Seattle born hip hop artist Nick Weaver and Colombian jazz and house producer DFRA join forces for their debut collaborative album Beautiful Place, arriving October 2 via Silver Walker Recordings.
Born from a friendship formed in Buenos Aires, the eight-track project blends Weaver’s reflective lyricism with DFRA’s rich, live-instrumented production, performed entirely by his band. Against the restless backdrop of the city, Beautiful Place explores the search for peace, belonging and a sense of home amid the chaos.
Having first collaborated on DFRA’s house projects, the pair have expanded their chemistry into a full-length record that brings hip hop, jazz and house influences together. Singles “Beautiful Place” and “Credits” offer the first taste ahead of the album’s digital release, with a limited vinyl pressing also set to follow.
Nick Weaver sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
Nick: I grew up in the pacific northwest of United States, Seattle. My brothers were much older than me, and they were at the age (17, 20) where you are really into shows and all that. So I’d always get a glimpse into music from them. Beyond that, I was just always driven by sound itself. When I was really young, I had a Fischer Price toy microphone, and you could record and loop stuff in it. I used to sing into it, loop that and just listen to it. Or go outside and record sounds in the neighborhood.
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
Nick: The list of artists that influence me feels endless, so this is a tough question, ha. I would say lately the three that I listen to alot consistently and would love to work with are:
1) Emancipator – huge production influence, and I still find his music timeless. Love the influence of all kinds of sound from him. Would absolutely love to work with him at some point.
2) Kevin Morby – although on the rock/indie side of things, I think his lyrics were a big inspiration for me in the last couple years. I find his music feels so personal, yet so expansive. Would love to work with him somehow.
3) Loyle Conner – specifically for our new album Beautiful Place, I studied his “Not Waving, But Drowning” album like it was a textbook. I pulled a ton of inspiration from his writing style, his storytelling. Loyle is someone I absolutely want to collab with some day.
3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?
Nick: The main one is Beautiful Place, my collaborative album with DFRA, out October 2 on Silver Walker Recordings. There’s a limited run vinyl release after the digital drop. It’s eight tracks, all live instruments from DFRA’s band, produced and mixed by DFRA, with Sol Liebeskind featured on “Anti.”
DFRA and I met by chance in Buenos Aires and became friends. We started out working together on some of his house projects, and the album came out of that. The album specifically follows someone finding their place, and some peace, in a city as chaotic as Buenos Aires.
Two singles are already out, “Beautiful Place” and “Credits.” We have an album release show on October 8 in Buenos Aires, with more shows after that alongside similar bands.
4. How would you describe your sound?
Nick: Lyric driven, personal storytelling with as much live instrumentation as I can afford to fit in my music.
5. What’s your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
Nick: The proudest moment is always the same for me, when I see the music connect with others. Anytime a fan writes me and tells me that my art meant something to them, that it got them through their day, that it helped them in their life, those are always my proudest and most fulfilling moments of my career honestly.
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
Nick: I’ve been doing music for a long time, and I’ve also stepped back from music many times to focus on other stuff in my life. These days I have no idea how to play the promotion game, how to time releases, how to go viral, etc. All I know is you must grow to be your authentic self in your art, and you must absolutely take it one-fan-at-a-time. Any comments you get on social media – follow up with that person. Thank them, introduce yourself. For artists, your fans are your people. Make that relationship count for both of you. When you release music, go back to those exact same people and pass them your release. Keep them in the loop. It means alot to the fans to have that connection and know you care.
7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?
Nick: I’ve been living in Argentina and I’d have to shoutout these two Argentinian bands that I absolutely love and listen to constantly:
Vinocio – live band that does lots of soul and hip-hop influenced music. Have seen them twice live, always an insane show.
NAFTA – another live band that has multiple singers, and a bit of a mix of styles, R&B influenced for sure. They are insane live and I have had the pleasure to see them twice as well down here.
8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
Nick: Willie J Healey – 143
Lord Of The Isles – Subtle Thoughts
Baltazar Clusellas – Rioja
9. What do you like to do when you’re not making music?
Nick: I like to be outside, and be active. Hike, camp, swim, be in nature. That’s usually where I’m at my best. I’m also an avid sports follower and player. I watch a lot of NFL, football (soccer in USA), and basketball. And playoff baseball I love for the drama.
10. Name Three things you can’t live without when in the studio?
Nick: Natural daylight, incense, and caffeine (yerba mate or coffee).