The first time you listen to the music of artist Nick Waterhouse, the Orange County native gives you the immediate impression that he is having fun at what he does for a living. Waterhouse has been having a blast the last several years as his name has shot through the roof in recognition of his undeniable musical talents.
“I really didn’t think that I would have a career,” Waterhouse said. “I’m just grateful I get to do what I was engaged in as a kid.”
The first time you listen to the music of artist Nick Waterhouse, the Orange County native gives you the immediate impression that he is having fun at what he does for a living. Waterhouse has been having a blast the last several years as his name has shot through the roof in recognition of his undeniable musical talents.
“I really didn’t think that I would have a career,” Waterhouse said. “I’m just grateful I get to do what I was engaged in as a kid.”
He’s been covered by the likes of Rolling Stone magazine and other high-tier media outlets. With only two albums under his belt, Waterhouse is already a force in the jazz, soul, rhythm and blues genre. His latest album, “Holly,” picks up where he left on “Time’s All Gone.” The best way to describe Waterhouse’s music is not to put it in a box.
Categories and labels is not what Waterhouse is into much. In fact, it would do an injustice to pin down the remarkable and unique sound that Waterhouse has created. His music crosses genres and expands all over the horizon. Those fans can hear and see Waterhouse doing his thing Saturday, Jan. 24 in a free outdoor concert at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts Plaza. Returning home is always a welcomed opportunity for Waterhouse.
“I’m an Orange County native. I was born and raised around Huntington Beach and Costa Mesa, so It’s always nice to play a hometown show,” Waterhouse said.
That’s what Waterhouse is all about. He’d rather make music and entertain his growing allegiance of fans across the country and around the globe.
The guitar-playing Waterhouse doesn’t feel like he’s working when he’s recording his music or playing in front of a live audience; he’s just doing his thing-creating good music for the soul. There are some quick to label Waterhouse as a neo-soul artist but he describes titles as something that is left up for other people to decide. He would rather concentrate on perfecting his craft.
“Those words are just for people to talk about,” Waterhouse said.
There is the idea that Waterhouse is a somewhat of a blend between soul, jazz and R & B is in line with the group of musicians that have influenced his melody of music. The Old School flavor of Sam Cooke, Sam and Dave, Solomon Burke, Van Morrison, Ray Charles and others such as Miles Davis and John Coltrane have a deep reflection on his sound.
But Waterhouse hits his stride when he uses those influences to generate his own sound which is fluidly hip, soulful and has the smoldering attitude of penetrating jazz. His growth as a musician is a natural progression, which can be distinctively heard on both of his albums. Whereas “Time’s All Gone” was a spontaneous project, “Holly” has a more focused direction to it, Waterhouse said.
“The first one (Time’s All Gone) was thrown together in a charming way,” Waterhouse said. “The second one (Holly)was a little bit more orchestration.”
Holly, which was released last March is a collaboration of rock, soul and R &B thrown together. The featured hit on the LP is “This is a Game,” a perfect blend of nuanced jazz mixed in with the right dose of rock and soul. Still, “Time’s All Gone,” is an album that Waterhouse has an affinity for.
“I think that what made it special was the way I put it together,” Waterhouse said. “It was very off-the-cuff. I really believed in it.”
