Nick 13 (Tiger Army, solo)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2013? (In order 1-5)
- The Mavericks - In Time
- Beastmilk - Climax
- Best Coast - Fade Away
- Depeche Mode - Delta Machine
- Vince Gill - Bakersfield
2. What band did you discover in 2013 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
Beastmilk. A lot of the music I’ve listened to in recent years has been roots music, partly because that’s where my head was at and partly because very little “rock” grabbed me. Sometimes I’ll come across a guitar pop band from the UK or something like that, but Beastmilk is the first new band to move me in quite awhile that draws musically on things like punk, post-punk, dark rock… the stuff that’s important to Tiger Army’s musical DNA. It’s nice not to feel jaded, to see that music drawing on those styles can be still be done right – having emotional power instead of being flat or a cartoon.
3. How will you remember 2013? (In terms of music)
Music was more internal for me than external this year. I didn’t see or play as many shows as maybe I should’ve, but I did create songs. Most stuff happening in the mainstream leaves a lot to be desired and things seem kind of dismal on the surface, but what else is new? The more things decay, the more opportunity there is for renewal.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2014?
I finished writing my second solo album recently. I’m hoping to enter the studio for that in 2014. I think I’ve also finally figured out the musical direction of the next Tiger Army album, but that’s still a work in progress. Tiger Army will play some shows for Spring Forward 2014, the details will be announced anytime now.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2014?
Hopefully one of my own! At least finishing an album if it doesn’t get released. I haven’t released anything since my solo album in 2011. It’s been too long. Speaking of that record, I’m in the process of shooting and directing a video for “In The Orchard.” It’s kind of late in the game, but it’s ultimately for fun so that doesn’t much matter.
6. There is a lot of debate over streaming sites and royalties, namely with Spotify. What is your stance on the economic policies behind the current streaming services? Do you have a preferred one?
I don’t really stream music personally. The rates could favor the artist a bit more but it beats the outright theft that was so common for quite awhile.
