Joining us in the studio for this Indie Rock Hit Parade session is an artist whose moody, rhythmic music has been charming fans for a decade. Originally hailing from Washington, DC, Nick Hakim has been based in Brooklyn since breaking through with his 2017 debut Green Twins. That same year, Hakim and his band made their debut on our Free at Noon stage, showcasing his beat-forward sound and “sensual funkiness.” In the following years, Hakim released his another solo album, 2020’s Will This Make Me Good, and a 2021 collaboration with Jazz Passengers saxophonist Roy Nathanson. Late last year, Hakim released his third LP, COMETA. The songs hone Hakim’s late-night sound to a smooth edge, and the album features contributions from IRHP favorites Helado Negro and Alex G. Before a sold-out show at World Cafe Live, Hakim and his band stopped by our studio to run through a trio of COMETA highlights.
Between the guitar loops that form the foundation of “Vertigo” and the meditative mantra of “Happen,” Hakim and his bandmates immediately fall into a weightless groove. The set culminates with COMETA‘s centerpiece, the propulsive single “Feeling Myself,” which turns into a bouncing back-and-forth in this performance.
Watch Nick Hakim’s Indie Rock Hit Parade session below via NPR Live Sessions. You can also stream the audio and check out Galea McGregor’s photos from the studio. This summer, Nick heads out for a few dates with Big Thief. Have a look over the schedule and plan a trip to catch him in person.
