Nick Jaina Press

“His gifts with the pen are Jaina’s main appeal, as he crafts each song with a stylish, poetic grace that intertwines with his soft, raspy voice. While the end result has its own stunning appeal, the writing itself wears on Jaina. “I really hate writing. I love having written something, and I am proud to be a writer, but the process of writing I hate.” He continues, “I think it’s what pushed me into music. Sitting in front of a piano is fun, playing music with your friends is thrilling, but sitting in front of a screen and trying to come up with words is hell.” – Willamette Week

“A beautifully interwoven effort… depicting elements of human loss, He perhaps puts it best by stating that the lyrics are as economical as the words in children’s stories, as emotional as journal entries, and as deep as the Bible…Wool will certainly appeal to a niche that recognizes quality as a form of emotional sincerity, regardless of volume or tempo.” – Obscure Sound

“But the very thing that causes many classical aficionados to stiff at the simplicity of pop music is, I would contend, pop’s very strength–what Proust, of all people, referred to as “the magic appeal to the imagination” found in things that those interested only in “intellectual weightiness” would condemn as “frivolous.”  Or maybe it’s compelling simply because Jaina–itinerant, whimsical, a former archaeology student–is himself compelling, in a quirky sort of way.  – Fingertips

“A collection of lush, intimate, piano-driven “ballads and lullabies,” Wool has been on repeat in my house for two days straight, with no end in sight.” – Fabulist

“Jaina actually started the album writing songs on Elliott Smith’s old piano, and there’s a hint of Smith’s Baby Britainswing to the wordless la da da da da da dum chorus, [from “Maryanne”] – Willamette Week

“Rather than try to control his music, Jaina seems to allow his songs to guide him, as if he is but the vessel.” – Berkely Place

” Though his latest album, Wool, covers the quiet paths already well trodden by the likes of Elliott Smith, Jaina brings a maturity and painstaking focus to the territory which is missed by most of the genre’s imitators.” – The Vangaurd

“You’ve gotta use what you’ve got; Jaina’s figured that much out. So when “Maybe Cocaine” asks, “Why am I writing songs?” Jaina has his answer: Wool is why.”- Willamette Week

“[Jaina’s songs] are carved from nostalgia, but with polished, adult themes. His voice is urgent yet ultra-melodic.” – The Oregonian

“The blend of clarinets, accordion, violin, keyboards, random percussion, and guitar sounds like the anthems made for the most glorious hobo nation on earth sort of Tom Waits playing at a kangaroo carnival, with brief interruptions for the funeral of Paul Simon and Elvis Perkins.” – Seattle Weekly