Nick Waterhouse’s warm recordings take me back to hearing my
dad’s records in the basement as a child, where his vintage Sansui
stereo made everything sound like the soundtrack to a Scorsese
film. He blends influences from days past to make records that deal
with modern problems in a classic way. His latest self-titled
record takes everything he’s learned over the last three and
perfects into a masterclass of precise minimalism.
Nick’s approach is admittedly utilitarian. He purposefully
makes sure not to get too obsessive with guitar mastery, so that he
can worry about less about how technical his licks are and more
about making the instrument emote. He understands and acknowledges
the limitations of his voice, but makes sure every grunt and growl
an extended note brings takes the listener on the same emotional
journey he’s on. He works with what’s accessible to bring the
sounds in his head to life.
I talked to Nick about his upbringing in Orange County, and
his coming-of-age-movie-worthy summer job in the dying days of the
major record store chains. We talk about his pivotal days in San
Francisco post dot com boom, pre new tech boom, where he DJ’d in a
very particular rock n’ roll warehouse scene. We also discuss the
misconceptions people have about him as an artist and the stigma of
being labeled “retro.” All that and more this week on “You Feel
Me.”