Story & Lesson Highlights with Nick Veine of Traverse City

Nick Veine shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Nick, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I usually hit the snooze a couple times before stumbling out of bed haha I go wash my face and make coffee. I try to get some guitar practice in, especially if there’s a specific goal I’m working on.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Nick Veine, a singer-songwriter/composer/teacher out of Traverse City, MI. I perform around the state at various concerts, breweries, wineries, and more, and I teach a variety of students from guitar to vocals and jazz theory.

One of the big things I’ve been interested in recently is diving deeper into the rich Delta Blues tradition of the American South. This has broadened my search and interests to other folk music traditions and repertoire within a similar time period. This whole area of music gives me a newfound appreciation for American Folk Music and the peoples who created it. I try to weave some of peoples’ stories throughout my set in order to bring the music to a wider audience.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I used to think I was naturally hard-working and intelligent without effort. Towards the end of high school, I saw how wrong I was and that only continued to progress after college and in professional life. It’s not to say I’m not doing well or enjoying my job– I love music more than anything else in the world! It’s just… it takes effort now to succeed. I can’t get by on being young and cute anymore. It’s opening up a new world where I can truly search for my own identity.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
“Don’t be afraid to be a kid.”

I was too hard on myself growing up and am now a raging perfectionist. It’s okay to slow down and enjoy the ride.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
There’s a quote by John Adams that I reference pretty frequently:

“I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain.” – John Adams (1780)

I think we’re at the point in our culture where we can venerate art for art’s sake and truly enjoy what humanity has to offer without worrying about profit margins. I just hope we can get that idea to reenter the public consciousness.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people remember me for my kindness, my curiosity, and my desire to help. I hope they remember the love I gave.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nickveine.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/highsodiumblues
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/NVeine
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NickVeineMusic
• Other: https://tiktok.com/@highsodiumblues

Image Credits
Rick Stringer, Scumbag Creations, Wild Subterranean, Shawn Roach