Known by many as vocalist/guitarist for rock-fusion band 311, Nick Hexum has recently released, My Shadow Pages, the debut record from his new solo-side project from The Nick Hexum Quintet. Now the group has announce that they will be supporting that new record with a January Tour!
The first solo-project / side-project album from 311 lead vocalist / guitarist Nick Hexum, My Shadow Pages, features 13 songs recorded & mixed in LA by Jim Scott (Wilco, Tom Petty, Sting, etc). Released October 1st the album allowed Hexum to develop an outlet for musical expressions that deviates from the heavier Alternative Rock riffs of 311. This exciting new side project, allows the musician to 
experiment in additional genres. Sounds from laid-back rock, as well as funk, jazz and pop, unified in a jam-like ensemble.
[Related: The Nick Hexum Quintet]
Discussing the project, Hexum told The Pier, “I wanted to have an outlet that had a different arrangement with saxophone and B3 and more keyboards and more Jazz tones. There’s no heavy anything on the entire album, it’s much more laid back, it’s more chill and funky and lighter than heavy, and you know, 311 does heavy great so I wanted to explore something different.”
When asked about if there was hopes of a solo tour, Hexum told The Pier, “I would like to, I’m just kind of taking it one step at a time when we first put it out and see if there’s time and interest.”
Testing the waters, on October 6th The Nick Hexum Quintet made their debut appearance, a sold out show at The Hotel Café in Los Angeles. Well, after two more sold out shows that month, it can be said there is considerable interest from fans to see Hexum’s new project.
[Related: Review: The Nick Hexum Quintet – My Shadow Pages]
What can fans expect to hear in The Nick Hexum Quintet set? According the fans lucky enough to see one of the debut performances, the set has a unified feel between members, with no overbearing jammer or any musician playing on a pedestal. The set jams, composed of a flow of tracks off the new record as well as other surprises. Hexum comments, “we have been having these Thursday night jam nights where we would get together a group of 5 or 6 dudes together and just play, we would actually roll a dice to pick the keys, tempos and the scales, then just play so it would be a totally unpredicted thing each time.” An activity that has been incorporated into the live performances, becoming a highlight of the set.
Starting January 16th at The Depot in Salt Lake City, UT, fans across the country will get their chance to see Hexum and his talented band perform live in an intimate setting. The band has scheduled 10 shows throughout the later half of January, running through the nation’s mid-section into the Northeast.
For more details on Nick Hexum, his music and the tour, check out the information below:
The Nick Hexum Quintet Tour Dates:
Jan 16 @ The Depot. Salt Lake City, UT
Jan 17 @ Fox Theatre Boulder, CO
Jan 18 @ Granada Theatre. Lawrence, KS
Jan 19 @ Double Door Chicago, IL
Jan 21 @ A and R Music Bar. Columbus, OH
Jan 22 @ The Club at Stage AE. Pittsburgh, PA
Jan 23 @ Jammin Java Music Club. Vienna, VA*
Jan 24 @ The Stone Pony. Asbury Park, NJ*
Jan 25 @ Gramercy Theatre. New York, NY*
Jan 26 @ The Sinclair. Cambridge, MA*
* w/ Franchot Tone
The Nick Hexum Quintet Links:
The Nick Hexum Quintet Website
The Nick Hexum Quintet Facebook
Nick Hexum Twitter
Article By: Aaron Solomon
Check Out: The Nick Hexum Quintet – “Dice Jam” 10/20/13
WATCH: The Nick Hexum Quintet – Super Natural (Lyric Video)