Photo By Nick Peri
It’s like those illustrated airliner safety cards show: in the event of an emergency, the parent should first take the oxygen mask before assisting the child. Reason being, the parent has the enormous task of protecting the child against what is to come next, and is of no use keeled over due to lack of oxygen.
Everyday life on the ground could be depicted in a similar fashion: in the event of a life-changing event, be truthful with yourself first, so that you may more safely navigate the world around you, and the human situations in which you find yourself.
Back home from his tour of southern states in support of his latest release Truth Is, I caught up with my friend Nick Young to learn more about how staying true is driving his craft.
North Country Music Report (NCMR):
Take us through a little bit of the background leading up to Truth Is. Did the songs present themselves quickly, or were they written over a long period of time? Did certain events inspire the making of the album or particular songs?
Nick Young (NY):
In a lot of ways, I feel that “Truth Is” is my my first “adult” record; in the sense that all of the songs were written in my late 20′s/early 30′s. My first record (Burning Daylight’s Whiskey & Romances) was a collection of songs that were written from about the time I turned 20 until the time I turned 25. I’m certainly proud of that album, but to me, it was more of a “teenage” record, both lyrically and musically. With Truth Is, the majority of the songs were written during the last year of a ten year relationship with a girl, not exactly new ground subject-wise in the singer-songwriter world, but certainly one I felt I had to address as it was a huge change/transition in my life. I sometimes struggle with the fact that as of now, the majority of my songs have to do with romantic relationships (usually the deterioration of them). On the other hand, I am proud that I have stuck to my guns and written about “what I know” rather than attempt to write about subjects that I’m not as passionate about. At the end of the day though, those songs had to be written because to ignore what was such a gigantic event in my life would have been dishonest to both myself and the listeners.
NCMR:
You were able to work with Jesse Sprinkle on drums and Tim Mroz on bass, your Burning Daylight band-mates. Did that provided a certain continuity or comfort? Tell us more about that.
NY:
Working with Jesse and Tim was really a no brainer for me. They are obviously great musicians, but also great friends (awwww). Musically, it was definitely very comfortable working with two guys I am so familiar with and it also saved us a lot of headaches as they pretty much always know exactly what my obsessive-compulsive mind wants.
NCMR:
There’s not too many Western New York musicians who can say they worked with a co-founder of The New Dylans, a former Wilco drummer, or a legendary Nashville steel player. What was it like working with producer Jim Reilley, drummer Ken Coomer, and steel player Al Perkins, and how did those relationships come about?
NY:
Well, it was obviously a privilege and an honor to work with these musicians…if you’d told me ten years ago that I would have them playing on my songs, I would’ve laughed at you. It all came about rather serendipitously; Jim stumbled upon my Burning Daylight record on iTunes and contacted me online to tell me how much he enjoyed it. After some “googling”, I discovered who Jim was and we shortly thereafter met up in Nashville to discuss making a record. Ken and Al are both good friends of Jim’s and he knew what a fan of Gram Parsons and Wilco I was so he asked them to guest on the album and luckily for me, they agreed. It certainly wasn’t lost on me how cool that was. I mean, I tried to not act like a dorky “fan”, but I did have a Wilco poster with Ken on it in my college apartment so just getting to meet these guys was a thrill.
NCMR:
Tell us a little more about the songs on Truth Is and some of the themes that run through the songs.
NY:
In very simple terms, this album is my “divorce record”…or, rather, my “divorce without lawyers” record. My first record had a lot to do with being in that same (aforementioned) relationship when things weren’t all that great but we were still hanging on for one reason or another. This record is much more about that relationship’s last gasps for life, the aftermath and finally, moving on. I also did quite a bit of self-reflection with this album, not just on that time in my life but also on some other relationships (family etc.) and about my life in general at the time and how I felt about that. I know these songs aren’t going to bring about world peace or anything, but the vast majority of songwriters that I love and admire have for the most part focused on a lot of this same material for their songs and well, it’s what I love to listen to. It resonates with me in a way that songs about politics or songs with more abstract lyrics typically do not. And it doesn’t have to be “boy-girl” stuff, just songs about living and being a human being…not rocket science but perhaps just as important to a lot of people, myself included. Overall though, I do think that these songs, especially towards the end of the album, are much more hopeful than anything I’ve written before.
NCMR:
Tell us about the tour you just wrapped up. I know you’ve taken quite a few trips out of town for your music in the past, but is this the most extensive?
NY:
Absolutely, this was easily the most extensive tour I’ve ever done. Previously, I had mainly stuck to weekend tours in the Northeast. It was quite an experience to be out on the road by myself, a bit lonely at times but overall I had a great time and it was well worth it.
NCMR:
Being associated with a band for so long, what was it like touring solo?
NY:
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get a little anxious a few times being all by myself for such long stretches. It would have been cool to have a bandmate to share some of the experiences with me but from a financial and practical standpoint, touring alone really works for me. Performance-wise, I have been a solo acoustic performer for a long time (even while in Burning Daylight) so playing by myself on stage is different but by no means a let down. In fact, it’s kind of a fun challenge for me to try to win over people with just my songs, voice and guitar…no gimmicks here folks.
NCMR:
What was the most memorable night on the tour?
NY:
That would have to be a tie between Asheville, N.C. and Jonesboro, A.R. I showed up in Asheville on my 2nd night of the tour and this place called The Root Bar was very welcoming. I got to meet some great girls in a band called Granville Automatic (who are working with Jim Reilley on their debut album) and even got to hang out with some of the bar’s regulars after the show. The Jonesboro show was a last minute gig put together by a fan who owns a pizza shop who wanted me to come and play there. I had corresponded with the guy for a couple of years but had never met him and by the end of the night it felt like we were old friends…it was great to feel so comfortable so far away from home.
NCMR:
What other exciting things do you have in the works? Radio? Video? Any other tours planned?
NY:
I am looking into doing a radio campaign for the album and also plan on doing some DIY videos for a few of the tracks. I’m doing a one-off show in Philadelphia in February and then a 3 date tour of New England in early March. A little farther down the line, I will be returning to the South for another tour, though it will probably be slightly shorter in duration. I’m also planning on having some company (though not a full band) for some of those dates, so I’m looking forward to that.
NCMR:
What else is next for Nick Young?
NY:
As much as I love performing, I am most passionate about songwriting. Nothing quite compares to the rush I get when just the right word comes to me or a melody pops into my head that I know I just have to put into a song. So, I’m definitely going to be performing and touring to hopefully get my songs out to as many people as possible but I am also working to get more involved in TV/Film licensing as well as doing some “song pitching” to other artists. I feel very strongly that in the current constantly changing music industry, the best thing an independent artist like myself can do is to find as many avenues as possible to get my music out there. To make money (I’m not saying a LOT) performing music is one thing but no feeling has compared to the first time I received a royalty check for songs I wrote (once again, I’m not saying a LOT). To think that something I wrote on my acoustic guitar in my bedroom or living room or whatever can actually put money in my pocket is an immensely satisfying feeling.
For more information on Nick Young, including upcoming show dates and online store, go to http://www.nickyoungonline.com.
