Derek Nelson & The Musicians

Riders of the Tide is the full-band followup to Something Obscure, the acclaimed solo premiere of Derek Nelson.

Recorded over four days in September at Engine Studios by Neil Strauch (Bonnie Prince Billy, Iron and Wine), and written and arranged by The Musicians, the songs on Riders of the Tide mark a distinct evolution from the sounds heard on its sparse predecessor.

Released to a sold out crowd at Schubas in Chicago, Riders of the Tide is more haunting, driving and urgent, yet keeps in touch with the sound that led the band to headline Chicago's largest clubs in its first year, and be named "a force to be reckoned with" (SPIN), the "Top band to see at Taste of Chicago," (Metromix) and "Top 10 to watch in 2010" (CDBaby), along with praise from the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Red Eye, and more.

Riders of the Tide is available now. You can name your own price and download it at dereknelson.bandcamp.com now.

The band is: Pete Falknor (electric guitars, drums, vocals), Cathy Starr (violin), Ryan Martin (bass), Sarah Jane Goldstein (vocals, percussion), Derek Nelson (acoustic guitar, vocals, harmonica).

"Derek Nelson has come a long way.  In little over a year and a half, he has gone from being a bedroom balladeer to a hard-charging, folk-rock powerhouse."
— Simplesinger


"There's one constant, though, whether the material is plugged in and rocking or softly acoustic: Derek and the band sound like they've been doing this together for a decade, not a year. There's an air of confidence and passion throughout these six songs that's impossible to overlook. If Something Obscure introduced Derek as an artist worth looking into, Riders of the Tide cements him as one worth championing."
— Windy City Rock


"Looking for the next Joe Pug? Here he is."
— Red Eye


"A fervent and sincere old soul who actually knows how to craft a decent song. Riders of the Tide catches Chicago’s Derek Nelson revisiting many of the strengths responsible for his debut’s praise, while incorporating the urgency derived from time spent performing with a live band. It’s the live band-energy propelling the record."
— VEOBA

"Introspective .... A definite crowd pleaser ... A force to be reckoned with."
— SPIN


"Toting his harmonica and delivering folk rock with a mix of gray-sky realism and youthful hope ... the sounds on “Something Obscure” are something significant. If he keeps making the types of impressions heard on this EP, he’ll be a household name yet."
— Columbia Daily Tribune


"Heartfelt lyrical approach and winning musical touches like melancholy violin and endearingly Dylanesque harmonica."
— Jim Derogatis, Chicago Sun-Times


"Top 10 to watch in 2010"
— CDBaby


"Top band to see at Taste of Chicago ... You'll see why he's going places."
— Matt Pais, Metromix


"Top unsigned band to watch in 2010"
— Turn Yourself On


"As casual and comfortable as a favorite pair of jeans, combining acoustic strumming, weather-beaten blasts of harmonica and Nelson's conversational vocals. The recordings echo the intimacy of a small-room show."
— Chicago Tribune


"I'm not sure who or what finally persuaded him to let everyone else in on his music, but Something Obscure proves it's a damn good thing they did."
— Windy City Rock


"The Musicians blew away a crowd of 300 at Lincoln Hall..."
— Matt David, Examiner


"Gently disarming... Folk-pop, nicely done. Proves there's nothing inherently bland about a dude with an acoustic guitar."
— Chicago RedEye


"An energetic force ... Like a young Ryan Adams on ten Red Bulls."
— SticoftheWeek


"Filled room. Glasses of Guinness in the air. Americana done right. Fact: This band is one to look out for in 2010."
— PshPosh dot com


"The album is called Something Obscure and it's fucking beautiful."
— Eat Sleep Breathe / Listen.


"Derek Nelson is trying to avoid stereotypes and bring back a sense of urgency in music."
— Blare Magazine


"I knew I’d better catch him soon because this one is gonna blow up. He’s been touted by much of the local press here as the next big thing."
— Love Shack, Baby


"It is rare to discover such a young folk(ish)-music talent writing songs that seem so far beyond his years ... His lyrics and the way the words tie into the music is phenomenal."
— A Curious Monogram


"The Chicago songwriting sensation ... He sang with a vigorous energy that often required little amplification, and seemed to cherish his every turn around the circle with a palpable joy and wholehearted performance."
— SimpleTalk


"Add this guy to your list of upcoming arts to pay attention to. He's got my attention."
— How's My Living


"Genuine... his lyrics are true. One day at a time, people will be changed by the music that he shares."
— Harmon Drive


"On the verge of breaking out of obscurity and into the spotlight….he may need to rethink the name of that EP."
— The Prettiest Girls in the World Live in Chicago


"Nelson's velvet vocals are soaked with soul, floating somewhere between the likes of Langhorne Slim, Jim James, and Easy Tiger-era Ryan Adams. With poignant lyrics delivered effortlessly over simple guitar arrangements and mournful wails of the harmonica, Something Obscure makes for a hauntingly beautiful listening experience."
- Logan Square Dispatch


"Really blew me away … I love the energy of the band, how visibly enthusiastic they are about the music. There was a point in one song where the whole band was screaming in unison. And Derek looks kind of possessed when he sings."
- Juanita Reads