Nick Spear
<p>Nick Spear at Crush Lounge in Whitefish.</p>
NAME: Nick Spear
AGE: 40
HOMETOWN: Whitefish (by way of San Diego)
EDUCATION: Master of Fine Arts, San Diego State University
INSTRUMENT(S): Guitar, bass, mandolin
CONTACT: www.nickspear.com
www.reverbnation.com/nickspear
soundcloud.com/nick-spear-1
Spear is a familiar face and voice in the Flathead Valley as the frontman for the New Wave Time Trippers. He teaches and directs with Flathead Valley Community College Theatre in Kalispell, and does a variety of voice acting locally.
He’s also a gifted solo singer and songwriter.
Spear draws inspiration for his songwriting from anything and everything in life.
“The songs kind of write themselves,” Spear said. “I don’t think about it consciously.”
Unrestrained by genre and passionate about finding the perfect sound, the results are a wide variety of subjects and music.
Much like his songs, his musical influences span far and wide. Spear said he is particularly inspired by Leonard Cohen, The Smiths and “early” U2.
The Singer/Songwriter Showdown is Spear’s first competition. He said he doesn’t care that much about the contest part of the event, but is mostly “just looking forward to hearing everyone else’s songs.”
Spear recently released a few new songs online, as well as a music video for “I Had A Nice Time.” He is working toward recording and releasing a solo EP or possibly full album sometime in 2015.
—SJ