Best Young Guitarists 40ish & Under: Nick Stutsman
Age: 33
Bands: Merchant Ships, Midwest Pen Pals, Park Jefferson, Canadian Wedding
Essential Album: For Cameron by Merchant Ships
You probably never heard of Nick Stutsman…unless you were into Midwest Emo in and around 2010. If that’s the case, then you might have a shrine to him in your basement. He is an exceptionally gifted guitarist with a very natural, instinctive style that he pairs with a potent but sneaky technical acumen. His melodies seem fragile but effortless as if there is no divide at all between his mind and his fingers. He plays in interesting and unusual tunings, and his fingers just seem to fall into beautiful and arresting melodies.
A long time ago, I came upon a live recording of his band, Merchant Ships, on Youtube. It was a full live set. They played their first song, and then Stutsman tuned his guitar, and strangely enough, that's what hooked me on his music. He tuned his guitar and then slapped down a breathtakingly gorgeous melody. It didn't seem to be a part from any of his songs. He was just testing to make sure the tuning was right. It was so effortlessly beautiful. His guitar work is playful and improvisational. He loves exploring all kinds of unexpected tunings. And his style is continually evolving. I really hope he continues to make new music and explores more of his seemingly endless potential.
HERE is the best album from his epic emo band, Merchant Ships
HERE is an example of his more recent work, his newest style.
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