Music

nicholas Premieres His New Soul Jam “System is Broken”

nicholas premieres his funky new jam “System is Broken” as part of the Chicago-based musical collective The Winding Road.

Published

3 days ago

09/04/2024

Aaron Willschick

nicholas, photo by Tim Nagle

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It won’t take you more than a minute or two to start singing along to nicholas’ new single “System is Broken.” That’s just the nature of the music that Chicago-based singer-songwriter Nick McMillan churns out. “System is Broken” has an interesting backstory, for it is actually an alternate version of a different song. McMillan released an experimental R&B album titled HEAT ISLAND EFFECT last fall. That record featured a song titled “BROKE BUILDING,” and this is a more up-tempo, groovier version. It has a very live sound to it, like a group of musicians banging out a jam in an old-time jazz club.

While released under the name nicholas, “System is Broken” is actually part of a more elaborate collaboration called The Winding Road. Featuring McMillan, Marcus Darling, Pat Leary, Alex Santilli, and Luc Parcell, The Winding Road can be likened to a musical collective. Based in Chicago, they all play in each other’s bands and specifically for McMillan’s musical outlet nicholas.

Commenting on their unveiling, McMillan states:

“We live in a copy/paste world. Aren’t you sick of hearing the same old shit? All we have is each other and we aim to express our displeasure. This is the debut of our group The Winding Road.”

“The Winding Road is a Voltron of sorts with many moving parts.”

Describing the collaboration, McMillan adds:

“Hailing from Chicago, The Winding Road was formed in a tiny house above a swamp in the bayous north of New Orleans. We are a highly collaborative collective, and we believe in the power of radical transparency. our creation is fueled by the seething cultural confusion of our forebearers.”

Over the summer, nicholas has shared a few standalone singles featuring different collaborators, including co-writer Marcus Darling. The Winding Road has plenty more in store for the future, with many musical ideas currently simmering. If you have an appetite for old-time extended funk jams, you’ve found a home with The Winding Road.