Today marks the release of not just one, but two collections of music from Nick Mery. Gentleman Streets has more of an electronic feel and the other, The Blue Dog EP, showcases his folk side. Nick answered a few questions about his musical influences, why he decided to put out two albums at once, and he was quick to answer who he’d want to collaborate with. Check out the interview below and click the links to hear music.
Arin: How did you get involved in music?
Nick: My family has always been very musical. My dad and his brother were always jamming to the Beatles and Elvis songs on the guitar whenever we would hang out. I started in my middle school band by playing trombone, and eventually made my way into playing bass guitar which is where I learned the foundation of performing live. From the bass, I transitioned into guitar, and I have been trying out as many different instruments since then as possible.
A: Who are some of your biggest influences?
N: Musically, my biggest influence is a guy named Chris Thile. He is the mandolinist of Punch Brothers, formerly of the band Nickel Creek. If I could trade lives with any human being, it would be him!
Another source of inspiration for me is Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone. It’s a show whose premise is ‘anything can happen in any universe,’ which opens up the possibilities of ANYTHING happening. I try to take that sort of sideways-approach to songwriting, so that a song [or] album can end up in a place you didn’t expect.
A: How would you describe your sound?
N: I put a lot of effort into keeping my music constantly evolving. I’ve put out folk records, jam records, psychedelic records, punk records, and Gentlemen Streets is my foray into the electronic/R&B genre. There’s so much left to discover and attempt! Making a bunch of records that sound similar doesn’t seem appealing to me.
A: What can people expect off the new album?
N: Gentlemen Streets is an album that’s meant to imply confidence and an acceptance of growing older. It’s supposed to be fun and challenging, while showcasing the lessons I’ve learned over the last decade of performing.
A: You’re releasing an album and EP on the same day, what made you decide to do it that way?
N: Just me being a show-off, I suppose! I recorded an electronic album and a folk album at the same time, and I wanted to show new listeners that I could do both. For the fans of my older acoustic work, The Blue Dog EP is a throwback to that style.
A: If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
N: 50 Cent. No question about it.
A: How does the creation process work for you, from lyrics to sound to final product?
N: It’s always different. There are some songs I’ve worked on for years, and others that pop in my head while I’m sitting in traffic. There’s inspiration in everything if your eyes and ears are paying attention.
A: How important is social media for you in getting your name out there and keeping people in the loop with your music?
N: I recognize that social media is important, but it also adds a level of disassociation with the people you’re ‘connecting with.’ Sitting in front of a computer will never be the same as meeting someone in person, performing a show in front of them, having a real conversation, etc. Honestly, the day that I can pay someone else to take care of my social media is the day I consider myself successful.
A: What’s next for you now that the music is being released?
N: I can actually sleep for five minutes! I have it scheduled for sometime in June. It’s on my calendar and everything. ‘Today, Nick gets to sleep for five minutes.’
A: Are there any charities or non profits or causes in general that are important to you and that you support or want to support?
N: There are so many different causes that speak to me, from saving abandoned animals to trying to improve health care, and conditioning our schools to help train our youth to be as productive as possible for our future society. The world is changing around us, and it’s time for the humans to play catch up and properly utilize our resources!