The Nico Blues: never the same thing twice

The Nico Blues is a band from New York that is proud of its DIY approach to making music. The members of the band discuss the creative process, bands they would like to play with, and how they would occupy themselves if they weren't making music.

Complete the sentence. The Nico Blues is...

5 guys who have a serious appreciation for music, and want to create fresh, exciting songs for music fans.

Take us inside the creative process. Give an example of how a Nico Blues tune might come together.

This happens a number of ways. Eric or Evan may come to the band with a song on guitar and a vocal melody, and then we build layers onto that. Other songs come entirely out of jams, often remaining very close to their original form when they're first jammed out. The reason our songs hit on such a range of different styles is because they are never written the same way twice.

What can we expect from the upcoming album?

It's a huge step forward. We're more competent engineers/producers/mixers now, so without regard to the music, it will just sound better. About the songwriting, it's more varied than ever. There are folk songs, post-hardcore songs, alternative rock songs, and some that lack a description entirely. We've embraced alot dirtier distortion this time around, and modeled our guitars after bands like Dinosaur Jr and other indie pioneers. Overall, it's just exciting. 9 new songs, and we promise that we never repeat ourselves.

If you could have a beer and a conversation about music with anyone, who would it be? Why?

Evan: John Frusciante, though he doesn't drink. He has a great sense of what music is about.
Reed: Craig Finn of the Hold Steady. He is the smartest frontman of our generation, and has so much to say.
Skylar: A normal dude at one of our shows. Maybe he'll have something cool to tell me.
Eric: Jack White, I want to hear about what music he's listening to.
Danny: Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse, to learn more about his unique guitar techniques

You get to put a bill together with three other artists. Who do you get to fill the bill with you?

The Hold Steady
Modest Mouse
Dinosaur Jr.

What would you be doing if you weren't making music?
Reed would be wallowing in his own shit. Evan would be climbing trees. Skylar wouldn't even be able to look in the mirror. Eric would go into hibernation. Danny would work at the gas station.

Check out videos of The Nico Blues.

Fox of the Week (1/13/10): tattooed SoCal Glamour Girl Natasha

Natasha is a model for SoCal Glamour Girls. She discusses her tattoos, her love of trucks and dirt bikes, and what's the best part of being a Glamour Girl.

You have 9 tattoos. Which one is your favorite? Where is it located?

Yes I have 9 tats and honestly I love them all but of course I have my favorites! If I had to choose I would say that my favorite tattoo is my half sleeve located on my left arm. I love its beauty. The bright colors are amazing and always stand out but aside from its physical beauty it holds a lot of beauty within its meaning to me. It empowers a lot of who I am, stands for what I believe in, and reminds me of things I have been through.

You say you're not the girl next door but a bad girl. What's something bad you've done that surprises people?

I have been known to say I am a bad girl and c'mon now do I look like your girl next door! [laughs] My usual saying is that "I am not your girl next door but that bitch down the street"! I have my naughty side that is for sure but deep down I am a very down-to-earth loving person who is typically very sweet but push me and that bitch comes out! [laughs] To be honest my list of bad things I have done is not to impressive. Sure I shoplifted as a kid and stirred up trouble in my younger days but for the most part I stay out of trouble [laughs], for the most part. My list of naughty is much more impressive! However something bad I have done that would probably surprise people is... well if I gave away my secrets then nothing will ever surprise them ever again. I will leave that one up to all of your imaginations. [laughs] This should be interesting! Hmmm this could be a fun game - guess what bad things Natasha has done! What do you think? Plus if I gave away my bad side then people would know what to expect from me and I like to be unpredictable!

You like trucks, dirt bikes and sports like MMA and football. Do you get a lot of marriage propositions?

I love trucks the bigger the better. Love dirt bikes especially loud powerful ones, and I have a major love for sports especially MMA and football! I am a huge football fan I go all out when I watch games and I am in NO WAY like some girls who just watch it to look cute and get guys. Hell no! I understand it and I want to watch it! Go Chargers and Goooo Giants! UFC is a definite love for me. It's just so exciting to watch honestly I would love to be in the UFC as a fighter! I have always been a bit of a tomboy as a kid I always played with the boys and always loved getting dirty eh I guess not much has changed cuz I still play with the boys and keep up with them and I am always ready to get dirty! I am definitely that girl that would rather turn on the game then watch soaps and I am not the chick flick kinda girl either. I love my action movies: the more action the better - gore included! An awesome date for me would be going to a football game, dirt biking, watching a fight. You get the idea! Most guys would tell you I am the perfect chick and I have been known to get along better with guys as apposed to girls maybe that's cuz there is a major lack of drama! However I will have to say that I have not gotten one serious marriage proposal. But I did say serious ones. [laughs] I have gotten many guys who say "Oh my God! Marry me please!"

What is the best thing about working with SoCal Glamour Girls?

I started working with the Socal girls almost a year ago! I have had a blast! Working with them is awesome, in fact you cannot really call it work! I mean c'mon do you really think hanging with sexy girls taking sexy pics and doing super hot vids is work? No way! It's fun! Hmmm the best part of working with them would have to be the "No Drama rule at the studio"! Just teasing! The best part about working with the SoCalGlamourGirls is being part of such a loving & fun community, and getting to meet so many amazing people including hot girls! [laughs] SoCalGlamourGirls team is the best team of great people!

If you could do a photo shoot anywhere, what location would you choose?

I could pick so many awesome places! Now I may have to answer this one in two ways! My guy side that loves to get dirty would have to say that an awesome place for a photo shoot would be in the middle of a beautiful desert with my dirt bike as my prop or a football field in the mud! Now my more girlie side would say that an awesome location of a shoot would be on sum isolated private island where its me and the beautiful ocean and white sand. Isn't that every girls dream?

What is one goal you hope to accomplish?

Well I have several goals but since your asking about one I will give you one. One goal that I would like to accomplish, wait let me rephrase that...I will accomplish is to get my degree in nursing and become a registered nurse working in a hospital & of course, continue to work on my modeling career.