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I’m a storyteller, journalist, signed recording artist/songwriter and Swedish translator/interpreter who celebrates communication through compelling interviews and engaging writing across print, digital, and broadcast, as well as in music and songwriting on my albums as a signed recording artist. I’ve built an international track record as a writer, editor, and interviewer, with published work for the Chicago Tribune, Guitar Player Magazine and national Swedish newspapers, magazines and public radio. I’ve also worked as a Swedish translator/interpreter for Lions International, and as a Swedish content editor for a Fortune 10 company based in Cupertino. I work across languages and platforms, and whether it’s journalism or songwriting, I value authentic storytelling that resonates with diverse audiences.…I’m a storyteller, journalist, signed recording artist/songwriter and Swedish translator/interpreter who celebrates communication through compelling interviews and engaging writing across print, digital, and broadcast, as well as in music and songwriting on my albums as a signed recording artist. I’ve built an international track record as a writer, editor, and interviewer, with published work for the Chicago Tribune, Guitar Player Magazine and national Swedish newspapers, magazines and public radio. I’ve also worked as a Swedish translator/interpreter for Lions International, and as a Swedish content editor for a Fortune 10 company based in Cupertino. I work across languages and platforms, and whether it’s journalism or songwriting, I value authentic storytelling that resonates with diverse audiences.

Nikki O’Neill

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I’m a storyteller, journalist, signed recording artist/songwriter and Swedish translator/interpreter who celebrates communication through compelling interviews and engaging writing across print, digital, and broadcast, as well as in music and songwriting on my albums as a signed recording artist. I’ve built an international track record as a writer, editor, and interviewer, with published work for the Chicago Tribune, Guitar Player Magazine and national Swedish newspapers, magazines and public radio. I’ve also worked as a Swedish translator/interpreter for Lions International, and as a Swedish content editor for a Fortune 10 company based in Cupertino. I work across languages and platforms, and whether it’s journalism or songwriting, I value authentic storytelling that resonates with diverse audiences.…I’m a storyteller, journalist, signed recording artist/songwriter and Swedish translator/interpreter who celebrates communication through compelling interviews and engaging writing across print, digital, and broadcast, as well as in music and songwriting on my albums as a signed recording artist. I’ve built an international track record as a writer, editor, and interviewer, with published work for the Chicago Tribune, Guitar Player Magazine and national Swedish newspapers, magazines and public radio. I’ve also worked as a Swedish translator/interpreter for Lions International, and as a Swedish content editor for a Fortune 10 company based in Cupertino. I work across languages and platforms, and whether it’s journalism or songwriting, I value authentic storytelling that resonates with diverse audiences.

Available to hire

I’m a storyteller, journalist, signed recording artist/songwriter and Swedish translator/interpreter who celebrates communication through compelling interviews and engaging writing across print, digital, and broadcast, as well as in music and songwriting on my albums as a signed recording artist.

I’ve built an international track record as a writer, editor, and interviewer, with published work for the Chicago Tribune, Guitar Player Magazine and national Swedish newspapers, magazines and public radio.

I’ve also worked as a Swedish translator/interpreter for Lions International, and as a Swedish content editor for a Fortune 10 company based in Cupertino.

I work across languages and platforms, and whether it’s journalism or songwriting, I value authentic storytelling that resonates with diverse audiences.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Intermediate

Language

English

Fluent

Swedish

Fluent

Work Experience

Recording Artist at Blackbird Record Label

August 1, 2020 - Present

Released two solo albums on Blackbird Record Label, an independent record label based in Los Angeles, involving radio promotion and publicity campaigns in the United States and Europe. Stories I Only Tell My Friends, 11-song album, to be released on March 14, 2025 (on LP vinyl, CD, digital download, streaming). Supported by the Illinois Arts Council through a 2025 Creative Catalyst Grant.

Band Leader (Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist) at Nikki O’Neill Band

January 1, 2017 - Present

Leader of a 5-piece band, performing original material and Soul/Americana covers. Opened for Sue Foley (Chicago), Southern Avenue (Los Angeles). Performed at notable Chicago venues including Space and Fitzgerald’s; Chicago festivals including Chicago LIVE!, Midsommarfest, Ribfest, AppleFest; record stores, library concert series, and more. Performed at AmericanaFest in Nashville in 2019, 2022 and 2024.

Teaching Artist (Guitar, Songwriting) at Old Town School of Folk Music

August 1, 2021 - Present

Part-time Guitar Instructor at the largest non-profit community arts school in the United States. Leads Second Half, a daily, free public session. Offers 8-week guitar classes (beginner to advanced), 1.5-hour workshops in Pop and Rock songwriting tricks, Intro to Jazz and Soul chords, Songs by Burt Bacharach/Hal David for guitar, Rock and Blues foundations, Intro to Rock and Americana-style fills and solos.

Freelance Writer at Guitar Player Magazine

July 1, 2016 - Present

Freelance writer for internationally known guitar magazine with cover stories, in-depth feature interviews and articles.

Author at Alfred Music Publishing

April 1, 2012 - April 30, 2014

Author of Women’s Road to Rock Guitar (Alfred Music, 2014). An instructional book on rock guitar playing for intermediate guitarists covering Rock and Blues rhythm guitar, lead guitar, fretboard fundamentals, and basics on gear and song structures; includes interviews with several world-renowned female guitarists.

Contributing Writer at Guitar Player Magazine

July 1, 2016 - Present

Authoritative writing for Guitar Player Magazine with in-depth interviews, storytelling, research, fact-checking, and proofreading. Interviews and educational stories for other guitar press; wrote, proofread, and submitted articles before deadlines. Interviewed Carlos Santana for a seven-page feature; wrote features on Teenie Hodges and The Concert for Bangladesh; interviewed Jennifer Batten for an educational piece on memorization.

Content Writer and Editor at Welocalize

July 1, 2020 - August 1, 2020

Lead Swedish content editor for the music and TV divisions; wrote and edited SEO-optimized copy; collaborated with marketing, PR, design, and UI; edited banner ads, social media, and multi-week campaigns; created artist and album descriptions spanning multiple genres; ensured culturally savvy content with fact-checks, research, and linguistic oversight.

Lead Swedish Content Editor at Lionbridge Technologies

December 1, 2016 - February 1, 2020

Led Swedish content editing for music, TV, apps, and gaming for a Fortune 10 client; wrote and edited SEO-optimized copy; edited banner ads, social media, and campaigns; matched tone to genres and audiences; collaborated with marketing, PR, design, and UI teams.

Contributing Writer at Musiker Magasinet

January 1, 2010 - December 1, 2018

Crafted cover stories and feature interviews with musicians, recording engineers, songwriters, and music equipment manufacturers for Scandinavia’s then-largest monthly magazine for musicians. Interviews required instrument proficiency and knowledge of gear, production, and songwriting. Interviewed Steve Vai, Zakk Wylde, Tal Wilkenfeld, and Lamont Dozier; wrote on Seymour Duncan; served as Editor-in-Chief/On-the-Scene Reporter/Contributing Writer.

Contributing Writer at Multiple Swedish Newspapers and Magazines

January 1, 1992 - January 1, 2001

On-the-scene reporter for Sweden’s national newspapers (Aftonbladet, Svenska Dagbladet, GoteborgsPosten); radio reporter for Klingan on P3; contributed across food, music, film, design, and advertising; collaborated with writers, photographers, printers, record labels, publicists, and sponsors.