This morning, blues rock powerhouse and ArtistWorks instructor, Jared James Nichols released his brand new four-track EP, Shadow Dancer, on Black Hill Records.
Featuring Jared’s signature blend of blues and hard rock guitar stylings, Shadow Dancer not only showcases the “Blues Power” titan’s virtuosity as a guitar player, but his prowess as a songwriter, lyricist, and vocalist as well.
Jared prefaced the four-track release with two singles, providing his audience and fan base with a small taste of the EP that left us all craving more. The first single, and coincidentally the first track on the EP, “Skin ‘n Bone” kicks off with a series of screaming guitar bends over a descending minor chord progression that immediately sets the tone of the records, deluging the listener with the raw strength and emotion that defines Jared’s “Blues Power” style.
“I may not be great at sitting down and having a conversation with you about my feelings,” Jared explains. “But, I can play a song like ‘Skin ‘n Bone’ that shows you how I’m feeling and support it with sound and with guitar and with all the bombastic craziness that I put on it.”
The EP’s second single, “Bad Roots,” retains the characteristic sound of Jared’s guitar-driven power trio, but, unlike “Skin ‘n Bone,” incorporates a pulsing 1/8th note bassline, forceful double kick drum pattern, huge fuzzed-out guitar tones, and vocal melody that is nothing short of hypnotizing.
The EPs title track, “Shadow Dancer,” showcases a different side of the guitar master. Falling somewhere happily between a power ballad and a mid-tempo riff-rock anthem, “Shadow Dancer” incorporates crunchy vibrato-heavy guitar tones, catchy melody lines, and an unshakable rhythm section to provide a unique hybridization of rock styles, reminiscent of Led Zeppelin meets Soundgarden.
Through Jared’s online guitar lessons right here at ArtistWorks, you can learn how to play the unique blend of blues and hard rock guitar the defines Jared’s “Blues Power” sound directly from the master himself.
Shadow Dancer is available for download or streaming on all major platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify, iTunes, and Amazon Music. You can catch Jared live in concert with Black Stone Cherry this October, and he’ll also be hosting a variety of guitar clinics through Sam Ash Music at the below locations:
Jared James Nichols Guitar Clinics at Sam Ash Music, October 2021:
King of Prussia, PA – 10/05/2021
Charlotte, NC – 10/12/2021
Houston, TX – 10/16/2021
San Antonio, TX – 10/19/2021
Chicago, IL – 10/23/2021
For more info on upcoming clinics, tour dates, and new music, check out Jared’s website here.