Derek Nelson & The Musicians

For years the songs created by Derek Nelson had never really met the ears of an audience, existing only in his head and within the crowded pages of his notebooks.  Despite playing his first gig ever in May of 2009, Derek Nelson has been writing songs since junior high, and so it comes as no surprise that Derek Nelson's debut EP, Something Obscure, comes across as the work of a finely seasoned folk veteran.  Released in October of 2009 to praise from the likes of Spin Magazine, the Chicago Tribune, and Jim Derogatis of the Chicago Sun Times, Something Obscure takes it's time and doesn't force a thing upon the listener.  Where other Windy City musicians bring the din and clamor of our fine metropolis to the mix, Nelson's music somehow escapes the grip of the city and brings to mind a relaxing day at the beach--the waters of Lake Michigan lapping gently against the coast of Chicago.  Nelson's velvet vocals are soaked with soul, floating somewhere between the likes of Langhorne Slim, Jim James, and Easy Tiger-era Ryan Adams.  With poignant lyrics delivered effortlessly over simple guitar arrangements and mournful wails of the harmonica, Something Obscure makes for a hauntingly beautiful listening experience.

Derek Nelson and The Musicians will be playing tomorrow night, Friday, August 27th, as a part of the Square Affair at Logan Square Auditorium.  The bill also features other local acts Jon Drake & The Shakes, The Minneapolis Henrys, and The Shams Band, as well as DJ sets by Dirty Diamonds.  On the eve of this inaugural event, we spoke with Derek about Springsteen, songwriting, and the art of working the word 'thump' into an interview as many times as possible.          

LSD:  The songs on your EP, Something Obscure, are delivered quite effortlessly. The simple structure of the songs paired with your haunting vocal melodies make for a very calm and relaxed listening experience. Is this relaxed feel translated to the stage, or do you try to rock a bit more when playing live with The Musicians?

Derek Nelson:  I'd say we definitely turn it up a few notches live, and we will on our upcoming album, as well. The EP from last year was my first time releasing anything, so we made a conscious decision not to overreach, and kept everything as simple and quaint as possible. Over the last year, the band and I have been writing a lot of new songs, and they definitely have a fuller, more thumping sound. We've added some thump to the old songs, too. Did I just say thump twice?

LSD:  Are most of your songs written with a full band in mind or do you approach the songwriting with more of a solo, singer-songwriter mentality and develop the tunes from there?

DN:  They usually start out as sketches in the wee hours of the morning with simple ideas for melodies and lyrics, or are written with Pete — the guitarist/drummer and best of friends since middle school, when I was miniature and he was, well, still incredibly tall. From there, the ideas are developed with Cathy (violin) and Ryan (bass) and Sarah (vocals/'shaking things'), who bring stuff out of these songs that wouldn't come out with anybody else.

LSD:  The RedEye once wrote that you 'prove there's nothing inherently bland about a dude with a guitar.' Do you think that statement can ever really be true?

DN:  I'd say that most dudes with a guitar are pretty bland, but there are exceptions. I have no idea if I'm there yet. Generally, though, it's a good rule of thumb to be doing something different and saying something meaningful. Take Springsteen, for example: even for all his huge, wall-of-sound records, "Nebraska" is still my favorite album by him.

LSD:  Have you had any formal training in music?

DN:  Nope. Took piano lessons once in college, but that's it.

LSD:  Where are you from originally? How long have you been in Chicago and what brought you here?

DN:  I'm from the north suburbs here in Chicago. I moved out to Missouri for college, and stayed for a year after. I've been back living and playing in Chicago for about a year and a half.

LSD:  Have most of your shows been played in Chicago? Have you ventured far from the city?

DN:  We've played a couple times back in Missouri, but other than that, we've stuck to Chicago.

LSD:  Are there plans for a Derek Nelson and the Musicians tour? Any new recorded material in the works? Has your sound changed since your last release?

DN:  We've been hard at work on a new album due to drop on November 11 at Schubas. We're very amped to release it, as it'll be a great representation of the sound of our live show, with fuller instrumentation and a more grizzly, energetic feeling (fighting the urge to say "thump" again). After The Square Affair, we'll be focusing on wrapping that up for the next couple months.

LSD:  What are you interested in with regards to songwriting these days?

DN:  Just telling compelling, more cohesive stories. I've been listening a lot to the English folk scene of late, and they're great at it — Laura Marling, Jonny Flynn, the like.

LSD:  How did you come to be involved in the Square Affair?

DN:  We're good friends with the guys in The Shams Band, and we were pumped when we heard that this show was coming together, especially considering the other bands on the bill. It's going to be a great night, and can't believe it's already here. The little things leading up to it — busking out in the square, playing at the farmers market, the pre-parties — everything has been really cohesive and cool. Party of the summer this Friday, friends.

LSD:  Favorite Logan Square hangouts?

DN:  Longman and Eagle is the best breakfast I've ever had. I really like New Wave Coffee, too.
 

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The Square Affair: tomorrow night, Friday August 27th, at Logan Square Auditorium.  Do it!