Heavenly Blues

How do you describe Heavenly Blues’ music?
I was born in central New York and moved to Texas when I was six years old because of my parents' divorce. I grew up in a full house both in New York and Texas (I traveled back and forth a lot my whole life). My dad was a drummer in a blues band, my mom loved Joni Mitchell and James Taylor. I left America in 2002 when I fell in love with a woman who was half Swedish. Now I'm divorced and still here... now a Swedish citizen.

How do you define your musical style and your important influences?
I like to tell stories – real and fictional. The sound that the music takes on is really just dependent on the fellow musicians that are around me. I am mostly inflenced by people in my life. I hear musicians that I respect all the time at live shows and on youtube and a variety of different avenues... The first music I can remember listening to is a tape I had by James Taylor, his Greatest Hits record from the 70s. I used to go to bed to that tape everynight. One night my Grandma Pat came in to start the tape for me, my brother, and my sister and accidentally hit record in the middle of one of the tracks. I was 6 or 7 years old, but I guess that was tthe start of recording for me... my first overdub... I guess memories like that are my biggest influences.

How did you find the experience of playing at Söderslätts Country Festival?
It was an amazing experience for me. My first impression was how kind all of the staff was to me. I was really struggling at the time with me recent divorce and I wasn't sure if I could put myself out there that day. Then to see the response of the audience. It was the best experince I have ever had performing live... I just wish that my band could have been with me.

We chose to combine music and the image of the Old West by having the festival at a horse farm. What did you think of our concept?
I think it helped people to relax and get into the experience of being somewhere else or someone else for a weekend. 

Are you open to the idea of playing at the festival again next years?
ABSOLUTELY!

Would you recommend Söderslätts Country Festival to other musician friends?
Yes! And I already have.

How can all your new-found fans get in touch with you?
Either direct email or facebook. nick@heavenlyblues.org

If we look into the near future, what are the next steps for Heavenly Blues as an artist?
Well, we recorded a new record that I am finishing up and will be releasing next year. I have already begun assembling new material for a third record too. My goal is to be able to play more venues and events like Söderslätts Country Festival!

Originally published in Swedish on January 6, 2012 on www.soderslattscountryfestival.se - Söderslätts Country Festival

(English translation follows)

När en avi trillar in genom brevinkastet så brukar det i min värld betyda vinyldags i tolvtumsformat, och så var även fallet när albumet Rolling Dawn hittade hem till mig. Vinyl och band jag aldrig har hört talas om är utan tvekan en win win-situation i min bok, så redan där hade Heavenly Bluesfått in två fullträffar utan att en endaste ton hunnit nå mina öron. Märkligt? Nja, precis som att vi äter med ögonen så handlar även musik om så mycket mer än just musik.

Nedslagen på en vitlurvig matta framför vinylspelaren för jag sedan sakta nålen till spår ett, och väntar ihärdigt på vad som komma skall. Ett försiktigt plockande på gitarren inleder titelspåret Rolling dawn, och när sedan Nicholas röst smyger sig in känns värmen direkt. Det är som att den vita och lurviga mattan får ett eget liv, och värmer hela mig istället för endast mina bakre regioner. Tänk er Forgather i en blandning med sentida Loosegoats, och lägg till lite folk/country-känsla på det så är ni ganska nära vad Heavenly Blues handlar om. Det är avskalat och familjärt utan att för den skull någonsin bli riktigt naket. Det personliga upplägget skrapar endast på ytan, och bidrar därigenom till att nyfikenheten får fritt fram att spinna vidare på egen hand. Om dessa ord har skapat ett sug så se till att särskilt lyssna på låten Send me flowers, eller den Austin Lucas-doftande The wine got me thinking.

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When a package slip tumbles in through the mail slot, in my world that means 12-inch-vinyl-time, and that was exactly the case when ‘Rolling Dawn’ found me in my home. Vinyl and a band I’ve never heard of is without a doubt a win-win-situation in my book, and already there has Heavenly Blues gotten two bonus points before a note even hits my ears. Peculiar? Nah… just like visual presentation is so important when we eat, so it is with music.

Sitting on the white carpet in front of my turntable, I slowly drop the needle down to the first track and wait eagerly for what might come. A careful picking on the acoustic guitar leadsin on the title track “Rolling Dawn”, and when Nicholas’ voice sneaks in the warmth is felt immediately. It is as though the white shag carpet I’m sitting on get a life of its own wrapping me up and warming me in entirety. Think Forgather filtered through late Loosegoats, add a little folk-country vibe on that and you have a pretty good idea what Heavenly Blues is all about. The music is paired down and familiar without even being overtly naked. But the personal approach is only a scratch on the surface and they leave plenty of room for the listener’s curiosity to run wild. If these words create a desire then be sure to check out tracks, “Send Me Flowers”, and the Austin Lucas-tinged “The Wine Got Me Thinking”. - Lukinzine.se