Nick Harley
Indie folk rock singer songwriter based in Nashville, TN.
Bio
Nick Harley is a Nashville-based folk rock artist. For many years, he was a hired gun for songstresses S.G. Goodman and Lilly Hiatt, but he has now embarked on his own musical path, carving out a sound inspired by his former bandmates and his roots in folk, bluegrass, and indie rock.
Originally from the Rust Belt of Indiana, Nick finds inspiration in the decomposition of a time gone by—seeing beauty in the wreckage and the not-so-careful. His music feels both familiar and distinctly his own, blending traditional folk elements with the raw edge of late garage rock revival. Acoustic guitars, unruly fuzz and a strong focus on melody and lyrics.
Painted Blue
An unreleased indie folk album made in the Fall of 2025 that is currently seeking to join a label’s discography.
Written, produced, mixed and recorded on a Tascam 388 Tape Machine by Nick Harley. This alt folk album weaves itself through the storytelling of the hardships and joy of everyday life, blending thoughtful lyrics and a focus on roots guitar picking. Think Doc Watson meets Bright Eyes ?
Reviews
“The opening notes of Nick Harley’s Leave No Trace places the listener in an alternate weird and wobbly Appalachia. A folksiness remains throughout the tape, though the trail connects the dots between the country-rock of Crazy Horse, understated choruses a la Big Star, and just plain downer-folk by its terminus . . .”"
—Aquarium Drunkard review of Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace is an album comprised of tape demos. Released by Athens, GA based label Primordial Void in 2024.
“He doesn't make straight-up country, taking a side road through lackadaisical, headsy US indie rock (think Silver Jews or Lambchop) and sipping up some folk influence at the same time. But Harley's songs are memorable; "unconcerned with perfection", he's managed to chance on an instinctual groove that's far more interesting than overproduced sparkle.”
—Boomkat review of Leave No Trace