SUNDAY MUSIC : Nick Stika

Stika was born and raised in Iowa City, IA where he still resides. He first laid his hands on a guitar at age eight and found he could never put it down. He began his official music career in 1977 when he fronted his first band at age 17. Since then, for over 30 years, he’s faithfully strummed his guitar to the tune of Rock, Country, Punk, New Wave, Folk and many other genres. Stika is currently focused on three projects: his solo career, his cover band Dogs On Skis and an acoustic duo with long time friend Tom Nugent. “I can play very popular music,” he says, “or I can play obscure covers by songwriters that have influenced me over the years and blend in my own original songs.” Some of those songwriters include Greg Brown, David Wilcox, Don Conoscenti and Ellis Paul. Stika released his solo debut album, Big Ol’ Moon, in 2003 and is already hard at work on his full-length sophomore album. The album will feature songs in a similar Acoustic Pop/Folk vein.