Latest posts by William Brookson
(see all)Nick Faye is a songwriter from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, living on Treaty 4 Territory. Growing out of the same Saskatchewan emo-acoustic-hardcore scene of the late 2000’s that spawned the likes of Andy Shauf, Foxwarren, and Northcote, Faye crafts timeless songs that honour this past, embracing the hopes, dreams and frustrations of life lived in the Canadian Prairies. Fusing this with a clear love of mid-90s Pop Rock (think Rick Dees and The Weekly Top 40 in 1999), he creates songs that stick in the mind like a prairie snowdrift – taking their sweet time to melt away, slowly revealing the hope of new beginnings to come.
Nick’s new song, “Lonely,” explores themes around healthy and good love: approaching a relationship with good intentions of trying to be a good partner, encouraging healthy communication, and trying to make your partner feel safe and loved. It’s an anthem for everyone out there who is trying their best to be a good partner, and trying their best to help their partners feel safe to ask for what they want. Reciprocity is a major theme of this song, and the upcoming album it will hail from.
1. What did you enjoy most about the recording process of this new release?
I think my favourite part of recording “Lonely” was actually getting together with the band and hanging out and having fun recording music again. During COVID the producer of Lonely (Chris Dimas) and I made an EP without the band and it was fun but I definitely missed hanging out with the guys. This is the first time since 2019 that we’ve actually gotten to record music with the full band again!
2. Share a nugget of advice that has resonated with you most over the years.
Music-wise as an artist, I think the nugget of advice that has resonated with me the most has been to ALWAYS remember what inspired you to start writing/recording/producing music. There’s been so many times where I’ve been frustrated and jaded with the industry pressures of trying to make, share, perform, and fund my art. Whenever I think about being a teenager and getting to go to “local shows” of amazing songwriting inspirations like Andy Shauf that some punk rock/hardcore show promoter was putting on in rural Saskatchewan, Canada, it helps ground me and remind me of the love and passion I had as a kid for watching and participating in local music scenes.
3. Who would be your dream artist/band to co-headline a tour with?
Hmm good question! I think it would be so fun to play a show with Donovan Woods, Maggie Rogers, Barenaked Ladies, or Sloan would be so fun!
4. What sets your music apart from others in your genre?
Not really sure if my music is anything different or special! I just try to write interesting stories/songs that are meaningful to me, and then have fun recording it with my friends!
5. Tell us what your favourite song is at the moment and why.
Right now I think my two favourite songs that I’ve been obsessed with are “She’s Leaving You” by MJ Lenderman and “Chicago” by Japandroids. I’ve been doing a lot of biking and gardening outside this summer and those two songs scream “SUMMER 2024” to me. It’s interesting how deeply engrained and triggering music can be to transport you back to specific times and places and memories.
