Derek Nelson & The Musicians NEW album "Riders of the Tide"

This past February I found a talented musician dwelling right here in Chicago.  His name is Derek Nelson; he is a young and energetic ball of energy. I was delighted to stumble across his MySpace page and quickly went to his Facebook and wrote him a message, begging him to contact me right away. I knew his music was going to capture Chicago, just like it immediately captured my attention. I was delighted to hear right back from Derek with-in hours of my message. I found out he was going to be playing at Lincoln Hall shortly after I sent him that message. I was so excited to meet him and hear him live.  I sent him over questions to answer, so the world could get to know him better. (Go here to see past write-up and Q&A)

After not speaking to him for several months, I reached out to Derek about a month ago to DJ at my first ever Stic-of-the-Week party (Go here to see party pictures), he replied back excited and ready to do whatever I asked of him. By this time, he was going to be releasing an EP and played at a major Chicago event called Taste of Chicago. This week, I was the first press person to receive his not even released EP “Riders of the Tide.” Which officially releases this Thursday November 11^th, at Schubas. When he sent me the link to download his EP, I got home and just had to download it right away, I couldn’t wait to hear what was in store for me and the rest of Chicago on Thursday night. The first song is “Come and Wait,” after the first five or so seconds, I knew something wonderful was in store.  It was amazing how his voice and sound completely evolved.  His voice had a sense of confidence and determination that you didn’t hear in his album “Something Obscure.”  He even completely reworked the song “The Way You See Me,” from start to finish. The song had an entirely new feel, it had build up, sort of like in a scary movie, when they build up a scene to terrify its audience, but not in a terrifying way, you just sit there translating the song in your head. My favorite song on the new album would have to be “Backwater Town,” which you can actually hear on his MySpace page currently.

To hear the full album, come join Stic on Thursday night at Schubas, and hear and buy Derek’s new album. See you there! 


FOLLOW UP: 
Pictures from CD Release show below, and go here to see full collection.

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Derek Nelson

Derek Nelson is a energetic force! The stage presence for this 23-year-old rising star is impeccable; you would think he was a seasoned veteran. Derek no doubt likes to work the stage...hoody on, hoody off, right foot, left foot, harmonica up, sing, head cocking back-and-forth, all while stroking the guitar strings! His music sounds like a young Ryan Adams on ten Red Bulls.  My favorite song is “Tightrope Walker” from his freshman album Something Obscure (which can be found on iTunes), but for the most part you could listen to the CD over and over again and not get sick of it. Now for the fun part, Q & A with the talented musician:  

Q: Which musician do people normally compare you to and do you agree with them?

A: I think anybody who likes writing lyrics and playing the harp inevitably gets compared to Dylan, which is always flattering, obviously, but almost always ridiculous. A girl after the Lincoln Hall show told me I sound like a "young Tweedy meets a happy Bright Eyes with Mick Jagger's dance moves." It is, to date, the best review we've received.  


 

Q: What's been the most memorable show thus far? 

A: We've had a few. My first show ever, at Double Door last spring, was the most nerve-racking. The Noble Experiments -- which are quiet little deals in people's apartments -- are the most intimate. The Empty Bottle was just a perfect time. Lincoln Hall was pretty electric.  


 

Q: What do you enjoy doing in you spare time, not including music practice?

A: I like reading about wars. I like going places, exploring this fair city of ours. I like looking at maps and drinking beer.  


 

Q: What’s your favorite place to visit?

A: I had the chance to check out Barcelona last year and it's a place like no other. Especially when you're there during a soccer riot and a million or so people are trying to burn down the most beautiful place you've ever been.  


 

Q: Where in Chicago do you feel at ease? 

A: I live in coffee shops. They usually feel like home.  


 

Q: What are some goals for the band?

A: I've never loved the idea of setting business-oriented goals for the music, just because it seems futile somehow, and it takes the fun of this. Our goals are simple: get better at our music every time we play it. If the songs get better, all the other stuff will hopefully fall into place and we'll have even more fun doing it.  


 

Q: What's something that most people don't know about you?

A: I asked Pete, the drummer/guitarist, to answer this one for me: "You hate baby pigeons, although you've never seen one." Thanks, Pete.