Nick Jaina is a musician and author originally from Sacramento who has lived in Portland, New York, and New Orleans. He was an Oregon Book Award finalist in 2015 for his memoir Get It While You Can. His writing has appeared in Atlantic Monthly, McSweeney’s Quarterly and the journal Oregon Humanities. He co-founded and was music director for a ballet company in New York City called Satellite that involved dancers from Juilliard and the New York City Ballet and performed at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, garnering praise from The New York Times. He has composed scores for feature films and documentaries, including All Sorts, Cement Suitcase, and Elemental: Reimagine Wildfire.
His new album The Monster Mash is a collection of powerfully intimate songs, most featuring just electric guitar and vocals, matching the aesthetic of his live show.
Motel Void writes, “The Monster Mash is personal, filled with vivid imagery that many listeners will recognize in their own lives. At its core, the album celebrates not fitting neatly into categories. It’s a moving work for anyone who has ever felt slightly out of step with the mainstream – and found meaning in that difference.”