Nik Freitas

There's nothing like couch surfing. You find comfort in knowing you have friends who would rather have you staying in their living room than see you living on the street. In addition, the ability to cast off the confines of a daily routine and go with the flow allows you to reach up and grab a fist full of life. With nothing to lose, you're left with honesty and freedom, and from there you can go anywhere.
Nik Freitas, musician, skateboard photographer and artist has been relying on the fortune of good friends for three months now, resting his head on arm-chairs and sofas, spending his time making music and attempting to achieve what we all strive for.
"Just being happy. I just believe in the philosophy you should do whatever you want to do and make a living at it," reveals the 23 year old central valley native. "You don't have to make a great living…we've all worked crappy jobs, so that's not what I want to be doing, I'll tell you that. Right now I'm sleeping on people's couches, I don't even have a home. Who knows what's going to happen," he continues. "You gotta give a lot up I guess, but screw it, I'm still young."
It takes a certain caliber of person to quit their day job before their art begins to generate a living. Formerly a staff photographer at Thrasher Magazine, Freitas recently left his salaried position in order to devote all of his time to music. Nik's debut album Here's Laughing at You (Future Farmer Records) is slated for release at the end of May, and in the meantime he's been busy putting together his live band, showcasing his talents at events like South by Southwest, and gearing up for the difficult road ahead. Although there are many Top Ramen nights in his future, Freitas has no regrets about liberating his time of work's confines.
"I had to make a decision, know what I mean? Now I'm putting most of my time into music, whereas before I was shooting photos all the time," explains Freitas over the telephone. He is calling from a friend's house in his hometown of Visalia. The long distance on his calling card has run out, so it's his friend's nickel. "It's good, it's freedom. I don't have to be at a nine to five job."
One listen to Freitas' heartfelt music and it's easy to understand why he gave up his time-consuming position as staff photographer. With block-chord piano playing and buoyant guitar licks, Here's Laughing at You offers honest tales of romance and love lost, and with his shattered-glass heart on his sleeve, Freitas sings with the passion found in someone who follows their dreams to the detriment of their comfort. His tender voice and revealing songwriting bring to mind the likes of Cat Stevens or Elliott Smith, and what he lacks in technique he more than makes up for in charm. The songs draw you in and keep you wrapped up with involving melodies and candid confessions. His album is a work of art, something to really be proud of.
In addition to writing and singing every note on Here's Laughing at You, Freitas is also credited with playing every instrument, a skill he's been working on since starting on drums in his earlier years.
"I played drums in the jazz band all through high school, and then started messing with other shit," remembers Freitas. "I think if you learn backwards, it's better overall. Drums, then bass, then guitar and all of that. I just bought a piano two years ago. I'm glad I did it this way."
Even though he is capable of writing for and recording many instruments, Nik found the feat to be a great challenge. "It was just something I always wanted to do, play all the instruments on the record. I'll never do it again, I'll tell you that. It's a nightmare."
The album, recorded with longtime friend Aaron Estes, has the distinct DIY vibe, a fact echoed by Freitas' refusal to take an album advance from Future Farmer. Says Nik, "I was like, 'Look, don't give me any money, I'm going to go and do this with my friend cause this is something we want to do and I'm going to give you a record. If you want to put it out, put it out. We just put a lot of work into this and now it's all working out and Dennis [Mitchell, president of Future Farmer Records] is really behind it."
Although things are looking up, Freitas' transitory days are not yet over. Soon Nik will find his head resting on dashboards of tour vans as he and his band hit the road to promote their memorable music. If you're lucky enough, you might experience firsthand the outstanding nature of his songs, and maybe even pick up his album when it hits the store shelves…and when you catch his live show, secure yourself some good karma and offer him a couch to sleep on for the night. It'll score you some points on the other side of life.

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