries with her a treasure trove of musical memories—most notably, a hit recording from 1981, “(Out Here) On My Own,” and an unforgettable duet with her father’s longtime collaborator, Frank Sinatra, performed on the White House lawn, no less!
Throughout her extensive career, Nikka has explored various musical styles, but on her latest album, Dirty Disco, she takes a deep dive into the propulsive sounds of the dancefloor. In this episode, she joins me to discuss her new record and how those familial musical influences continue to resonate in her work today.