In this interview spotlight, I chat with Niz Wiz about the latest music, challenges, technology and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
I live on the west coast in a mysterious suburban community within Cascadia. I have been trying to classify my genre. I know there are elements of folk, rock, blues and elements of electronica and other found bits of found sounds.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
In early 2019 I had a sudden inspiration to create a conceptual body of work alone. As a person (citizen Niz ), I began to sense some kind of disconnect with common sense and out-dated and/or hijacked cultural values. I supposed some of it could be attributed to feeling …”well the world is passing me by”, like my father would say. But I had this insistent nagging feeling that it was much more than that, partisanship stances spreading worldwide, the gap between rich and poor at unhealthy levels, the bizarre rules of what money and “ownership’ really means .The disconnect / new connect that IS social media. The way many people carry old beliefs and impotent faith, as one would have a phantom limb syndrome. A-I infiltrating and defining our very identity, distilling our emotions and values to icons. I remember pontificating these thoughts in my basement studio – looking up and saying “Hey! Am I the only one feeling this?” This change, this under-toe of a tide sweeping us all potentially under water. Not knowing when we can come up for air.
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
I covered my studio door with a canvas. And with markers and rulers scribed 17 song titles that immediately entered my mind. The first was “America Fly”. I then set about recording the music for song one Side A. I would adopt a vocal ‘ character’ to inhabit and tell the story of the song. I recorded this directly to the track. over and over. Until I had the right character. cadence. words and personality. All stream of consciousness singing on every track. The NizWiz double album is an expression of feelings and fears around certain themes – primarily America, Money, God, A-I and a little bit Canada. Entirely written and recorded by myself and in consecutive order. Rave ( Dave Ogilvie ) mixed and Greg Calbi mastered. I wanted it to be vinyl only so the listener hears it as I intended. like the good ole days.
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this over saturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
Well, I am going a bit against the grain with this album. At first I didn’t want any of it to be available digitally, but you start to realize what a challenge that is in 2020 if you want anyone to even hear about it, let alone hear it. That being said I firmly believe there is incredible opportunity for artist given the access to the world marketplace that we all have. The challenge is to create something that is reactive and resonates with folks.
What was the last song you listened to?
Repercussions by Dakota Bear
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
whatever the art and the audience calls for. I am currently working almost exclusively with vinyl.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
I consume Spotify
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
Anything else before we sign off?
America’s Fate is American Made. Stay Safe!
