Nick Justice

Rain Dancing

Pescadores

Nick Justice returns with his seventh full-length solo album, Rain Dancing. Justice continues to work with guitarist Richard Stekol, a mainstay on all of Justice’s solo albums, while turning to multi-instrumentalist and producer/engineer/mixer Ed Tree this time. Justice also reached out to veterans, guitarist  Rick Shea (Dave Alvin), and pedal steel player Jay Dee Maness (Merle Haggard) on select tracks. If you are new to Justice, appearing for the first time on these pages, Shea and the folk side of Alvin are reference points, as well as the great Texas songwriters like Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt. Yet, it’s that Southern California vibe and sensibility that comes through. Rain Dancing offers more textures than previous Justice efforts as he weaves fiddle, banjo, harmonium, and upright bass into the mix. Justice sings, plays acoustic guitar, and plays harmonica. Scott Babcock is on drums with Darice Bailey and Brad Colerick on background vocals. Justice penned all twelve songs except “Juarez” (Colerick), “Sycamore Grove” (Shea), and “Only a River” (the late Bob Weir).

“Bide Your Time”  opens, imbued by Maness’s pedal steel. Justice had witnessed a performance by his friend, James Intveld, and ruminated on the struggles of musicians who have to bide their time, waiting for that special thrill that only comes from performance. It reminds me of this quote from Justice’s  2023 Stranger In My Town when he said this, “I’m not a great guitar player, I’m not a great singer, but I am able to observe the human condition and communicate that in song. Fame is fleeting and screws with your mind. It was never my bag. If you love what you do, you do it on any scale or stage. I’ve played in front of 10.000 people, and I’ve more often played to empty houses. The performance never differs.”

“Something In The Milk Ain’t Clean” is one of those memorable lines that lend themselves to song. Justice overheard a conversation between four farmers at breakfast that ranged from pharmaceutical advertising and the scary list of side effects, the best TV dinners, and the general political state of the nation. As one of the four got up to leave, he turned to the others and said, “Ya know, boys, something in the milk ain’t clean.” Forest Miller is on the fiddle while Justice sings about the polarizing views on various news channels.  The syncopated, jaunty “Need To Be Free” depicts a woman who can’t contain her restlessness. “Runnin’ With the Blind” is a two-step rouser with tasty guitar licks from Stekol. The fiddle-driven title track rounds out that trio of uplifting songs, where Justice urges us to leave the gloom behind and revel in a bit of fun.

“Terms of My Surrender’ features both fiddle and banjo by Bill Knopf as Justice pleads with his partner, trying to assess what it will take to reach common ground. We hear Tree’s harmonium instead of the conventional squeezebox of the story song “Juarez.” “Outside Lookin’ In” is another story song, driven by Miller’s fiddle. We hear Justice’s harmonica for the first time, mingling with the fiddle on “At Least Another Day,” an ode to patience. Weir’s “Only the River” was recorded before Weir’s passing and takes on more gravitas now that the Dead co-founder is gone. The song references the well-known folk song, “Shenandoah,” with mournful fiddle from Miller and also evokes other mournful river songs like Merle Haggard’s “Kern River.”

Rick Shea’s pedal steel colors his own upbeat “Sycamore Grove,” found on Shea’s 1995 album, Buffalo Show. The closing “Time Passing By” addresses mortality. Justice wrote it about a live performing partner and someone who has played on all but one of his records, who came down with some very serious health issues. The friend once told Justice that he had many regrets, to which Justice replied, “If you don’t have regrets, you haven’t lived life.”

One has to admire both Justice’s perseverance and modesty. Spoken like the true troubadour that he is, it’s only a matter of time, given his persistence, that Justice becomes a more familiar name. This could well be his breakout album.

– Jim Hynes

Buy Us a Cup of Coffee!

Join the movement in supporting Making a Scene, the premier independent resource for both emerging musicians and the dedicated fans who champion them.

We showcase this vibrant community that celebrates the raw talent and creative spirit driving the music industry forward. From insightful articles and in-depth interviews to exclusive content and insider tips, Making a Scene empowers artists to thrive and fans to discover their next favorite sound.

Together, let’s amplify the voices of independent musicians and forge unforgettable connections through the power of music

You can donate directly through Paypal!

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Order the New Book From Making a Scene

Breaking Chains – Navigating the Decentralized Music Industry

Breaking Chains is a groundbreaking guide for independent musicians ready to take control of their careers in the rapidly evolving world of decentralized music. From blockchain-powered royalties to NFTs, DAOs, and smart contracts, this book breaks down complex Web3 concepts into practical strategies that help artists earn more, connect directly with fans, and retain creative freedom. With real-world examples, platform recommendations, and step-by-step guidance, it empowers musicians to bypass traditional gatekeepers and build sustainable careers on their own terms.

More than just a tech manual, Breaking Chains explores the bigger picture—how decentralization can rebuild the music industry’s middle class, strengthen local economies, and transform fans into stakeholders in an artist’s journey. Whether you’re an emerging musician, a veteran indie artist, or a curious fan of the next music revolution, this book is your roadmap to the future of fair, transparent, and community-driven music.

Get your Limited Edition Signed and Numbered (Only 50 copies Available)  Free Shipping Included