Nakia
Encyclopedia
Nakia Reynoso known professionally as Nakia, is an American musician
, singer-songwriter
and actor
living in Austin, Texas
. He is a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia
.
, where he had been working as an intern for Aware Records
. After arriving in Austin
, Nakia began to pursue a solo career but was first noticed by Fastball
guitarist and co-founder, Miles Zuniga. Zuniga recruited Nakia to join his rock and roll lounge act side project, The Small Stars.
Each member of The Small Stars had an alter-ego and complete back story. Nakia created the character, "Vic Odin", who was described as a sleazy, double-crossing, British manager. He left the band in 2006.
In 2006, Nakia performed in theatrical productions of The Music Man
and Rocky Horror Show. He also had a role in the independent film Lone Star Blues. Nakia soon became a featured singer at many local Austin venues and a favorite among many Austin music critics.
In winter 2007, Nakia released the EP Playing The Cards. He formed the band Southern Cousins and the band began receiving positive reviews of their live shows. The band would go on to share stages with Willie Nelson
and BB King and perform at events such as South Padre International Music Festival
and Austin City Limits Music Festival
.
Water to Wine
On April 14, 2009, Nakia release his first full-length album, Water To Wine. Produced by Mac McNabb, the album features songs written by Nakia, Michael Fracasso
, and Monte Warden. The album was well-received by local and national media.
Street Songs of Love
In November 2009, Alejandro Escovedo
invited Nakia to participate in his "Sessions On South Congress" performances at the Continental Club in Austin, Texas
. Nakia went on to record backing vocals for Street Songs of Love, featuring songs that were originally presented during the Continental Club sessions. This collaborative effort provided an opportunity for Nakia to work with rock producer Tony Visconti
. The album was released in June 2010.
, NBC
's new singing competition. This was confirmed when NBC released two separate commercials featuring Nakia's "Blind Audition." Nakia's hope in auditioning for the series was to be able to pay back his partner for supporting his music career. Nakia chose Cee Lo Green to be his coach after singing his song, Forget You. Nakia also moved on from the Battle Rounds to the Live Shows after beating Tje Austin
. Cee Lo chose him to be a quarter-finalist. On June 22, 2011, Nakia was voted off the show, coming in 7th place after being beaten by Vicci Martinez
in the semi-finals. On Tuesday,June 28, 2011 Nakia was a guest on Kevin Smith's Plus One Per Diem internet radio show.
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
and actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
living in Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
. He is a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay...
.
Professional background
Nakia moved to Austin in 2002 from ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, where he had been working as an intern for Aware Records
Aware Records
Aware Records is an American record label, existent to seek unsigned musical artists and expose them to the mainstream media. The label has had success with a range of artists, including John Mayer, Train, Five For Fighting, Mat Kearney and Guster....
. After arriving in Austin
Austin
Austin is the capital of the U.S. state of Texas.Austin may also refer to:-In the United States:*Austin, Arkansas*Austin, Colorado*Austin, Chicago, Illinois*Austin, Indiana*Austin, Minnesota*Austin, Nevada*Austin, Oregon...
, Nakia began to pursue a solo career but was first noticed by Fastball
Fastball (band)
Fastball is an American rock band that formed in Austin, Texas in the 1990s. The band originally called themselves "Magneto U.S.A." but changed their name after signing with Hollywood Records....
guitarist and co-founder, Miles Zuniga. Zuniga recruited Nakia to join his rock and roll lounge act side project, The Small Stars.
Each member of The Small Stars had an alter-ego and complete back story. Nakia created the character, "Vic Odin", who was described as a sleazy, double-crossing, British manager. He left the band in 2006.
In 2006, Nakia performed in theatrical productions of The Music Man
The Music Man
The Music Man is a musical with book, music, and lyrics by Meredith Willson, based on a story by Willson and Franklin Lacey. The plot concerns con man Harold Hill, who poses as a boys' band organizer and leader and sells band instruments and uniforms to naive townsfolk before skipping town with...
and Rocky Horror Show. He also had a role in the independent film Lone Star Blues. Nakia soon became a featured singer at many local Austin venues and a favorite among many Austin music critics.
Recording background
Playing the CardsIn winter 2007, Nakia released the EP Playing The Cards. He formed the band Southern Cousins and the band began receiving positive reviews of their live shows. The band would go on to share stages with Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
and BB King and perform at events such as South Padre International Music Festival
South Padre International Music Festival
South Padre International Music Festival is an annual 3-day music festival held on South Padre Island, Texas. The event features international and national artists, encompassing a wide range of musical genres including country, funk, reggae, rock, indie, Latin rock, ska and jazz...
and Austin City Limits Music Festival
Austin City Limits Music Festival
The Austin City Limits Music Festival is an annual three-day American music festival that takes place in Austin, Texas at the city's central public park, Zilker Park...
.
Water to Wine
On April 14, 2009, Nakia release his first full-length album, Water To Wine. Produced by Mac McNabb, the album features songs written by Nakia, Michael Fracasso
Michael Fracasso
Michael Fracasso is a singer-songwriter based in Austin, Texas. His music spans country and rock as he sings in a high tenor that evokes the "high lonesome" sound of early country....
, and Monte Warden. The album was well-received by local and national media.
Street Songs of Love
In November 2009, Alejandro Escovedo
Alejandro Escovedo
Alejandro Escovedo is an American singer-songwriter.-Biography:The son of Mexican immigrants to Texas, Escovedo is from a family that boasts several professional musicians, including brothers Coke Escovedo and Pete Escovedo, and Sheila E...
invited Nakia to participate in his "Sessions On South Congress" performances at the Continental Club in Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
. Nakia went on to record backing vocals for Street Songs of Love, featuring songs that were originally presented during the Continental Club sessions. This collaborative effort provided an opportunity for Nakia to work with rock producer Tony Visconti
Tony Visconti
Anthony Edward Visconti is an American record producer and sometimes a musician or singer.Since the late 1960s, he has worked with an array of performers; his lengthiest involvement with any artist is with David Bowie: intermittently from Bowie's 1969 album Space Oddity to 2003's Reality, Visconti...
. The album was released in June 2010.
Media appearances
In April 2011, Nakia announced that he had auditioned for the American edition of The VoiceThe Voice (U.S. TV series)
The Voice is an American reality talent show that premiered on April 26, 2011 on the NBC television network. Based on the reality singing competition The Voice of Holland, the series was created by Dutch television producer John de Mol. It is part of an international series...
, NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
's new singing competition. This was confirmed when NBC released two separate commercials featuring Nakia's "Blind Audition." Nakia's hope in auditioning for the series was to be able to pay back his partner for supporting his music career. Nakia chose Cee Lo Green to be his coach after singing his song, Forget You. Nakia also moved on from the Battle Rounds to the Live Shows after beating Tje Austin
Tje Austin
Tje Austin, pronounced TYE, is an American R&B singer-songwriter based out of Austin, Texas. He is also a former contestant of NBC's singing competition The Voice.-Background:...
. Cee Lo chose him to be a quarter-finalist. On June 22, 2011, Nakia was voted off the show, coming in 7th place after being beaten by Vicci Martinez
Vicci Martinez
Vicci Martinez, Born on September 21, 1984 is an American singer/songwriter from Tacoma, Washington, who is now signed with Universal Group . She came in joint third on NBC's singing competition series The Voice in 2011. She came in first place on Team Cee Lo Green and represented him in the final...
in the semi-finals. On Tuesday,June 28, 2011 Nakia was a guest on Kevin Smith's Plus One Per Diem internet radio show.
Discography
- 2007: Playing the Cards
- 2009: Water to Wine
- 2010: Street Songs of Love (collaboration with Alejandro EscovedoAlejandro EscovedoAlejandro Escovedo is an American singer-songwriter.-Biography:The son of Mexican immigrants to Texas, Escovedo is from a family that boasts several professional musicians, including brothers Coke Escovedo and Pete Escovedo, and Sheila E...
)