Nick Leidl – Friend Zone

By starrymag | May 17, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) It’s honest, vulnerable, often humorous, country rock music.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) Bob Dylan, Jimmy Buffet, Adam Sandler, Luke Combs, Toby Keith

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your debut song “Friend Zone.”

A) After relocating across the country from New Jersey in early 2020, I was grinding it out in LA as a comedian.  I shot a comedy special produced by legendary Hollywood producer, Barry Katz, in February.  Things were really moving along.  And then COVID.  Everybody has their COVID pivot story.  Mine is that I was home and all comedy was cancelled, so I grabbed my guitar and started writing.  I had dabbled in the past, but something inspired me to write non-stop.  Ideas started flowing.  One of them was “Friend Zone.”  It came from sitting on the couch watching some lame rom-com on Netflix.  I got the idea and remembered the feeling of being friend-zoned and I went with it.  Originally, it was gonna be a funny song, but it wound up being a real reflection of the friend zone.  I linked up with Cooper Walker and we recorded it.  I released it February 12 and it went to #20 on the iTunes country chart and #62 on the all genre iTunes chart.  Just a wild ride.  I’m just really proud of myself for going for it and trying something new.   I feel like the universe rewarded me for that.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) “Friend Zone” is relatable.  Not necessarily because we always want it to be.  But everyone has been put (or has put someone) in the Friend Zone.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) My process always starts with lyrics, usually with the chorus.  I will get an idea in my head and sort of work backwards.  I build out a chorus and then challenge myself to sit feel what that chorus is really saying.  Usually once the chorus is built, I have a melody in my head and the verse flows from there.  I taught myself everything when it comes to music, so it’s likely my style is unorthodox, but it works for me.

 

Q) Cooper Walker lent a hand with production on the song, but how much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) I knew how I wanted the song to sound, so when we got into studio it was just a matter of finding that vibe.  We spent hours trying to get it right to a track we were both proud of.

 

Q) Will there be a full album or EP coming in the future?

A) I have an album’s worth of tracks recorded, but I will likely continue to drop singles regularly for the near future to keep myself relevant.  That’s more about marketing than anything else.  I saw a huge momentum in my fan base just from one single to the second, even though the second (“JEALOUS”) hasn’t dropped yet.  The fans believe in me and I want to give them new songs regularly to keep them excited.  For me, there was a challenge (and a risk) in taking a fan base that was accustomed to a comedian and getting them to take my music seriously.  That happened beyond my expectations and I want to ride that wave.

 

Q) You’re also a comedian. What do you miss most about being on stage?

A) I am still very much a regularly performing comedian and enjoy the challenge of wearing multiple hats in entertainment.  It’s not easy to go from one to the other, as multi-tasking is not my best skill.  Comedy is it’s own animal and has different rewards and hurdles.  I have taken so many lumps as a comedian that it has primed my stage presence for music.  I understand the importance of connecting with an audience and being in the moment to bring them along on your journey.

The best feeling for me as a comedian is that “out of body rush” you get when you have a live crowd completely in your hands.  Comedians understand it.  When you have the room so gassed up that you can literally say anything, and they are with you.  I won’t pretend that happens every night, but when it does it’s like a drug that you continue to chase with each performance.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) I’d love to write a song for Toby Keith, Dierks Bentley and Old Dominion, just to name a few.   I’m a big fan and I think I can write in their voice. I love that they use a lot of humor and wit in their songs.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

A) Here’s what’s wild.  I’m still relatively new to country music – as a performer and even as a listener.  I’ve been a DJ since high school, so I know music really well, but it wasn’t country.  But since I found the country world, I find new songs every freakin’ day that I absolutely obsess over.  Toby Keith is the guy that has me right now.  I got him on loop and just love his writing so damn much.  It’s simple, it’s fun and it’s so well written.   Others on loop are George Strait, Luke Combs, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw and Morgan Wallen.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) I have a real dedication to my supporters on social media.  I keep them updated on everything in my life and really try to be vulnerable with my content.  I go LIVE often and answer every message and comment they leave. Not everyone uses it that way, but I feel it’s worked for me.  Social media can be time consuming, but my connection to the fans remains my number one priority.  Without fans of what I’m doing, nothing else matters.  They got my debut song to #20 on the ITUNES country chart.  That was all them!

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) I’m a very mushy guy who has been thru a lot of ups and downs, so I tear sometimes thinking about how great the fans have been.  Every success I’ve had so far came from them.  Fans have reached out and opened doors for me, set up industry connections, endorsements, it’s been incredible.  I’m just so grateful to you guys.  Don’t ever leave me!  Sorry, my abandonment issues just kicked in. [smiles] Te he he.