Q&A: Nick Goose

Written by  Published in Interviews Thursday, 09 June 2011 10:00

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As we reviewed last week, Nick Goose’s first solo EP is a winner. The Los Angeles-based musician brings his brand of indie-alt-rock to the table, blending material from his earlier bands with his own personal flavor. Bestnewbands.com chatted with the singer/songwriter about the basis for his EP, the songwriting process and whether or not he is planning on touring this year.

Daniel Kohn: What was the impetus for the EP?

Nick Goose: About a year after my last band broke up, I started writing some songs on my own. I had no real plan to do anything with them, it was just happening. So after awhile, I needed a goal, or no song would actually be completely finished. An EP seemed like a reasonable goal.

 

DK: How did playing in other bands effect the writing? Were there traces of your former outfit on here or is it predominately stuff you've done?

NG: It definitely was a progression. In my first band, jibliminis, I was lead guitar and only wrote my guitar parts. In my second band, The Southland, I was involved in writing and producing the album. In that project, I learned a lot about songwriting, recording and the whole process but was not independently responsible for the music and lyrics.

 

DK: What was the writing and recording like? Did you find it daunting to write solo material?

NG: The writing was a natural process. I wrote at home and recorded the basic tracks in my own time. I pretty much had each song finished before I went to the studio. Then I worked with my friend, Jascha Ryneck, in his studio in Koreatown. Anything loud we redid there. He also has a better pro tools set-up, more plugins, and is a much better mixer. Bonus.

Was it daunting? I guess, but also liberating. Not to have to check with anyone about a part or a sound. Not to have to watch a label listen to it and pick it apart. I made it till I was happy... and maybe others would enjoy it later.

 

DK: When are you looking to put out your full-length?

NG: I was actually thinking of adding songs to this and making that an album. If I were responsible for creating a whole album at the rate I created this, who knows how long it would take.

 

DK: Are there going to be any shows?

NG: To be honest, I hadn't really thought about it. Considering, I have only sang live in front of my girlfriend, it may take some convincing. Maybe that will be my new goal.

 

DK: What are your plans for the rest of 2011?

NG: Keep on doing what I am doing. Writing and recording at home and hopefully playing out by the end of the year. I am finding new inspiration everywhere and I'm looking forward to taking these goals and creating something tangible.

 

Nick Goose’s album is available on iTunes.
Last modified on Wednesday, 08 June 2011 22:55
Daniel Kohn

Ever since he first heard the opening chords to "Smells Like Teen Spirit," at the age of 11, Daniel Kohn has been hooked on music. Born in New York City, raised in the music hotbed of Long Island and currently residing in Los Angeles, Kohn has been writing since high school, when he realized he could get CDs for free. He's a sucker for '90s music, especially that from Seattle. Like a small minority of Americans, he likes football of the European variety, especially Liverpool. When he's not chasing down bands, you can find him at your local pub with a pint of Carlsberg, usually at ungodly hours cheering on his beloved Reds. 

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