Artist Spotlight ~ Pesky J. Nixon

Boston Band Hits High Notes at Premiere Venues and Festival Circuit!

Richly blended harmonies, musical diversity drawn from a variety of influences, and genuine camaraderie make for a musical experience not soon forgotten. Pesky J. Nixon is comprised of Ethan Scott Baird, Jake Bush, Dan Carp, and Eric McDonald. Affectionately known as PJN this powerhouse of “Brothers” is at once thoughtful with their lyrics, and engages their audiences with pure energy and a brotherly bickering combining to make a bombastic yet brilliant stage show.

2010 saw the group chosen for Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artist showcase and voted overwhelmingly by the audience in a 25% landslide of votes as “Most Wanted” to return to the Falcon Ridge stage in 2012. They were also awarded a Formal showcase at the North East Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) in 2010, a prestigious conference attended by both artists and the music industry at large.

In the early years the band spent many hours rehearsing at Ethan’s house in the attic, and eventually held their first public appearances which began as house concerts in that space. PJN’s debut album “Good Grief” showcased the best of the acoustic world with a sprit of electric rock, while “Monkey Business & Mislaid Hopes” which came out in 2010, plays to the disparate sounds of southern, urban and informal folk, and has been repeatedly mentioned as one of the top records in the industry. Darius Ripps of Oliver DiPlace describes the album as “songs of partings, with the best possible grace.”

The stand out factor about Pesky J. Nixon is their involvement within the folk community, their ability to bring folks out to shows, as well as the inclusion of people in sing along’s at shows, conferences and wherever they can start up a good old fashioned hootenanny.

It’s not a surprise that their next album “Red Ducks” releasing March 30 at Lizard Lounge, Cambridge MA, emerges with the same intent. “Red Ducks” is an album that will pay homage to friends and artists who have influenced them (Anthony da Costa,Tim Gearan and Jimmy Ryan are friends … Gillian Welch and Tom Waits have been inspirations and influences). It is also a response to their last album, which was a fully produced studio album. This album “Red Ducks” will present a stripped-down side to give listeners a truer sense of their sound live. The only players on the album are the band itself, with the exception of frequent player Kara Kulpa who plays violin on a track and sings on another.

About the monkey:

For those who have had the pleasure to hear Pesky J. Nixon, at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival campfire, or Emerging Artist Stage; as a Formal Showcase at NERFA or in the conference hotel lobby, there is another member of the band many ask about. Who is Newman J. Nixon? Why the plaster monkey butler? We wanted to know, and figured you did too! We got the scoop and the story will touch your heart, and explain just exactly why PJN is one of THE hottest festival bands this season, but also why they are heart and soul and all about the people in their lives and songs! Tune in next month for Newman’s Story.

“They raise the roof. Like Moxy Fruvous and Great Big Sea they are a band that makes me feel good no matter what. They radiate positive vibes. Their new songs are moving in a new direction; they are growing as artists as we watch.” Gordon Nash ~ Wise Madness

“These guys represent what I love about music…great playing, thoughtful lyrics, and musicians who actually enjoy playing together!” -Jay Moberg – WUMB Radio

For more information and the full tour schedule please visit their website here