Nick Jaina: Climbing The Beanstalks
Nick Jaina is at the top of his game.
In this reader’s opinion, Jaina’s produced some of the most compelling writing the Willamette Week music section (or any metro weekly paper or affiliated blog) has printed with his column Nick Jaina’s Little Box Of Lies. The title is a miscue, as the writing is neither little, or the work of a liar. Each installment is a full blown essay, and is brimming with the rare honesty of one who has calculated there’s really nothing to loose for not keeping up appearances, or probing prevailing notions.
There are a lot of words on the internet, but if you have any interest in the topic of making a career in music, you’ll likely find Jaina’s writing touching, funny, insightful, well organized and occasionally contentious:
Nick Jaina’s Little Box Of Lies
While you’re reading, do yourself the favor of cuing up Jaina’s latest long-player The Beanstalks That Have Brought Us Here Are Gone. It’s an edifying listen and noteworthy for Jaina’s decision to let an impressive and well-curated selection of women to sing on his behalf. Get your own digital copy from bandcamp or wait a few weeks for a more tangible version.
Lastly, for the Portlanders that may be reading this, Nick is going to premiere his latest undertaking, music for The New York City Ballet this Thursday July 30th at The Alberta Rose Theatre. (No dancing, just music.) It’s safe to expect something great.