You Feel Me?

  Nick Waterhouse’s warm recordings take me back to hearing my dad’s records in the basement as a child, where his vintage Sansui stereo made everything sound like the soundtrack to a Scorsese film. He blends influences from days past to make records that deal with modern problems in a classic way. His latest self-titled record takes everything he’s learned over the last three and perfects into a masterclass of precise minimalism.   Nick’s approach is admittedly utilitarian. He purposefully makes sure not to get too obsessive with guitar mastery, so that he can worry about less about how technical his licks are and more about making the instrument emote. He understands and acknowledges the limitations of his voice, but makes sure every grunt and growl an extended note brings takes the listener on the same emotional journey he’s on. He works with what’s accessible to bring the sounds in his head to life.   I talked to Nick about his upbringing in Orange County, and his coming-of-age-movie-worthy summer job in