#nickmossband

[stewartentertainment]

Congratulations again to the #nickmossband for winning the #2020 #SongOfTheYear at the #bluesmusicawards!! https://www.instagram.com/p/CKFy6WiBUVJ/?igshid=i52a3rvfsmga

[mikethebarberchicago]

Always a pleasure when people recommended our shop. Last week we had @nickmossblues from @nickmossband stop in! Check out his band on the legendary blues label @alligatorrecs out of Chicago. . . . Schedule your next appointment online at www.IronHeritage.co or by downloading the @booksybiz on your smartphone! . . . #chicago #chicagoblues #blues #musician #nickmossband #igdaily #igers #igchicago #chicagobarber #chicagobarbershop #pomp #pompadour (at Band of Bohemia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7UAx83BFqI/?igshid=1vaol9xk2a26x

[mikethebarberchicago]

@nickmossblues of the @nickmossband on the legendary blues label @alligatorrecs stopped in the shop last week. We cut lots of hair off this Chicago blues musician. More pics coming soon! Thanks for stopping in Nick! #nickmoss #nickmossband #alligatorrecords #blues #chicagoblues #pomp #pompadour (at Barbers at Iron Heritage Co.) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7RE0gmBZlg/?igshid=y8lxt2ql24tf

[defyrecordings]

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Blazing set tonight by @nickmossband with @badassharmonica We had a blast! #livemusic #blues #nickmossband #chicago #alligatorrecords #newyork (at City Winery NYC) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzm6ncPhdZb/?igshid=1jsyc7uepu752

[jtstreiff]

Back at it tonight at JV’s in Falls Church, VA! #touringmusician #chicagoblues #bluespiano #nickmossband #alligatorrecords (at JV's Restaurant) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpqLVCCHtRA/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1kxdfmc2jwgb0

[jtstreiff]

Back at it tonight in Copenhagen! #nickmossband #touringmusician #chicagoblues #alligatorrecords #bluespiano https://www.instagram.com/p/BpZ5prqnbFN/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=f0hnnr956f1j

[jtstreiff]

Band house vibes 🇳🇴 #norwaytour2018 #worldtraveler #nickmossband #touringmusician https://www.instagram.com/p/BnqmNCoAokI/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=5z8zmhml9n8w

[jtstreiff]

What Makes A Good Band?

I had such a shit day today, in terms of projecting negative energy and being stressed out for no good reason. To put it simply, I was being an ass, and stressing out my boss, and the band for no reason.

I’m traveling with the band in Norway, and have very much enjoyed my time here on this particular trip thus far. I’ve enjoyed the food, the people, and the incomparable beauty of the landscape.

So why be stressed?

Maybe it’s the travel, the inevitable adjustment to the time zone (7 hours ahead), or that I just miss my family, my friends, Chicago, and St. Louis. To put it very simply, I just can’t explain it. Today, my emotions just got the best of me. As a creative, this happens A LOT. You suddenly feel shitty for no logical explanation. As an artist or creative, your “highs” and ”lows” can be extremely varied and difficult to handle in the moment. But you have to do your job and be a professional.

So that’s what I did. I got on stage, trying desperately to separate my shit day from the task at hand. I played  my ass off for the first couple up tempo songs, yet still feeling a bit uncomfortable with my playing, and with my emotions. But I did my job. The crowd was into it. The rhythm section was tight, and Nick and Dennis are killing it.

Third song of the set, Nick calls off a slow blues, and asks Dennis to play some Sonny Boy style acoustic harp. Patrick and Michael lay the groove down perfectly, and I settled in, contempt with playing some big, two handed chords to back up Nick’s soulful singing and guitar playing...

“Woman, you must be crazy...”

And then, for one of the few times in my short career as a touring musician, I started to cry on stage. I tried my best to hold back my tears behind my cheap-ass, fake Ray Ban style sunglasses. The audience probably thought it was just me sweating profusely due to my animated stage presence. At least I hope they thought that...

But in all honesty, I was truly moved by the moment. Each of us in the band was playing to our absolute BEST ability to play to the SONG. And this is an incredibly emotional song! It’s about realizing it’s more important to let someone go, in the hopes that without you around, they will do better. 

Dennis took one of THE best acoustic harp solos I’ve literally ever heard live, and I lost it. I had to take my left hand off the piano and wipe my eyes multiple times. 

And then I finally realized it. After all these years.

On stage, none of the negative bullshit throughout the day matters. It’s all about the moment, and the music.

And that’s what made me cry. The fact that night after night we are willing to let go anyone’s negative energy, and to play to the music. 

To play to the song.

It’s as simple as that.

And THAT’s what makes a good band.