Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Hensley.
Hi Nick, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
THE MN SONGWRITER SHOWCASE (An 18+ year MN Music Tradition)
The MN SONGWRITER Showcase takes place every Wednesday at the Aster Cafe in Minneapolis from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM and every Sunday at Plums Neighborhood Tavern in Saint Paul from 9 PM to midnight.
Both shows are FREE but otherwise quite different…
Sunday has 15 songwriters (five per hour) with rotating backup players (2-3) every Sunday… (From percussion to pedal steel, Bass, Hammond Organ, Cello to electric guitar and slide) from some of the most talented players in town! (It is considered to be one of the best-kept secrets in Minnesota & we take that very seriously)
Wednesday hosts 10 players (5 / hour) but it’s all stripped down to just you and your acoustic guitar or house piano…
Unless it’s an “under the influence” evening or an annual benefit or tribute… All these showcases are original music only… Charts are encouraged but not a necessity…
To participate and find out more info email us at angrymen@comcast.net
Post Covid we do not have any more “open slots“ so we’re just asking for either a referral from a friend that already plays the showcases and/ or a video of you playing an original song… Nothing too fancy YouTube links and personal links work best preferably not Google.
Send the video to: angrymen@comcast.net.
Cheers, Hensley & Co.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
For the most part, it’s been an incredible ride.
Bumps on the way have included….
The deaths of two close songwriters.
Covid. Twin Boys (which have been amazing but have slowed me down).
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Nick Hensley & The Love Songs For Angry Men, The Acoustic Solo, Duo, Trio & occasional Full Band (with the terrible name). From Saint Paul, Minnesota (The Best City in the Twin Cities!).
Nick Hensley is the former lead singer and co-creator of The District, a regional soul & rock act from the upper Midwest, co-based out of St. Paul, MN, and Chicago, IL. Hensley created Love Songs For Angry Men shortly after The District called it quits in 2002. Hensley’s alias, stage name, and alter ego,
Love Songs For Angry Men originated as a bad joke… similar to other shorter-lived band names like Amish Puppy Mill and Billy’s Little Secret. Unfortunately, for Nick and his band members, no approaching 20 years later… THE NAME WON’T GO AWAY!
Hensley’s 3 STUDIO ALBUMS were released (in 2009, 2013 & 2019) to sold-out crowds in Chicago, Saint Paul, and MPLS. The albums are currently available at all major retailers, at live shows, and everywhere on the web. All three records have received several rave reviews from different media outlets including a 4-star review from Paste Magazine and AltCountry.com and a best of 2010 local selection in the City Pages.
The new record is in the can and will release in the Spring of 2022.
Nick Hensley has maintained a full schedule since 1999 playing more than 200 shows a year throughout the US and overseas. He has shared the stage with several National acts including The Why Store, Alex Ligertwood of Santana, Fastball, Big Head Todd and The Monsters, The Gear Daddies, The Samples, Low, Semisonic, Trampled By Turtles, The Wallflowers, Soul Asylum, Colin Hay and many more.
Hensley is also a booking agent and an avid supporter of local MN music. In turn, he has created some of Minnesota’s most popular Songwriter Showcases including MNaked and the MN Songwriter Showcase, which is held every Sunday at Plums in St. Paul and every Wed at The Aster Cafe in NE MPLS.
LSFAM CONTACT: For booking contact Nicholas at Aging Super Hero Productions. Owner/Tech/Agent. PHONE: 612-245-8269. EMAIL: angrymen@comcast.net at WEB: www.lovesongsforangrymen.com
angrymen@comcast.net. LSFAM VIDEOS:
SCARS: https://youtu.be/fPFTAULpIck
BELL JAR and SOMEWHERE ALABAMA
LIVE AT MMI: https://youtu.be/Olb96HIhmFY
THE MN SONGWRITER SHOWCASE: https://www.facebook.com/MNsongwritershowcase/
MNAKED: https://www.facebook.com/MNSONGWRITERS/
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Writing my first song for a high school talent show with my best friend and then won the talent show a few years in a row.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lovesongsforangrymen.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MNsongwritershowcase?mibextid=LQQJ4d
