Casey Niccoli, a name synonymous with the iconic visuals of Jane’s Addiction and the gothic-alt aesthetic of the 90s, has embarked on a creative renaissance. In this exclusive interview, Casey reflects on her journey of reclaiming her artistic voice and legacy, navigating through complex creative partnerships, and her ongoing exploration of art in mediums like collage. As she continues to challenge societal norms, she shares her vision for empowering artists and the personal growth that has shaped her work today. With a memoir in the works and exciting new projects on the horizon, Casey opens up about the lessons learned and the inspirations that drive her to this day.
It reignited the spark I needed to fully dive back into creating. I had already fallen in love with the art of collage and had been working on pieces for a few years, but after I spoke up about my creative legacy with Jane’s, it was like, okay, now it’s time to blow shit up—take everything to a bigger, bolder scale. My fans showed up for me, and that energy drove me to push myself harder. I want more, they want more, so now I’m creating at a frequency I haven’t felt since the 90s.
I think so. Shy people tend to be more melodic in the way that we express ourselves. I speak through my art, and sometimes those emotions are intense, dark, moody, curious, quirky, but always mixed with beauty and vibrance. I don’t necessarily follow any contemporary goth artists, but I love to listen to post-punk, dark wave playlists when I create. My foundation in the gothic aesthetic is strong, but it doesn’t stop there. I don’t limit myself to typical gothic sounds, colors or imagery — I love expanding and pulling from all sorts of influences.
One of my favorite contemporary goth bands is Black Bordello.
I'm not ready to collaborate on anything just yet, but I’m open to it in the future. I’ve found that I’m most comfortable creating as a solo artist, getting completely lost in the process. It’s where I feel the most alive, where every decision, every spark of excitement, and the joy of creating feels so real and personal. It’s entirely mine, and that is deeply satisfying. My advice to young women — and men — is to find yourself first; learn to love yourself and your craft. Have a goal in mind and be sure to discuss the nature of any partnership. If you are involved in any collaborative artistic project, then you are an equal and deserving of all the success, recognition, and respect that comes with it. Don’t let anyone diminish your contributions or make you feel lesser. Your voice, your creativity, and your presence are just as vital as anyone else’s. In my case, I realized too late that my former partner, Perry Farrell, never saw me as an equal. He valued me only as long as I was feeding his ego. I didn’t have a voice, and I accepted that, thinking love was forever. But it’s not, and self-love is where the real power lies.
I’ve evolved, and I’m passionate about learning and pushing my limits, but I feel most aligned as a fine artist. While I’d love to return to sculpture, right now I’m focused on expanding my collage work. My vision is to create a series of large-scale, eclectic, and vibrant collages that chronicle the journey of a woman discovering her voice—a surreal visual narrative that captures her growth, resilience, and spiritual transformation. This work will be deeply personal, containing all the elements that excite me, and a testament to the power of art to transcend and heal.
On a side note, I still work in film from time to time, though it’s a more complex process. I’m currently planning a lyric video for Poppy Jean Crawford’s upcoming release, 'Glamorous,’ where I’ll be incorporating digital collage elements. Later this year, I’ll be assisting on a short film, likely in November or December—so hopefully there’s more to come on that front.
The California desert is my favorite place on the planet; it’s a sanctuary for clearing my head and finding creative peace. Its mystical landscape and the breathtaking colors of the sunsets offer a kind of serene magic that fuels my art. Out here, the quiet and the vivid, shifting hues of the sky create a perfect backdrop for diving deep into creativity and letting inspiration run wild. I live in a pink and turquoise house surrounded by cactus.
I get to tell a story with my art, and that’s a powerful thing. As artists, it’s our job to challenge and inspire. I love that my audience tends to be a bit older and familiar with my earlier work, as it reconnects them to their youth—a time of rebellion and pushing boundaries. Even though the younger crowd and the goth girlies show up too, it’s fulfilling to inspire people to follow their passions and feel empowered regardless of their age.
I believe my biggest challenge as an artist is to create work with a strong, powerful message that resonates with people without further dividing us. It’s possible to express angst and sorrow by focusing on universal themes, approaching emotions with empathy, humor, and love and framing personal experiences in a way that others can relate to.
Someone recently called me a goth Mona Lisa. Hell yeah! I used to naturally have that iconic, glamorous post-punk vintage look and aesthetic. Now, I’d like to refine my style a bit more for the present. Being out of the spotlight, it’s harder to find a look that fits a mature woman who’s still got it—without looking like she’s shopping at Target or trying to relive the old days. I love the vibe of The Vampire’s Wife, romantic, gothic, effortless. Consider this an open call for stylists and photographers!"
I’m not even sure I answered your question. (Editor's note: You did 😊)
I grew up in a music-free home, so discovering my love for music was a revelation. It began with playing guitar and was further inspired by local radio, and some very cool neighbors and babysitters.
The first album I ever bought was Diamond Dogs. At 16, I would drive with carloads of friends two hours to LA to catch bands like The Ramones, X, Talking Heads, Iggy Pop, Blondie and the Clash. After moving to LA as a teenager, I fell head over heels for the early punk scene. Local bands like Rik L Rik, The Weirdos, X, Circle Jerks, Germs, UXA, The Mentors, and Top Jimmy, The Plugz, The Blasters, Levi Dexter, were just a few of the bands we would show up for every evening.
As post-punk emerged, I was captivated by bands such as The Gun Club, 45 Grave, Christian Death, and Kommunity FK and more X. In the English goth realm, it was all about Bowie, The Birthday Party, The Sisters of Mercy, Joy Division, Cocteau Twins, The Cure, and New Order.
Amidst this vibrant musical landscape I met Perry, and together we dove into a diverse array of genres—post-punk, funk, reggae, and rock.
By the time Jane’s Addiction was born, I had a lot of music and culture to draw from. I channeled these influences into creating something that resonated with the bands’ visions while navigating, with Perry, what was possible both financially and logistically.
I had been eager to answer this question, but I’ve realized I’m still processing my emotions, and now isn’t the right time for a full response. I feel deeply sad and drained by everything that has happened, and I’ve been sharing that experience with the fans. No one walked away a winner—everyone was impacted, from the band members and support acts to the crew and fans. This wasn’t something that could be easily resolved; the weight of life, health, and internal struggles eventually caught up with everyone.
Despite this, I’ve reconnected with Dave and Eric, and with Stephen in spirit—three incredible men who deserve immense respect. Ending the tour to focus on healing was the right decision. Perry needs space, and it’s important to give him the dignity to find his own way forward. Healing takes time, and I believe everyone involved deserves that opportunity.
Last Exit to The Strawberry Stars is both a labor of love and a thorn in my side. My goal is to share my story from childhood, told in my own voice. Navigating between the present, where my art is flourishing, and the dark days of addiction and survival is not always easy.
You haven’t met everyone who is going to love you, yet. Just focus on making art that makes you feel good, create the art you want to see, or hear, be spontaneous, and stay present.
XOXO CASEY
