• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • NEWS+OPINIONS
    • NEWS TO US
    • COLUMNS
      • APPARENT HORIZON
      • DEAR READER
      • Close
    • LONGFORM FEATURES
    • OPINIONS
    • EDITORIAL
    • Close
  • ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
    • FILM
    • MUSIC
    • COMEDY
    • PERFORMING ARTS
    • VISUAL ARTS
    • Close
  • DINING+DRINKING
    • EATS
    • SIPS
    • BOSTON BETTER BEER BUREAU
    • Close
  • LIFESTYLE
    • CANNABIS
      • TALKING JOINTS MEMO
      • Close
    • WELLNESS
    • GTFO
    • Close
  • STUFF TO DO
  • TICKETS
  • ABOUT US
    • ABOUT
    • MASTHEAD
    • ADVERTISE
    • Close
  • BECOME A MEMBER

Dig Bos

The Dig - Greater Boston's Alternative News Source

How Strangers Illustrated and Inspired Nick Shea’s New EP

Written by DIG STAFF Posted December 1, 2022 Filed Under: Interviews, MUSIC

“We basically made drawings of each other and exchanged them. It was great to create a unique experience.”


Nick Shea doesn’t just make hip-hop music. He incorporates all aspects of his vast artistic repertoire into every project, including on his new EP You Get The Picture that comes out this Friday.

As he explains it, the visuals for the EP will “feature 80 drawings of myself, made by people when I asked them to draw me” on Boston Common.

The stylings came from a role reversal; on most days with warm weather, Shea can be found on the Common drawing people for a dollar. He says, “Some of my music reflects my experience with these drawings, some of my music reflects on my hardships I’ve faced in my past, and much of my music represents where I will be going in my future.”

We asked him about the portraits and more … 

You seem to always have a trick or two up your sleeve with new releases, or at least something interesting going on. How do you describe your approach to art and music for those who may not be familiar with you?

I am always trying to get better as a musician and excite myself when creating. This year I didn’t hold on to songs for too long. When I made them, I was eager to put them out. It made me feel like the music reflected me in the present moment. I have been a little more personal with my songwriting. I wrote a song about my own family estrangement, and that was difficult to release. But I am happy I did because already it has resonated with people, and makes me feel more in control of my narrative. I try to document my life, possibly try to help someone, and I rap to be the best rapper. 

Tell us about this idea of people drawing pics of you. Where did it come from?

In the summer of 2021, I started going back outside with a sign that says “$1 Drawing of YOU” to meet new people, share my art, tell people about my music, and see what they have going on. I met so many awesome people from around the world each day, many I still keep in touch with. This year, May 18, 2022, marked one full year of going out in the Commons to draw people, so I wanted to do something different. I wanted to see what would happen if I made the sign say “$1 Drawing of ME” instead.

What’s the reaction when you ask people to draw you? Any particularly funny stories that came from this?

Many of the people said they don’t draw, or have never drawn in their life, so this was going to be a new experience for them. I loved that. We basically made drawings of each other and exchanged them. It was great to create a unique experience. I really appreciated being able to take home drawings of myself because I am usually the sole drawer. Some people brought me gifts to congratulate me on one full year in the park. I felt like I had done something truly special. 

And how did you go about incorporating these into your music?

A lot of times, the conversations I have with people will bring up interesting topics. Hot takes, jokes, emotional stories. I do try to keep the conversations between me and who I am drawing, though sometimes the themes or ideas of what we talk about make their way into my songs. On this new EP, a line from the track “Toothache” says “I get an idea and you tattoo it” and that’s because someone tattooed one of my ideas on their body after getting a drawing from me in the park. I thought that was cool. My most streamed song this year, “This Life Is True,” is basically a thank you to all of the support people have given me and how appreciative I am of being able to have these experiences. 

What’s up with the new EP?

You Get The Picture is five songs all produced by myself. “Oldies 103.3” is an ode to the classic Boston radio station I grew up listening to. “Drip Drop” is a more melancholic song about walking in the rain. “No Drama Please” is about spending less time on my cell phone. It’s a small collection of songs I’m happy with, and the physical CD has three bonus tracks. The visualizer on YouTube has all 80 of the drawings people made of me in a slideshow over the music. 

Any shows coming up? Where might we see you in the wild? Are you still out on the Common as it gets cold?

As the weather is getting colder, I have been in the Commons a little less. But people can still expect to see me. I am planning to perform shows in the new year, as well as go on a “$1 Drawing of YOU” tour. So come out and see me.


nickshea.bandcamp.com


 

DIG STAFF
+ posts

Dig Staff means this article was a collaborative effort. Teamwork, as we like to call it.

  • DIG STAFF
    https://digboston.com/author/dig-staff/
    Dig This: Thousands Of Furries Flocking To Anthro New England 
  • DIG STAFF
    https://digboston.com/author/dig-staff/
    Dig This: MFA & Citizens To Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy
  • DIG STAFF
    https://digboston.com/author/dig-staff/
    Dig This: New Drag Brunch Series At Laugh Boston
  • DIG STAFF
    https://digboston.com/author/dig-staff/
    Inbox: New Crab Shack Brings Asian-Cajun Fusion To Roslindale

Filed Under: Interviews, MUSIC Tagged With: Art, Boston Common, Interviews, Music

WHAT’S NEW

Guest Opinion: The Black Man, Police Brutality, And Tyre Nichols In 2023

Guest Opinion: The Black Man, Police Brutality, And Tyre Nichols In 2023

State Wire: Mass Lawmakers Press For Federal Childcare Relief Legislation

State Wire: Mass Lawmakers Press For Federal Childcare Relief Legislation

So Much For Contracts: State Report Blasts MBTA Contractor

So Much For Contracts: State Report Blasts MBTA Contractor

State Wire: Bill To Expand Tax Credits Draws On Children's Health Data

State Wire: Bill To Expand Tax Credits Draws On Children’s Health Data

State Wire: Mass Legislation Aims To Improve Language Access For All

State Wire: Mass Legislation Aims To Improve Language Access For All

State Wire: Mass Launches Free Legal Advice Hotline Regarding Abortion Care

State Wire: Mass Launches Free Legal Advice Hotline Regarding Abortion Care

Primary Sidebar

LOCAL EVENTS

AAN Wire


Most Popular

  • A New Beginning For Formerly Incarcerated Women
  • Think Massachusetts Cannabis Prices Are Low Now? Just Wait Six Months!
  • So Much For Contracts: State Report Blasts MBTA Contractor
  • Dig This: Thousands Of Furries Flocking To Anthro New England 
  • Does Massachusetts Underestimate Its Greenhouse Gas Emissions?

Footer

Social Buttons

DigBoston facebook DigBoston Twitter DigBoston Instagram

Masthead

About

Advertise

Customer Service

About Us

DigBoston is a one-stop nexus for everything worth doing or knowing in the Boston area. It's an alt-weekly, it's a website, it's an email blast, it's a twitter account, it's that cool party that you were at last night ... hey, you're reading it, so it's gotta be good. For advertising inquiries: sales@digboston.com To reach editorial (and for inquiries about internship opportunities): editorial@digboston.com