The Stylish Sounds Of Nick Waterhouse

Eclectic American soul man picks out some key influences...

For Nick Waterhouse it's about the whole ensemble, not one element.

Sure, you might have a fantastic drum part, but if the vocal isn't there… forget it. Likewise, if the lyric touches your heart while the rhythm doesn't quite click with your waist… forget it.

It's this fastidious nature that makes him so in demand – vintage soul with a refreshingly modern outlook, Nick Waterhouse has an eye for detail only matched by his thirst for the spirit of another, rather more stylish, era.

A dapper figure both onstage and off, Clash invited Nick to pick out a few style inspirations, each matched to a track that conjures up images of peerless cool.

– – –

Scott Fraser Simpson

Scott is a sharp young fellow out of London doing clothing design I very much admire. He keeps things tight and loose at the same time and has a phenomenal sense of composition in his personal style.

Hits a lot of grace notes for me, and the details are both big and small. Just like this tune, which conversely is the name of his London DJ night he runs…

Check out Scott's brand of retrospective modernism online HERE.

– – –

Matthew Correia

Matt is the drummer for Allah-Las and an inspiration going on a decade for me. His never-ending Pacific / Mediterranean west coast bohemia had always endeared him to me, and while we may draw from slightly different sources, it's all the same spirit…

'Gabor's Gypsy' groove is the perfect match for the man in huaraches and wide necked knits, like a cruise up and down the coast.

– – –

Leiber & Stoller

Jerry Leiber once traded his car for a pair of doe skin loafers somewhere on Fairfax boulevard in his younger years. He also helped compose some of my favourite ten seconds of music – the tenor solo, conga, piano section of 'Three Cool Cats'.

Knits and loafers, like the teenage kings of an parallel world that Jimmy Smith, Grant Green, and Hank Mobley were hanging' in Francis Wolff's photos.

– – –

The Teenagers of Watts (Life Magazine, 1966 – LINK)

Tough, urbane, democratic… I love how ragged but sharp all of these teenagers are. Just like Chuck and the ensemble.

– – –

Al Jackson

The man is always so elegant, but so casual. Rolled up sweaters, great slacks. An amazing colour palette and he drums on the very tune I have assigned here. Picture a cashmere sweater giving you such grooves.

– – –

Nick Waterhouse' new album 'Never Twice' is out now. Catch Nick at the following shows:

February
21 London Jazz Cafe
22 Manchester Deaf Institute
23 Leeds Belgrave Music Hall

Buy Clash Magazine

-
Join the Clash mailing list for up to the minute music, fashion and film news.