Meet John Nilsen, Oregon’s Million Selling Indie Artist
A Portland Paramount Experience
by Ken Thompson - April 2021
John Nilsen was born in Seattle, Washington, in 1956. The Nilsen family moved to Portland, Oregon, in 1960. Nilsen began studying classical piano from his mother at age six and began playing guitar at age fourteen.
John attended Southern Oregon College in Ashland, graduating in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. In 1995 he was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award, the most prestigious award bestowed upon Southern Oregon University graduates.
After college, John began a successful music career and is well known as an accomplished pianist, guitarist, songwriter, lyricist, and vocalist. John recorded three outstanding solo piano records on Los Angeles Eagle Records from 1983 to 1985.
Nilsen founded the Magic Wing recording label in 1987. The brand has a catalog featuring eighteen Nilsen titles, each with international distribution. Magic Wing’s catalog has achieved over one million units sold, a rare accomplishment for an artist-owned independent label.
With a herculean worldwide touring schedule, John has built a substantial international audience and has two hundred and fifty of his compositions and musical arrangements receiving BMI royalties worldwide.
Nilsen splits his performances between touring internationally as a solo artist and performing with the John Nilsen Trio, which features Jeff Leonard on bass and Jason Moore on percussion. Also in the mix is his rock band SWIMFISH. John leads the way on vocals, guitar, piano, Dave Captein is on bass, Mike Snyder on drums and percussion, Bob Logue on guitar and vocals, and Don Woodward on guitar mandolin, harmonica, and vocals.
Foreign Films, the most recent Nilsen recording, was released to high acclaim in 2019. The tracks emphasize Nilsen’s superb piano compositions with orchestral backing. Several piano solos sit alongside others, with a string quartet providing support. All eighteen tracks take the listener on a sonic journey that feels like listening to a beautiful motion picture soundtrack.
Along the way, John has given back to his community by teaching songwriting residencies and speaking to students in schools throughout the country, and locally including every school in the West Linn/Wilsonville School District over the past twenty-five years.
What’s next? Sessions for the new John Nilsen album will begin in April 2021, and a return to a full performance schedule once Covid is over and venues open their doors again.
1. Name three of the best concerts you saw at the Paramount.
Steely Dan (Pretzel Logic Tour), Joe Walsh (The Smoker You Drink The Player You Get Tour), Grateful Dead in June 1976.
2. About those shows, what was most meaningful to you?
There were so many parts of those evenings that made a big impression on me. Honestly, each time I walked into the Paramount, I was inspired because of the excitement of seeing and hearing another hero of mine and being in that building. The building was and still is extraordinary. It was special to be in the auditorium; it’s far greater than just a room. To see the early Steely Dan lineup when they were a band was nice. The 1976 Dead show is a well-noted show in their extended list of highly-rated live performances. I’ve always been a big fan of Joe Walsh. Joe’s show was both tight and loose. Few guitarists have his sound, and thankfully I learned that in 8th grade from Greg Georgeson.
3. What’s your favorite story about the Paramount?
I remember seeing America on their Homecoming Tour on January 19, 1973. It was the opening or second night of the tour. I believe Homecoming (their 2nd album) was their best. Solid three part harmony folk/rock songs with the great rhythm section of Hal Blaine/drums and Joe Osborn/bass. Anyway, it was Dewey Bunnell’s birthday, and after the show, somebody in the wings presented him with a birthday cake on stage. After the encore, as Dewey was walking off stage, somebody in the front row yelled, “Dewey, smoke dope!” Dewey immediately walked downstage toward us (we were in the 2nd row) and asked, “Do you have any?” A guy handed him a lit reef, and the rest is history. I’ve never forgotten that.
4. Please share a couple of memories of the first concert you attended (anywhere)?
My first concert was The Oregon Symphony in Portland. My folks were season ticket holders for decades and took me on occasion. My siblings and I grew up with an abundance of classical music in our home. My mom was a private piano teacher for 67 years. She knew music well and was an exceptional OMTA (Or. Music Teacher’s Assoc.) piano teacher. I grew up with pianos all over the house. I remember thinking it was so loose and laid back how all the symphony members just casually walked out on stage to tune up before the first piece. No big entrance to the show. Now I get it. That’s just the way it is when you have that many players tuning.
5. What are three favorite Portland concerts, NOT at the Paramount?
I’ve seen jazz great Pat Metheny many times and have been fortunate to attend several Pat Metheny Group shows. What an artist, what a band. One time I saw Pat Metheny Group at Keller Auditorium and that show stands out. I also enjoyed the Rolling Stones show at the Rose Garden, the mid-90s. Johnny Lang opened. That’s the only time I’ve seen the Stones, and it was worth the wait. Don Woodward, a member of my rock band, SWIMFISH, turned me on to a band named Wilco. I’ve seen Wilco a few times, but their shows at Edgefield were superb on a warm summer evening.
6. You’ve been fortunate to grace the stage as a performer at the Paramount. How did it feel in the spotlight on the boards where you saw so many inspirational shows?
Yes, I have been lucky to perform many times on the same stage as the Paramount. I was very aware of the fact that I was performing on the same stage where I’d heard dozens of my heroes. It was both a confidence booster and intimidating the first few times. Even after playing there 20 times, I reminisce about all the shows I heard there growing up. That’s the way I am.
When I first went to see a Mets game in NYC in 1986, I immediately said while pointing out toward 2nd base, “That’s where the Beatles played.” I still can’t shake that, but why would you want to? Play ball.
7. In 1986, you founded your record label, Magic Wing. What are some keys to its success, and how do you feel about selling over a million records?
After doing three LPs with Eagle Records in LA and Nashville, I started my label, Magic Wing. I paid close attention to the business side of things in my early career, and starting my recording label was the smartest business move I’ve made. The keys to success with my label have been good timing, discipline as a business person and composer/touring artist, radio play, and working with great players. I’ve also had a major bonus having Bob Stark as my engineer/co-producer on 16 of my 20 releases and Don Woodward as my label artist. As for selling over a million records: yes, that has been nice, with the result being opportunities to perform in four continents and to have my songs heard. I give thanks daily for life’s blessings.
8. Who are some outstanding figures in the Portland Music Industry?
There are so many talented music industry people in Portland. I’ve had the pleasure of playing and recording with many great Portland musicians, and I owe them all credit. Certainly a nod to John Nilsen TRIO bandmates Jason Moore and Jeff Leonard, and John Nilsen & SWIMFISH bandmates Mike Snyder, Dave Captein, Don Woodward and Bob Logue. Also, a mention to each of the outstanding Ten Grands piano artists I’ve worked with over the past two decades. Phil Baker, Marv and Rindy Ross, Terry Currier are a few other outstanding figures in the Portland music industry and people I’ve worked with. They and many others fit into that category.
9. You must be looking forward to returning to stages with live audiences. What are some of your favorite local hotspots?
I was on tour in Vegas when I stopped my tour on March 14, 2020. I flew home that evening and didn’t do a gig for one hundred days. That was the first time I hadn’t played a gig in one hundred days in over forty years. I do look forward to getting back to performing full-time. Locally I enjoy playing the Lake Theater, Edgefield, and some of the other McMenamins, rooms,and some wineries.
10. What’s next? What are your plans for future projects?
I will start recording #21 in late April. It will be a combination of my piano and guitar compositions and it’ll have a theme to it that I’m still developing. I’ve been composing new material for it all through Covid days. I had to cancel my 2020 Europe tour because of the pandemic. I look forward to rescheduling the Foreign Films Tour and getting back to a regular tour schedule.
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11. What is the most important thing you’ve learned in the last year?
Patience.
12. What’s the most inspiring thing happening in music right now?
The most inspiring thing in music now is that musicians are ready to explode with all the creative ideas they’ve harbored and developed alone during the past year. Once we get live performances back full time, I believe we’ll see and hear new and inspired music.
13. Who is the most intelligent person you’ve met, the most famous person you’ve met, and what did you like most about them?
I’ve been lucky to have been around smart people. Both my Dad and older brother are Yale graduates. I learned only twenty years ago was that my Dad was also accepted to Harvard. He said he never bothered to tell me because he chose to study at Yale, and it didn’t matter. What impresses me about both of them is that they listen carefully first, speak second. I met Graham Nash (CSN , CSNY). He’s the one guy I’ve met that filled stadiums with his band. He is a true gentleman and came across like one when we spoke.
14. What are the most important influences that define you?
As a person, I believe music, family, friends and outdoor recreation have been great sources of fuel for inspiration and have set me up to handle the craziness that the music industry delivers. I owe a lot to my parents. They made sure I believed in myself. As an artist, I’ve always made sure I put my art first. That has allowed me to develop my career as an original music artist, which is everything to me. I’ve been disciplined since I was young, and I owe that to my parents, friends, and dear wife, who has also been a loving and positive influence in my life.
Those things have defined me.
15. If you were to give an elevator speech about how to live a life and make a contribution, what would you say?
I would say listen to others before speaking, be yourself, do your best and contribute with the gifts you’ve been given. We’ve all got them.
16. Please name three books you think everyone should read.
The Sun Also Rises (Ernest Hemingway), The Good Rain (Timothy Egan), and Shakey: Neil Young’s Biography (Jimmy McDonough).
17. Name three songs you’d include on the soundtrack to your life.
Dream of the Return / Pat Metheny Group, If I Fell / Beatles, Campaigner / Neil Young
18. If you could take your ultimate trek or journey, where would you go?
I would go around the world over several weeks with stops on all continents.
19. Tell us something most people don’t know about you.
I enjoy spending time in my yard which includes creating and gardening within it. It also provides a unique place for playing music.
20. What do you worry about the most?
The declining health of my parents.
21. What do you want that you don’t have?
A Gibson acoustic guitar.
22. What are some things you like best about Portland?
Family, friends, music scene, weather, seafood restaurants, great local beer/wine, the ocean and rivers.
23. If you were advising a new visitor to Portland on a few cool insider things to do, what would you tell them?
I’d tell them about good places for hiking, dining and music listening. Notably, I’d include hikes in the Columbia Gorge. Dog Mountain and Hamilton Mountain. Dining at Jake’s and Nicoletta’s Table is always great if you enjoy fresh seafood and live music at Edgefield, and The Lake Theater are among my favorites.
24. Would you like to nominate anyone to do a PPE interview?
Mike Snyder
25. What would you like the world to know about you?
That I’m somebody who believes in democracy, helping the less fortunate, reducing carbon emissions, and recycling.
