Episode 36: Nik Greeley
So I’d like to thank each and every one of you who are still actually reading these dispatches after the last one. I will admit, there was a lot going on in the whole turmoil department. Thankfully, everything sort of solved itself. The city didn’t pass the music registry bill, and the bank finally saw fit to return all the money that the scammers down in Florida took from me. We’re back to somewhat of a status quo here. It feels good. Or, at least, it feels normal. I don’t feel like I’m turning these into some sort of drama-laden bitch session, but I would also be the last person to effectively judge that.
On this week’s show, I have Nik Greeley in the chair for a good, old fashioned musician geek-out. Seriously. I listened back to the conversation, and I must say it’s been a while since I’ve clicked with a guest musically in quite this way. Of course, I find a common ground with everyone who comes on the show, but occasionally I get someone who’s particular trajectory as a music listener seems very simpatico with mine. Nik and I talk about all the greats of our musical youth: Radiohead, Led Zeppelin, Parliament, and Phish. I do love getting a chance to talk some Phish with a guest. They’re polarizing, yes, but when you sit down with someone you’ve just met and you realize you can talk Phish, it’s a truly great thing. Like fans of Lovecraft, Hong Kong cinema, or vegan cooking, you truly feel a connection with someone who can come at you on your specific wavelength for a bit.
Sadly, I don’t have other aspects in common with Nik. I am not an absolute dynamo of a frontman, fronting not one but two amazing bands: Nik Greeley and the Operators, and Swift Technique (which he co-fronts with Chelsea ViaCava). Both bands have incredibly active live shows, and all total, the bands comprise of over 20 members. Nik has opened for guys like George Clinton, Karl Denson, Shuggie Otis, and the Disco Biscuits, to name a few. He’s selling out good sized venues in Philly and Brooklyn. Not bad for a guy who was, until recently, couch surfing and trying to figure out what to do with himself. What I’m saying is, if it were feasible, I wouldn’t mind being Nik Greeley for a day. Especially a day that involved George Clinton.
I hope you all dig this episode, I had a blast doing it. I’m proud and happy about every episode I do, but 2016 has been particularly gratifying so far. There’s more in store, so I thank you all for sticking around and listening. This is one of the more rewarding things I’ve ever undertaken, and it wouldn’t be nearly as rewarding without you.
Cheers,
DD