Nicholas Howard
10th Annual R&B Album Nominee
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Record Label: n/a
www.NicholasHowardMusic.com
Home Base: Queens, NY.
Genre: I call it Urban Soul, but when people ask me to describe the sound, I say it sounds like John Lennon and Gnarls Barkley jamming in a smoky jazz club. 
. It’s Bluesy, Jazzy, Urban Singer Songwriter stuff.
Category Entered: R&B Album
Work Submitted: God Is In The City
Label: Belief & Hustle Records.
URL: www.NicholasHowardMusic.com (All Links are at the bottom of the home page.)
Influences: I have been influenced by Ray Charles, Billie Holiday, Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Sam Cooke, Dinah Washington, but my main influencer is Life itself. There is so much to learn and so much to write about in this world of ours that every day is a song.
Describe your nominated work: Despite its title and the name of my record label it is NOT a religious record. Not that there is anything wrong with that, and not that I’m not a spiritual guy. God Is In The City is a record about NYC. About how I believe this place is a blessed one, because tons of people come here every day to realize their dreams, whatever they may be, and that energy is VERY apparent even walking down the street. I think the bulk of the songs on the record, deal, in some way, with that journey, that pilgrimage, that mission.
Why did you choose to submit this work to The 10th IMAs? I think The IMAs are a great institution and really mean a lot to the Independent community. We all want to be recognized for our work and this is a great way to do it. Plus I was chosen as a nominee for the 7th or 8th IMAs in the same category for my first album, A Rip In The Sky.
Did you use any unusual effects or instruments in this recording? No, I was interested in the most organic sound possible for this record. Strings, horns, organs, pianos, and voice make up the bulk of the record.
Were there any happy accidents while in the studio, or did everything go as planned? There are always ‘happy accidents,’ that’s why I always try and record EVERYTHING that happens so that we might capture those accidents. That just means there is a lot more editing on the back end though. Schedule wise, we stuck pretty close to the deadlines set. Planning is key in independent record production because NOTHING is cheap when you want it done right.
Did fans help you fund this project? Kind of. A friend of mine died, who was a big personal fan of mine, and left me a little money and that money went to the production of this record. She was a great woman, and will always be missed.
Who’s sitting in your audience? I am lucky to have a VERY eclectic crowd, all ethnicities, all walks of life. That’s partly why my music sounds the way it does. I have many life influences from a lot of different sources, in no small part due to the people that support me.
What makes your fans unique? They are willing to listen to a message, listen to an emotion, and intelligently discern the intricacies of this life we live.
Are there any songs you wish you wrote? Yup, the ones that I’ve yet to write. I’m excited to see what the future holds. But to answer the question directly, “Thriller” and “At Last”
What artists are you listening to that would surprise your fans? I’m really digging Jessie J right now, and because I’m not a huge pop guy, that might surprise some people. I have a pretty wide musical palette though, so I don’t think anything would REALLY surprise people.
What is your dream show lineup? “A night of 3 pianos” Nina Simone, Ray Charles, and Stevie Wonder with guest appearances by Adele, Jessie J, Janelle Monae, and Michael Jackson.
What is your guilty pleasure on the road? Blueberries, because good fruits and vegetables are hard to find in new places. There should be an app for that.
Any close calls or mishaps while on tour? None so far, but I think that means I haven’t toured enough. I’ll get back to you in a couple years with 10 stories.
Do you have any rituals before you go on stage? I like quiet, so I shut my phone off and meditate on the upcoming show, playing through it in my mind. Then I get nervous 5 minutes before and then step on stage raring to go.
Should music be free? I think anyone that really affects you with their work should be compensated for it, but I wouldn’t sue anyone for downloading “illegally”. Sometimes people need a taste before they can support, and that’s ok, because if its being spread around, you know you’re doing something right.
How has digital affected your career? It has made it possible for me to HAVE a career. Not being funded by a major label means working from the ground up to make a record make some noise by any means necessary and the fact that digital is around has made the delivery system that much easier for artists like myself.
Are digital singles vs. full albums the future of music? I think that depends on the caliber of the artist and the type of project put out. I think a first taste of your music will always be needed to spark the sale of the album, and if the album isn’t as good as the single, you’ll know pretty fast.
Finish this sentence: The music industry is… expanding and evolving in ways that benefit the independent musician. It’s up to us to stay ahead of the curve. Thank you you IMAs for helping us with that.