Nash to bring songs, stories to Park Theatre

By ROB DUGUAY

Graham Nash is one of the best songwriters over the past 60 years. This is true with tunes such as “King Midas In Reverse” and “Jennifer Eccles” with The Hollies, as well as with “Marrakesh Express”, “Our House” and “Teach Your Children” with Crosby, Stills & Nash.

Nash is still writing songs and performing on a regular basis. He’s currently on tour and will be coming to the Park Theatre (848 Park Ave., Cranston) on July 19. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. The show will be a mix of song and storytelling.   

We had a talk ahead of his performance about going from rock and pop to folk music when he was starting out, a company he has outside of his music career, and looking forward to bringing good music to Rhode Island.

Rob Duguay: When you started your career with The Hollies during the ’60s, the band exhibited a blend of rock and pop styles, but when you started collaborating with David Crosby and Stephen Stills, the music you were making came from more of a folk influence. What would you say inspired this transition? Was it due to the folk revival that was going on in popular music at the time or was it something else?

Graham Nash: When I was in The Hollies, I learned to write a melody that you couldn’t forget if you heard it a couple times, but the words were kind of fake in a way, like in the songs “On A Carousel” and “Carrie Anne”. Then when I moved to America and I made music with David, Stephen, and Joni [Mitchell] and so on, I realized that if I could put better words to the melodies then my songs would be better. I think that’s what happened.

RD: Has your approach or technique with music changed over the years since you moved to the United States during the ‘60s?

GN: My technique hasn’t changed since I came to America over 50 years ago, I still write about what’s happening to me. My wife Amy gave me a great quote by Nina Simone, who said, “every artist, no matter what you do, you have to reflect the times in which you live”. I’ve always thought that was an incredible quote, and that’s what I’ve always tried to do with my music. Things that upset me, things that make me fall in love, things that piss me off, things that make me feel ok, I just have to reflect on the times in which I’m living.

RD: You also founded a fine art digital-based publishing company called Nash Editions with your former road manager Mac Holbert, which is still in operation today. The company started a bit ahead of its time, so what initially gave you and Mac the idea to pursue this endeavor?

GN: I always saw digital publishing as a train that was coming at us, and we should either get on the train or get out of the way. I started Nash Editions in 1989 with Mac with a graphics printer, which was an IRIS 3047 and it’s now in the National Museum of American History.

RD: Very cool. When it comes to doing digital publishing these days, do you still use printers or is it mostly done online?

GN: I think a good printer is invaluable and I’ve always tried to make the best prints. When I travel around the world and I go to the art galleries that show what people call giclee printing, I study them very closely to see if the pixels are all in line. If they’re not, then it’s not right.

RD: What are your thoughts on coming to the Park Theatre this Saturday night? I know you’ve lived in various parts of the United States, so what do you think of performing in Rhode Island?

GN: I’ve always loved the people who love music in Rhode Island, particularly the Park Theatre. The people in Rhode Island love to hear good music, and the truth is that you have to start with a real song. If I can touch someone’s heart with an acoustic guitar or a piano, I know I’m doing well. You don’t need 20,000 singers and 12 dancers, you just have to start with a good song.

RD: Absolutely, couldn’t agree more. Do you have any plans to work on a new album? I know it’s been a bit since you released your most recent album “Now” back in 2023.

GN: I’m working on several things. First, about a new album, I just finished a song with my friend Adam Minkoff, who is one of the people who will be playing with me when I come to the Park Theater. Adam is an acoustic and electric guitar player, and on a couple of songs he plays drums and bass and sings at the same time. I also have Zach Djanikian playing on guitar, mandolin and tenor sax, and my dear friend Todd Caldwell, who I’ve been making music with for over 15 years, on keyboards.