I make music because I couldn’t recognize myself without it. I make music because it brings joy into my life, because even sad songs are a celebration. I make music because it’s the best way I know how to connect with everyone else.

Piano has always been my main instrument, and I've definitely been influenced by guys like Randy Newman and Elton John — two artists whose songs really emerge out of the piano. But I also write a lot of songs on guitar, too.

My influences are pretty varied, and they're always changing, but there are certain people I always seem to come back to. I listen to The Band constantly. I love the Stones, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan and Ry Cooder.

I discovered blues music at a young age, and in some ways blues is still where I feel most at home. Howlin' Wolf, Skip James, Otis Span, Fred McDowell, James Booker and Dr. John are some of my all-time favorites.

Other artists who've meant a lot to me include Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Billy Preston, Donny Hathaway — the Giants of Soul. Also, some of the great bluegrass and country musicians — Hank Williams, Graham Parsons, George Jones, Gillian Welch.

I was born in Boston in 1979. My dad was a violinist for the Boston Symphony Orchestra. One of my first memories of music was hearing my dad play. He used to walk around the house while he practiced. A scale that began in the living room might finish in the kitchen!

I went to a small high school outside of Boston. There wasn't much of a music program but there were five or six kids who were really good musicians and they were into blues. We had an amazing music teacher name Bruce Katz who introduced us to masters like Magic Sam, Otis Rush and Freddie King..

Bruce's influence — he happens to be one of the baddest Hammond B3 players — and just being around these kids who were already playing at such a high level really got me serious about music and we wound up adding our own rock twist in bands like Peregrine's Flight and Mulecrossing. I live in New York now and I've played in a few groups there — the Ben Carroll Band, the Minors and the Bathtub Mary’s.

Last year I met my producers Ray Bardani and Leo Sacks. They’re real music guys, brilliant at what they do. They love being in the studio and they live to make records. After the heartbreak of Katrina they gathered some of my favorite New Orleans musicians and made an amazing record called Sing Me Back Home, by the New Orleans Social Club. It's political, it's defiant and it's funky.

We recorded two new songs — "Money" and "Tell Me Why" — at Steve Rosenthal's Magic Shop on Crosby Street in Soho. Got to use some vintage gear, which was a blast. My personal favorite was the harmonium; it's kind of like playing piano while working out on a Stairmaster.

My old friends and band mates Tom Appleman and Jeff Rothman played bass and drums on the tracks. I've known them both for over ten years and it was amazing just to hang and play with them again. Graham "Rumples" Norwood, another old friend and former Bathtub Mary, plays acoustic on "Tell Me Why," and the great session player Nick Morock lays down the electric guitar on "Money."

Just want to say Thank You to everyone who helped out with these recordings. I feel very fortunate to have worked with such gifted musicians and producers. I'm looking forward to continuing what we started.

We're hoping to start work on a new album soon.

Peace,

Nick P