Sun Down
from the album Sun Down
2008
iTunes

Though a disciple of a path well beaten — organic singer/songwriter wielding riffing guitars and tapping ivories — SoCal native Nik Frietas carves a niche all his own with lyrically meditative, wistful, and Americana-tinged tunes paying tribute to yet never aping touchstones likes Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, and even Ben Kweller.

And with his third record Sun Down, out May 6 via Team Love, the troubadour dives into the frequented genre’s fabric and offers an album that simultaneously evokes sentiments of nostalgia and innovation, especially with the down-home drums and choogling six-string of the album’s title track, and the 12-bar blues of “Sophie.”

Originally a photographer for skateboarding magazine Thrasher, Frietas’ interest in music blossomed when a co-worker sold him an antique piano once used by a street musician. The piano remains in Freitas’ possession and is featured on Sun Down.

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Founded in Madison, WI in 2005, Jonk Music is a daily source for new music.