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Arcata, CA - based Nucleus has been steadily evolving and cultivating its own niche in the music world since its formation in 1999. Having spent years in rehearsals and on the road exploring the inner workings Jazz, Funk, Blues, Latin, and Electronica, the modern sound of Nucleus is a Rock' n 'Roll power trio with a twist. Through the use of loops and other sonic manipulations, the band sometimes sounds more like a Dub Lounge or Afrobeat Orchestra in the live setting. But it always comes back to the satisfaction and release of Rock' n' Roll, with an arsenal of solid original tunes and covers that will set any room on fire.

One of the most innovative and trailblazing bands on the up-and-coming national scene, Nucleus is no stranger to the road. Known for their relentless coast-to-coast excursions, the years of solid playing in so many places have given the band an expansive palette to fuel their musical progression.

Now settled in Northern California, the band continues to tour regularly while exploring their studio potential to its fullest. With many well known festival appearances on the horizon and a groundbreaking recently released album, The Art of Reaching," Nucleus is poised to make a lasting impression on the grassroots music scene and beyond.

Glide caught up with guitarist/singer Piet Dalmolen for a brief Q&A session

How did the band originally get started?

We all grew up in Upstate New York. We played a little bit in high school, then each found our own way to the West Coast. We started playing together again in 2000 in Arcata CA, which has been our home ever since. We have been touring nationally for five years now, sometimes focusing more on the east coast, sometimes the west coast. And after two years of being a power trio, we just added a keyboard player, B. Swizlo. (he can be heard on the new album as well as the live download)

How has the band developed as artists since then?

We have explored a lot of music since we first started out. We began with a lot of jazz and groove stuff with some vocals, some Latin and world beat, learning Police songs. Then during our two years back east I think we began to develop a sense of urgency, the energy it takes to make something worthwhile happen night after night in the strange bars of America. And a new appreciation for older rockers like the Band, Dylan, Neil Young, the Who.

How would you describe your new album?

A collection of honest tunes that is a good representation of where we are now. I also like to think that within these shorter pieces of music we cover as much ground as a twenty minute jam. Condensed for the sake of a good album listening experience. Someone in Telluride wrote, "unpretentiously polished" and I thought that was pretty interesting. We made it ourselves and I wanted it to sound good and have depth and character, but not too Steely Dan-y. In a way, its like a first album for us because we felt complete control over the whole process and had a lot of material built up from the road. It's the anchor for everything we've done up to this point. Now we can explore things more fully with that foundation in place.

Five songs currently in your iPod rotation?

"Off the Record" - My Morning Jacket- Z

"Since I left you" - the Avalanches - Since I left You

"U-Again" - Jazzanova - Mixing

Which album from history do you most wish you played?

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - Jon Brion

Most classic memory from being on the road?

Of course there's many. one classic would be Summer 2003, driving our first van across Death Valley in the middle of July, high noon. It was about 110 outside, and we already had overheating problems with the van, so we had to drive with the heat on. And it would stall out and lose power steering anytime we got below 30mph. good times. I still can't believe we made it out of there in one piece.

Most memorable on-stage moment so far?

It all blends together. I'm sure once we get in front of some big festival crowds it will really make an impact on us.

Who would you most like to open or play with?

moe.

Earliest music memory or concert experience?

The only one that matters for me - The Grateful Dead 6.22.95 Knickerbocker Arena, Albany, NY. I was almost out of high school, and had seen a few shows by then. But there was a single moment in "Terrapin Station" where the whole crowd lit up, and I saw 10,000 people having the time of their lives, and I said to myself, "this is what I'm going to do with my life." And that was it.

If you weren't playing music, what would you most likely be doing?

Recording.