Interview: 311's Nick Hexum discusses solo material and Troubadour show

While most know Nick Hexum as the vocalist for beloved alternative rock band 311, the artist launched his solo career with The Nick Hexum Quintet over a decade ago. This year, they began unveiling a slew of solo material in the form of a trilogy of EPs (Waxing Nostalgic, Full Memories, and Waning Time). Earlier this month, the artist began taking the new material on the road for a special headlining trek with backing band Water Tower. We had a chance to talk with Hexum about the new material and his forthcoming performance at The Troubadour in Los Angeles this week.

MP3s and NPCs: This is the second solo project you've done following the Nick Hexum Quintet. What made you decide to unveil solo music again?

Nick Hexum: It was the combination of a bunch of factors. First, in launching our music business/tech start up, called SKP, I realized that I can easily put out music as much as I’d like. That coincided with me getting really obsessed with some Americana leaning artists like Sierra Ferrell and the indie artist Faye Webster. At the same time, the book Saved by a Song, by Mary Gauthier, helped me see the healing and transformative power of writing really personal and vulnerable songs where I focus on some of the more painful and intimate goings on of my life.

MP3s and NPCs: How did you link with Water Tower for the EPs and live shows?

Hexum: Kenny Feinstein, their leader, and I became acquainted through the LA music scene, and the first step was him giving me some mandolin lessons followed by some banjo lessons, and that lead us to bus jamming together. Kenny has been a true blessing to my life. In addition to him writing and playing on the EP’s, having the talented guys from Water Tower back me up has been a joy.

MP3s and NPCs: What was it like working with family members on the new music?

Hexum: My big sister Angie is a really talented poet in her own right. So going down the path of full on nostalgia and writing about what our lives were like in 1978 when she was ten and I was eight really put me in the feels. It’s also a bit of lament for a pre-tech way of childhood that has faded away. Then to cap it off with having my oldest daughter, Echo, play piano on this song “1978” just made it a really fun family affair.

MP3s and NPCs: A vinyl release featuring all three EPs is titled Phases of Hope And Hollow. What's the story behind the title?

Hexum: The theme of this collection was looking at past, present and future, hence the EP titles, Waxing Nostalgic, Full Memories, and Waning Time really fit. My awesome wife Nikki helped me come up with the moon cycle concept. Then we put all the EP’s together plus two unreleased tracks on my first ever final LP titled Phases of Hope and Hollow.

MP3s and NPCs: 311 played The Troubadour in support of their debut album Music back in 1993. What's it like going back to that venue over 30 years later for a solo performance?

Hexum: Well, funny story, when we played there back in 1993 our fans got so rowdy that they said we were not welcome back! I tried to tell them that it was probably because the Vandals were on the bill and their punk rock crowd were probably the ones that went really crazy! So, it’s really nice to be invited back, and it’s gonna be a great hometown show there with lots of family and friends.

MP3s and NPCs: Aside from the solo releases, you teamed up with Coheed and Cambria for a new version of "Goodbye, Sunshine." How was it working with Claudio & Co.?

Hexum: That was a fun and easy collaboration. Claudio from the band was really enthusiastic and made it easy for me to contribute both vocals and production. We were put in touch by our bassist P-Nut who had been in touch with him. Coheed are such great writers and players so it was fun to help them delve into doing a reggae version of their song. The music video they made is super fun.

Tickets for Nick Hexum's solo performance at The Troubadour this Wednesday (September 24) are on sale to the general public right now here. Hexum’s previously released EPs are available on digital platforms right now.