Nick Luca is currently guitarist for Calexico and keyboardist for Iron & Wine.
At New Monkey Recording Studio in Van Nuys, CA, Nick has found an engineering home in the Los Angeles area. Formerly owned by Elliott Smith, the studio features a Trident A-Range console, a much desired mixing board. Current projects include Everest, Particle Wave, Margaret Cho and Ben Lee. Previously, Nick was an engineer/producer/musician at Tucson's Wavelab Recording Studio for over 10 years. With owner, Craig Schumacher, and notable artists such as Devotchka, Neko Case, Iron and Wine, M Ward, Calexico, Robyn Hitchcock, Tom Russell, Crooked Fingers and Evan Dando, Nick has been an integral part of making very highly regarded albums of the indie music era. Most recently Neko Case's Middle Cyclone LP was nominated for a Grammy 2009 (Best Contemporary Folk).
About the Band, Luca
New in 2010: Nick produces the latest Luca album Favorite Candy. Just a good ol' time, fun, rock and roll record with a live vibe and a little swagger too - now available!
Luca song, Favorite Candy, was used in the FOX TV show Sons Of Tucson.
Luca's last CD, the 2006 release Sick of Love, moved the band's sound into rock territory. To help him go in that direction, Nick enlisted guitarist Joey Unger and drummer Ryan Janac, both from Tucson's sonic-popsters Sunday Afternoon. And yes, Nick's longtime band mate, bassist Chris Giambelluca, is still onboard.
But the band now sports a more driving, guitar-based attack. The songwriting is infused with psychedlia, Beatles-esque pop and classic rock. And then there's the mark of storied producer Sean Slade (Radiohead, Hole, The Pixies, Dresden Dolls), who brought a new perspective to the talented band and helped them capture their musical evolution on tape at Wavelab.
Guest musicians include Calexico's Jacob Valenzuela on trumpet, famous Tucson (and beyond) drummer Winston Watson, sax player Marco Rosano and producer Sean Slade (multi-tasking here on organ, bass clarinet and vibes).
Luca the band recorded a sizzling live show at everyone's favorite Tucson venue, Club Congress; titled Coming In For a Landing, it's available online and from Nick on tour.
