Portland, Oregon singer songwriter J. Nicolás is gearing up for the release of his debut album Wild Oak, and we’re delighted to be able to premiere a stream of the album right here on Backseat Mafia ahead of its release tomorrow.
After spending nigh on two decades playing in bands and touring across the country, J Nicolás has found himself at the gateway to a solo career, and he’s recorded a collection of songs that are emotionally charged, beautifully played and full of rather lovely folk-Americana. Written largely behind the wheel – “Just being in motion and seeing the scenery is stirring… it quickens certain emotions and brings things to light that maybe you weren’t thinking about in your day to day. It’s like hearing your own heartbeat,” he says, there’s a sense of the days ending and losing yourself in your thoughts about the whole thing.
Throw in a little bit of heartbreak, and you get the idea. “There’s a lot of healing in movement. Not running away from, but moving through the world, seeing other places and things and getting a better perspective on yourself” he continues.
The record was tracked to one inch tape at Singing Sands in Portland and Capricorn Studios in San Diego, CA, and features Sydney Nash on piano and keys, Allen Hunter (The Eels) on bass, Joe Mengis (The Eels) on drums, Steely Pete on pedal steel, and Ezza Rose on harmonies. It was engineered and mixed by Tobias Berblinger and mastered by Amy Dragon at Telegraph Mastering.
Do yourself a favour, go for a long drive and put this record on. Lose yourself, cry those tears out, and learn to love again.
Wild Oak is out tomorrow, 19th November.
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