A poetic collection of songs about the common man, traveling troubadour musicians and the gift of eavesdropping
Nick Justice 
to Release Rain Dancing On 2/6
“He is one of those artists whose name may not be widely known but whose music seems like it’s been in the ether forever. Best typecast as Americana, he doesn’t opt for a carbon copy sound.” – The Daily Ripple
The new batch of songs on Rain Dancing from California troubadour Nick Justice delivers enough grit and dust to all the songs to come alive. Produced by Ed Tree at Treehouse Studios in San Gabriel, CA, the album features a diverse group of musicians, including Rick Shea (Dave Alvin) and Jay Dee Maness (Merle Haggard). Rain Dancing will be released via Tres Pescadores Records on February 6, 2026.
At first listen, Nick’s voice and delivery will remind you of Townes Van Zandt, a hint of Robert Earl Keen, and, of course, Guy Clark. The instrumentation is spot on, featuring varied sound textures that include fiddle, harmonium, and pedal steel, which hug Nick’s voice. All songs were written by Nick except for three: “Juarez” (Brad Colerick), “Sycamore Grove” (Rick Shea), and “Only A River”, a song from Bob Weir of The Grateful Dead.
Focus songs off the album and their stories straight from Nick:
Bide Your Time – “I had just watched a performance by my friend James Intveld, and on the ride home, I was thinking about the ups and downs of us musicians biding our time and still doing what we do. There’s always a place over the hill where you can still find a thrill, and on that day, it was James Intveld at Godmother’s Saloon in San Pedro.”
Something In The Milk Ain’t Clean – “A couple of years ago, I was making a record with Joel Raphael producing. Joel has a history with the Woody Guthrie family and was actually asked by Nora Guthrie to write to some of Woody’s lyrics, along with Billy Bragg. To that end, Joel has performed at the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival for the last twenty-five years. Joel invited me out to play and share the stage with one of my heroes, Butch Hancock. Prior to my performance, I was out for breakfast and could hear the conversation of 4 farmers seated at the table, and was intrigued by the discussion, which included pharmaceutical advertising and how anybody could take those drugs after they start listing the side effects, the best TV dinners, and the general political state of the nation. As one of the folks got up to leave, he turned to the others and said, Ya know, boys, something in the milk ain’t clean”. Well, I just thought that was a great title, and the lyrics reflect their conversation.”
Rain Dancing – “Title track. We live in a tough world. Let the waterfall.”
“It’s not hard to believe that Justice has spent plenty of time listening to Woody Guthrie, Hank Williams, and more modern artists like Peter Case, and he turns those influences into a heartfelt and instantly absorbing listen.” – Take Effect
With a voice that balances road-worn honesty and tender storytelling, Justice blends folk, Americana, and roots influences into music that feels both timeless and deeply personal. Nick is an American singer-songwriter and troubadour whose songs carry the grit and heart of a life well-traveled.
Raised on the sounds of troubadours like Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, and John Prine, Justice’s writing captures the struggles and small triumphs of everyday life, painting vivid portraits of love, loss, redemption, and resilience. His storytelling is matched by a melodic sensibility that invites listeners to lean in and linger with each song.
Over the years, Justice has released seven solo records, earning a reputation as a songwriter’s songwriter—one who can make a simple turn of phrase cut deep. A seasoned performer, he has traveled widely, sharing his songs in intimate venues and festivals, always connecting with audiences through his authenticity and warmth.
Based in Southern California for quite some time, Nick has played at various venues, from Italian restaurants to shows with the BoDeans and The Beat Farmers, throughout the Southwest, and at the Woodie Guthrie Folk Festival in Tulsa, OK. He has shared stages with Butch Hancock, Richard Steiger (HONK), Jackson Browne, and Los Lobos.
Nick Justice continues to carve out his place in the rich tradition of American songcraft, carrying the troubadour spirit forward with honesty, soul, and grace.
