Hello All,

I thought it would be a fine time to give you my best music/ live concerts/movies/tv shows of the year.  Hopefully youll go check some of my reccomendations!

Best Albums of the Year (Top 3)

1. Supergrass - Diamond Hoo Ha

This album get catchier everytime I hear it. "When I needed You" is a fantastic supergrass song and there of course is plenty of fuzz guitar bits and massive riffs. Tasty!

2. Oasis - Dig Out Your Soul

Alright I may be a little biased on this one but It is the best Oasis album since the late 90's. Although im completely mistified at the choice of singles, "Im outta time", really?!?  Too bad the suits pick everything. the remixes are fantastic. To be Where theres love, Waiting for rapture, and get off your high horse lady are instant classics.  The truth is if some of the b-sides made it on the album instead of outta of time, it may have been nubmer 1. 

3. The Racounteers - Consolers of the Loney  

Fucking Rock and Roll. This album is kicking for most of the way. One of the best opening tracks ive heard this side of 1980.  If you havent heard any Brendon Benson solo stuff please do so.  Jack White is carrying the US rock scene all by himself in my opinion.

Honorable Mention:

Turin Brakes - Dark on Fire

This isn't the Best TB and I hate to say its the worst, but I mean it in the most respectful possible way. Ollys voice reaches new levels on this one.  A very reccommended glass of wine - chill out music

Live Concerts (top 3)

1. Lollopoluza Day 1 & 2.

Its almost unfair to count this whole festival but I have to.  Black Keys, Raccounteers, Radiohead on day one.  The atmosphere, the setlists, AMAZING. The most beuatiful woman around and lots drinking.  It was hot but completely worth it. I could have just made my top three of the seperate sets these bands had but there more more music then this one weekend! Seeing the Toadies and Rage on day two was great as well.

2. Gomez - Bring it On special show at the Vic,

Listen to one of my favorite bands play their first album in its entirety for the last time.  It was fantastic. I was so close I could spit on them, but I didn't. Finally a UK band gives americans just a little speical treatment. It doesnt hurt they recored there lastest album a few blocks from the show.

3. Oasis & Ryan Adams - Allstate Arena

Fantastic! Ryan Adams got the crowd started. Kind of sad he didnt play "To be Young" or wonderwall.  Oasis where great put on a hell of a show besides the tour drummer, He was ok, but you have to be the best to be in Oasis.  4 song encore includes an acoustic Dont look back in Anger. Ended the set with the best version of I am the walrus ever!

Honorable Mention: Wolfmother

They broke up and didnt play a show this year but if they did it would probably be number 1. 

Movies of the Year:

1. Tropic Thunder

Tom Cruise - I need say no more (thats how producers are) haha

2. Pinapple Express

Seth Rogan Smoking Pot, always funny. Best fight scene of the year.  A freaks and geeks reuinion if anyone know what im talking about.

3. Dark Night

It was filmed here in chicago, and it was badass.

Honorable Mention - Once (2007)

 I just saw this for the first time this year. Possible the most fantastic music movie ever made. Its soo simple but shows you how it works with the songwriting process. Still makes me all tingly inside. Check out The Swell Seasons music!

TV Shows

It's Always Sunny in Phildelphia

This is the best show ever. If you like a half hour of laughing your ass off, watch this.  I think some episodes are free online. I am Dayman!

Burn Notice

Bruce fucking Campbell.  Its an awesome awsome spy show on the USA network.

Hereos

This season was great lets hope they keep it up next year!

Well that about wraps it up. Leave your comments / picks if you are so inclined.

Have happy holidays everybody!

Nick Zepp will have new music out in 09'!

- Nick

Hello All,

I see it has been almost 2 months since my last post.

So I apparently started the music revolution on myspace.  Now all catalogs from many major/indie artist are all available to listen to for free on myspace. Unfortunatly my idea of actually giving away free MP3's has bit the dust.  A few of my distributors have sent me emails telling me to stop giving away my mp3s for free or else they will not continue represent me or my music. So I can put them up for free anymore. However, I can have "Giveaways".  So there will be free music days maybe twice a year officially. Loopholes, gotta love em  . If you are a kid without a credit card or money, shoot me an email and I think I can work something out for you anyway.

I also have made myself a feature playlist of some of the songs that I find fantastic.  Just click on the playlist on my music player and change it to Zepps Musical Influences. I got some good tunes on there!

A note to all my French and Aussie fans, I will try to get out there to play.  I have now gotten over a 100 requests to book me.  Unfortunatly with the american ecomony as it is now, it will take me TWICE as much money to get out there.  My american dollar is worth half of what your money is worth. To circumvent this I may start having online concerts. I dont want to turn into a youtube kid but im tired of turning everything down. This seems like a good comprimse.

Much Love to all,

- Nick

Delays and Rants,

So yet again my recording has gotten pushed back. My producers fighting for the life of his band and needs to record.....his own stuff.  I had chances to go and record before but truth be told the muse was absent. I went in and lasted maybe an hour a few times and I couldnt do it anymore. Made a rough demo that was total shit. The songs are good the direction is bad.  I cant record this CD the same way as the last. These songs mean too much. The way these new producers are taught is to focus on the hook and try to make each song single ready.  Hell I bought into it for a bit.

The truth is, the art of recording has become very scewed from what needs to happen.  The Album must come back.  These radio singles from all genres of music are cookie cutter meaningless drivel.  Even the beats/chords/progression lack any hint of originality.  A full album captures a range of emotions, a time in life, and mold of different influences that differ between songs.  Repetition has infected the creativity of the world. The revolution of music will not be wealthy.  As it is in the hands of all the independent artists that do not surcome to the dying industry.

My new album will be free.  This is no gimmick. No decide what to pay the band.  No PR frensy before it gets to Best Buy.  The music is yours and it always was.  Music is like bottled water to corporations.  How much can we get the public to pay for something that is free?

My new album will be recorded and financed by me.  It will be available for free digitally and on Vinyl. The Vinyl will be at cost to you, without profit.  Because records sound better.  Most of you haven't even heard a record before, its a shame. There is a difference in quality.

Im not sure if I will play live again after this year.  My band is gone. I took too long of a hitatus. They like playing bars, good for them. Im not sure I enjoy it at all. Im stuck here in Chicago and the people that really care about my music are so far away. Hopefully I gain a few rich fans that will pay for my travels.  I can always dream I guess. I may try to play again later this year, but it will probably be the last.

I will continue to promote my exisiting music and make it available for download. I will not track these and I encourage you pass it along.  Im not sure if anyone actually reads these "blogs", but it sure feels good to vent to yourself. Try it sometime.

Much Love to the people who care.

-Nick Zepp

I will be at Lollapalooza! Really, I bought the 3-day pass!

I will be sporting my Black Keys beard that I grew for the extremely tretchorus recording session I will have to endure that week. As for me playing live, im still on hold, although I may pop in some random places to get back into it all. In fact, if you sneak in a guitar Ill play you a song at lollapalooza, for sure.  Unless I get some permit fee for performing in public without a licence.... Ill have to look into that, haha.

Also, I am extremely happy for my producers band Treaty of Paris and their recent press coverage. I will be taking up all of Mike's free time in August.

Here's a short list of Bands I will be seeing at the show:

Rouge Wave, The Black Keys, The Racounteurs, Radiohead, Toadies,

John Butler Trio. The Whigs, Nine Inch Nails

Thanks for everyones support recently, it means alot!

- Nick

I will be going back into the studio to record in late April/early May. Hopefully I can get all the tracks laid in a few weeks, then mixing, then more mixing, then probably some re-recording, some more mixing, mastering, and then it will be out.

In the meantime, I have some new representation and you may hear some of my tracks on TV In the UK and Western Europe. I also may play some small shows around me (Chicago), open mics, just to test some stuff out and get the feel for it again.

Hi Everybody,

This has been a pretty good year for me.  I formed a live band called "The Sound" and we played several shows last year.  The best of which was at the Double Door in Chicago. I actually got to do a set and use the same mic stand as Mic Jagger of the Rolling Stones. (im not sure if its the same, but its in the same spot a least!).  I also got to open a solo show during a monsoon for the singer of the Smoking Popes (A local staple in Chicago).   I also played several other solo shows due to a missing drummer.  I figured seeing a band without a drummer is like seeing a three legged dog and calling it cute.  Its not really cute, but you act that way out of pity.  "The Sound" may play shows in 08' depending on a drummer.  As soon as I find one I will book another show at the Double Door.  I luckly have found a studio drummer in Chris Insideoso from Treaty of Paris.  So the recording next year will not be hindered. 

For the first time in my musical career I turned down more shows then I booked.  Of course most of these were in the Chicago area. I also get offered shows across Europe & Australia but as an unsigned artist it is moniteraly impossble to make those trips.  Lets hope in 08' my new album makes it possible for me to come over there!

I also just found out, that a band I booked back in the 90's called The Plain White T's just got nominated for a Grammy.  What can I say I have an eye for talent. Haha.

A big thank you to everyone who made this the best year for my music so far!

So I have decided to turn my myspace im for the next couple weeks.  If you want to drop me a line feel free.  If im around ill talk. 

 I will have access to a studio and a pen of professonal musicians in January.  I will produce, compose, mix & record with my compadre Mike Chorvat of Treaty of Paris.  Various musicians, instruments, & voices will be used in perfect harmony. These new songs far exceed anything I have written before.

Thanks for all the kind words in the past month.

- Nick

Its been a while since Ive written anything so I thought Id post something... 

Im currently writing and demoing some tracks.  Im figuring Im gonna pull a couple off the EP to re-record on the album as well.  Im writing some more electric songs, straying a bit from my acoustic base of my first recording. With great bands like Wolfmother, The Black Keys, and the White Stripes putting out such kick ass rock records recently, im starting to feel a change in the mainstream.  Even though I come off bubblegum poppy alot, I want to rock.  Why else would I make music?  haha.

Im not sure when and If im gonna play next, and I learned my lesson about booking shows too close together.  Although I got to meet a really great band called, Mellow Down Easy.  I played with them at Silvies Lounge and even though the turnout wasnt spectaclar we had a good time. I really have had no personal support with my music other than my immediate family.  My reality is that if it wasnt for the internet and sites like myspace im not sure If I would have ever pursued this route of music.

Nevertheless, I will write and produce the best album that I can make.  There are many people around the world that appricate what I do and it even inspires some.  My writing and future work is for them.  This is now bigger than me.  My words become your feelings and whatever personal meaning you can relate them to.  My heart is now on a sleve for everyone to see, there is no other way to live.

Until next time,

- Nick 

I will be taking off the live shows for a bit. Thanks for everyone who came out to Clearwater.  There will be some cool shows comin up in July/Aug. Hopefully I ll have a fully fuctioning band by then. 

I will be recording the first batch of songs for my upcoming Album.  I think its about time for Rock and Roll to take over the mainstream again....

Until Next time,

-Nick

Hello Everyone,

I will be playing double door with my band The Sound, even though its not on the ticket.  Show starts at 9pm and doors open at 8pm.  Were playing 2nd I do believe.  I have posted specially priced complimenty tickets on my website and my myspace.  Print out the ticket, bring it to the door. and get in for $3.

Two of the members are on my top list so make sure to show Christopher and Dudesmack some love!

I also am getting a slew of requests to play in different parts of the world.  I think im gonna try this eventful thing again.  Basically its some website that tracks requests to play live.  If you really want to see me Click the graphic which I will put up next week...

Have a great weekend everyone!

- Nick