We were lucky to catch up with Nick Veine recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Nick thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
One of my favorite things in music has been learning. I’ve taken private lessons and received 2 music degrees. That being said, I’ve also learned quite a bit from YouTube videos, music camps/workshops/conferences, and jam sessions, as well as my own students.
Just this evening I had a very extensive conversation with a student of mine about the origins of music theory and why certain things sound good. Last weekend, I was fully immersed in the Great Lakes Music Camp; surrounded by great teachers, I learned so much from small-group classes, one-on-one sessions, and large jams. I constantly think about music theory and practice and how to learn and hone my craft.
Nick, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m a singer-songwriter and composer born and raised in Manistee, MI. I grew up playing rock and blues before I started singing, pivoting to acoustic music without losing that electric flair.
My passion encouraged me to attend Berklee College of Music, where I earned my Bachelor of Music in Contemporary Writing & Production and eventually to pursuing and completing a Master of Music in Classical Composition at Belmont University. Degrees aside, some of the best education I got was from collaborating with other musicians in jam sessions, private lessons, and a cappella groups.
I currently provide private lessons in music theory, guitar, and voice. I’m also a content creator on TikTok where I make music theory videos and jazz reharms of Super Mario Bros. tunes :)
I’m also a touring musician performing an eclectic mix of blues, country, jazz, and original music around the mitten. Think Johnny Cash meets James Taylor meets Alan Menken.
Later next month, I’ll be performing with my friend Ben Traverse on a release tour for an album of Irish music.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Art needs to be revered. Too often, it’s more of an afterthought than anything else. But looking around, we listen to music everywhere. Our fields of vision are bombarded by beautiful art every day (and not-so-beautiful in the forms of advertising). That TV show you’re watching? Film-makers. Composers. Actors. All artists and all equally important to society if we are to move past pure consumerism and consumption.
John Adams said, “I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain.”
I do believe we are more than 2 generations after him and thus justifiably able to indulge in the arts and enrich the human spirit.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I’ve always been interested in how things work. I’ve been known to take great interest in complex mathematics, astrophysics, and the science behind music theory.
I would love to have every tool I could possibly use to create the most beautiful and/or intellectually enriching music I can. I also want to be able to codify that into a cohesive package and use it to inspire future generations of musicians and academics.
That and playing guitar and singing are really fun :)
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highsodiumblues/
- Facebook: facebook.com/NVeine
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@highsodiumblues
Image Credits
Riley Johnson (@scumbagcreations) Jonathan Alfano (@wildsubterranean)