IT'S ABOUT TIME. Nick Foytik recently released his newest album, About Time. (Submitted photos)

Nick Foytik, originally from Wisconsin’s Northwoods, is celebrating the release of his newest solo album, About Time. With sounds of bluegrass and rock ’n’ roll, Foytik’s deep voice emanates a classic, American style. Each song reminisces on melancholic chords with a bit of a lively beat, adding to the guitar riffs highlighted throughout.

In this album, Foytik displays musical talents that took root early in life. “My grandpa played music for me when I was very young. It was a very intimate, like sitting face-to-face kind of music,” he recalled. “That kind of gave me my ear.” Inspired by rustic tones of soul, and his grandfather’s concertina, his style creates a naturally powerful listening experience no matter the genre.

“I named it About Time as more or less a pun, because it took me a while to get this album out,” he said. “It’s about people in time, the times, and the way things are … the human condition.”

Featuring friends Levi Felling on drums and Ethan Schmidt on bass for a few tracks, the lyrical ambivalence emphasizes the intriguing instrumental elements at play. “Musically, I wanted it to be a little bit interactive and a little bit more upbeat, even though the lyrics just go around,” Foytik said.

Originally intended to be recorded and released in 2020, COVID-19’s restrictions on the process pushed Foytik to move forward with more organic – and active – intentions. “It took a good four to five months of playing instruments and putting microphones up to it; I did this four different ways (and had to decide) which one was my favorite,” he laughed. “The idea was to capture what I was hearing in the room when I was playing to get the most organic sound possible.”

With new skills under his belt, the effort paid off. “I didn’t want to be restrained too much: I didn’t want to have a deadline or try to box in what I was doing,” he said.

With the release of the album this past February, Foytik continues to perform live throughout the Midwest and Chippewa Valley at bars and wine venues – calling himself a “guitar for hire.” The album pushes genre boundaries and creates feel-good, reflective energy when listening that everyone can enjoy and relate to. 

Learn more about upcoming events, where to listen to or buy the album, or contact Nick Foytik for show availability at nickfoytik.com. His next Chippewa Valley gig is at River Bend Winery & Distillery in Chippewa Falls on May 13.