Meet Nick Veine | Music Composer, Performer, and Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nick Veine and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nick, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
“I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain.”–John Adams, 1780

This always resonates with me because it shows the importance of art in a culture. Yes, a people or a country can get more money, property, political power, and scientific knowledge but should evolve to have more depth than just the bare essentials for survival. In order to survive as a species, our culture must evolve. We must strive for the pursuit of art for art’s sake. To understand ourselves and the world around us in a more spiritual and ethereal way.

There are different ways for a society to evolve and I think that music is one of the most raw expressions of the human soul that exists. We must encourage that till our dying breath.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m particularly attached to blues, jazz, bluegrass, and western swing music. I love to try to combine them in whatever way I can to make a truly unique form of music. This kind of approach to music was created from multiple avenues in my life: guitar lessons, music festivals, self-guided theory research, and collegiate-level music education. I like to distill all of these disciplines into the lessons I give my students while also keeping it grounded in the real world of music practice and improvisation.

Overall, I haven’t had too many barriers thrown in my way– I’m from a middle-class white family in northwest Michigan and have, by all accounts, had a great life. My own personal struggles with anxiety, depression, and addiction are the ones that get in the way of my craft and happiness the most. But I work through those one day at a time like everyone else and come out better for it at the other end.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Northwest Michigan has some great spots for food and drink. I would probably spend the first day in my hometown of Manistee going to the beach, walking the peer, getting some dinner at TJ’s Pub and then making our way to Third Life Brewing for a beer before going to watch the sunset at 1st Street Beach.

The next day, we’d go up M-22 and hang out in Arcadia- go to the scenic turnout, spend some time at the food trucks in town (Ketch-22 and the crepe truck whose name escapes me) and then make our way to Frankfort.

I think lunch at the Fusion and a nice long walk in the town of Frankfort would be the next move. Then pizza and beer at Stormcloud Brewing and ice cream at The Scoop!

Then I’d probably say the rest of the week would be best spent in Traverse City! Places like Rare Bird, Red Ginger, Workshop Brewing, North Peak Brewing, and Oryana would be my hot spots.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents deserve the biggest thank you. Even now, they attend most of my shows (even hours away from their home). They helped pay for lessons, school, instruments, and more. They have always been my biggest supporters and fans and I cannot thank them enough for that.

Instagram: instagram.com/highsodiumblues

Facebook: facebook.com/NVeine

Tiktok: tiktok.com/@highsodiumblues

Image Credits
Riley Johnson (@scumbagcreations)