LUNDEN'S CALLING
Nikki Lunden's music career began 26 years ago when, at the age of 3, she was given an organ for Christmas. Even then, Lunden was able to pick out the theme from "M*A*S*H."
From there, there was no going back.
"I think that music chose me," Lunden reflected. "Nothing comes close to the physical or emotional feelings I get while performing. It's the skin I'm most comfortable in."
Since shortly after graduating from high school, Lunden has become a staple in the Iowa City music community, with her bands Heinous Canis and The Trollies and through numerous solo shows and recordings. On Saturday night, she'll celebrate the release of her fourth solo album, Depends On The Weather, with a co-release party alongside fellow IC musician Kate Kane at the Mill, 120 E. Burlington St.
"I've been waiting for this so long, once Saturday night is over, I can sleep again," Lunden said with a laugh.
Lunden, whose dreadlocks are constantly threatening to escape from her ponytail, has a ready grin and a slightly nervous disposition. Later, she says, that it's nothing personal, but giving interviews just isn't where she's comfortable.
"I feel like such a dork when I talk," she said. For the other side of Lunden, one needs to encounter her on a "gig day."
"I transform," she said. "It's like Peter Parker turning into Spider-Man. Suddenly, he has all these abilities and powers he's never been capable of before."
Indeed, for Lunden, much of her musicality manifests itself in unconscious ways. Songwriting, she said, "is like getting hit by a car," with melodies often appearing nearly complete in her mind.
"I was counting paint cans at my old job, and the whole song was there in 10 minutes," she said, adding a little sheepishly, "I faked a headache to go home and write it."
Self-taught on guitar since age 9, Lunden counts other acoustic-wielding females among her influences, most notably Jewel and the earlier albums of Sheryl Crow. With Depends On The Weather, she's branched out into more fully rounded sounds, thanks to accompaniment from area musicians.
"You had to create a stereo to listen to it," Lunden said excitedly. The help with playing and recording the album is something she said is representative of the tightly knit network of Iowa City local musicians.
"This town is just cram-packed with talented people," she said, citing both the UI and public-school systems as beneficial. While speaking, she sports a Lipstick Homicide shirt, and she seemed secure in saying, "If I needed anything, I know everyone would jump in and help out."
Depends On The Weather marks what Lunden calls her most personal album to date, with songs ranging as far back as three years ago. Now, she said, she's ready to take the stage solo once more.
"At this point, I'm not using the album for radio play or anything like that," she said. "It's very straightforward - this is me, this is what I do, this is my sound. It's raw. It's Nikki."
E-mail DI reporter Anna Wiegenstein at:
anna-wiegenstein@uiowa.edu
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I have been a performing singer/songwriter in the Iowa City area since early spring of 2000. Currently am jamming with a couple of great guys, Matt Wright on keys/vocals and Puma on drums as the Nikki Lunden Trio and as always, the occasional Trollies reunion!! You can be sure to catch a solo act here and there, and sometimes a duo show with me and Matt. All are great fun!!
UPDATES!! My 30th Birthday Bash at The Mill!!! -- Friday June 13th, yes, I will be 30, and probably still single haha!! The Trollies and The Nikki Lunden Trio will be jammin, and my favorite Iowa City band SHAMETRAIN!!! So mark your calendars, this will truly be an unforgettable night!!!
DEPENDS ON THE WEATHER Over the last several months me and my crew of highly talented and devoted musicians, friends, and peers have been working on my new album "depends on the weather" which I am proud to announce ITS DONE! This is my 4th solo release, and my favorite by far!! The album has 13 tracks, some of which you can hear right here on myspace. Please feel free to drop me a comment about what you think, or if you have a favorite, or just to say hello! Don't be shy! Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming shows, as I've been booking like crazy lately! Some of the same old favorite jam spots, and some new venues I'll be venturing into..... come rock out with me!
Since I've began my career as a musician, I have co-founded 2 bands and released 7 recordings, 4 of which were solo projects. Co-founding The Trollies with violinist Natalie "Sweet Mango" Brown in late 2000, introduced us to the Iowa City independent music scene. Seeking bandmates, we recruited drummer Seth Koenig (now known as the "Puma"), and Rory "Louis" Hartkmeyer on bass. We released 1 album (fountain pennies) with Rory, then Adam "Dickens" Grosso (now with Iowa City superband Euforquestra) joined the band on bass and we recorded 1 more album (roundtrip weekend) as The Trollies which was never officially released due to getting ripped of by some fake asshole replication place in New Hampshire. The group dis-banded in 2002, but we all remain friends and enjoy sneaking in a few shows every year! From '04 to '06, I fronted Iowa City rock band Heinous Canis, co-founded with bassist Byron Stevens (currently bassist for The Gglitch), collecting Michael Fett (jammin with Mint Wad Willy and Lunatix on Pogostix) on lead guitar and Puma on the kit (The Funatics, Lunatics on Pogostix, and others). We realeased one 5 song EP called "drag it with your teeth" in July of '05, and toured the area steadily for about 2 years. It was a great experience and we all had a lot of fun together.
My favorite part of playing music is creating it - I've never felt anything else like it, and it feels good to have it pumping through my veins. I'm always open for comments and suggestions, please feel free to drop me a line. It's good to know what people are thinking. Thanks for checking me out, and enjoy the tunes!! Nikki
