ISSUE #29 MMUSICMAG.COM INDIE SCENE c ristina Arrigoni wiLLie niLe Shaking off past setbacks, the durable rocker keeps writing his own story

“The music sTill feels good,” the core of this album: ‘life on Bleecker After releasing his eponymous debut says Willie Nile. “it matters to me. i get street,’ ‘American Ride,’ and ‘The crossing.’ for in 1980, Nile and his redemption from it. And i still feel the fire They established a location. i love the band were invited by to and the edge and the passion.” melodies and the music, and the words had open for the Who. But after the release of it’s been a long and often bumpy meaning to me.” his sophomore set, Golden Down, in 1981, road for the veteran singer-songwriter, but Nile extends credit to the record’s Nile became entangled in protracted legal passion has driven Willie Nile’s music since producer, grammy-winning stewart lerman problems. seven years later, he was inked his self-titled debut album was released in (, loudon Wainwright iii, to , and he recorded his 1980. fast-forward seven studio albums laurie Anderson). “stewart has a great third studio album, Places I Have Never later, and Nile knows a thing or two sense of when it’s right,” says Nile. “That’s Been. But its release was delayed. By the about making records. “i have a pretty my original guide vocal and acoustic time it appeared in 1991, his career had good idea of what’s going to make for a guitar on there. The bass and drums are come to a standstill. nice collection, what’s interesting, what’s live. i didn’t overdub my vocals. We cut it “People always ask me, ‘don’t you feel poignant, what’s fun,” he says. “As some with as much of a true performance feel bitter because you’re not as famous as so rockers get older, they’re just not as good. as we could get.” and so?’” says Nile. “sure, i’d love to be But i think i’m putting out my best stuff.” it’s apparent Nile has remained true stinking rich, but i was never in it for the Nile is referring to a career comeback to his muse. “After all these years, i’m still money. Was it disappointing? Absolutely. i that spawned his last four albums—1999’s on the same journey. it’s been circuitous to had a family to support and i didn’t know Beautiful Wreck of the World, 2006’s say the least, but ever since my first record, what i was going to do.” Streets of New York, 2009’s House i’ve been writing my own story. it’s my way Today Nile is focused on his music. of a Thousand Guitars, and 2010’s of expressing myself.” “i just want to make masterpiece after The Innocent Ones. his new release, Born Robert Anthony Noonan, the masterpiece,” he says. “People say, ‘Your American Ride, continues the series of 65-year-old musician majored in philosophy road has been so tough.’ But whose road seemingly autobiographical offerings, at the university of Buffalo before relocating isn’t tough? You learn from it. like levon relaying his perspective on past, present and to in the early ’70s. helm said, ‘You pick yourself up and you future and touting his New York city environs. he became a fixture at cBgB and other head back into the city.’ There’s no chip on “i live on Bleecker street,” says Nile. manhattan haunts that spawned the city’s my shoulder. Now it’s just a case of how “i know New York like the back of my hand. seminal punk scene. in no time he was long i can stay healthy and continue to i’m writing about the things around me, winning heady comparisons to Bob dylan work and keep this dream going.” like love and politics. A few songs are at and . –Lee Zimmerman

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