Nick Hardt to celebrate CD release at Duffy's

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By ALEX HAUETER / GZO

Nick Hardt wanted to release his first CD last week. He even had the stickers printed, but a problem pressing the new disc, “Cardiac Arrest,” forced him to move the album’s release back a week.

Despite the delay, Hardt said he’s happy to “roll with punches” and release “Cardiac Arrest” on Saturday. To celebrate the album hitting stores, Hardt will be performing Saturday night at Duffy’s Tavern, and he’ll be joined by some of his friends from Lincoln’s growing hip-hop scene, including the Thoughtless Poetz and the Awkwords.

Hardt has been interested in rap for as long as he can remember, but he’s only been performing for the past two years.

“I actually went to an MC Hammer concert when I was like 8 years old,” Hardt said in an interview earlier this month. “That was pretty righteous.”

In high school, Hardt began to write songs with friends, but it wasn’t until he befriended the Thoughtless Poetz two years ago that he took his work to the stage.

In those two years, Hardt has performed in clubs in Minneapolis and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and opened in Lincoln for nationally known hip-hop artist Afroman. He also has been a regular performer at the Chatterbox’s Super Dimebag Saturdays, which were held on the second Saturday of every month starting in January.

Based on attendance at Chatterbox shows, he thinks Lincoln’s hip-hop scene is becoming more popular.

“We’ve been getting really good crowds there,” he said.

Hardt began work on “Cardiac Arrest” in November 2005, writing and recording songs on an 8-track in a sound-proof closet in his basement. He produced more than 40 songs, most of which were never likely to make the album.

“A bunch were me messing around,” he said, “nothing I saw myself putting out.”

He chose 10 songs for the album, which vary in tone from party-inducing to tragic to angry.

Tracks like the opener, “Show Boats,” which introduces Hardt’s rap persona, and “Be a Punk Tonight” are lively, beat-driven tracks that cry out for a live performance in a crowded room.

“I like to play on basic, everyday emotions,” Hardt said.

He also knows how to craft thought-provoking songs that demonstrate an awareness beyond any dance club. For example, “Psycho” is a haunting account of the anger that follows an unsuccessful relationship, and “That’s Life” uses a gentle acoustic guitar melody as part of a story about two sisters affected by drug abuse.

“I get inspired by the newspaper,” he said. That was most apparent in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, when Hardt donated the proceeds from one of his shows to relief efforts.

Saturday night, though, is Hardt’s party, and he said he hopes having a CD will help him further establish his identity in Lincoln’s hip-hop scene.

“Once I get the album out, it’ll be like having an office,” he said.

He also promised not to disappoint the Duffy’s crowd.

“I just try to give as much of myself as possible because I put myself into my songs.”

After a short pause, he jokingly added, “And I get the party started.”

Reach Alex Haueter at 473-7254 or at ahaueter@journalstar.com.