Press

Full January 2020 edition of The New York City Jazz Record which listed Every Day is a Bad Hair Day as a Best Debut of 2019

 

On Nicky Barbato Project/Every Day is a Bad Hair Day

  

- Music fans will certainly get something a little different with Every Day is a Bad Hair Day and instrumental guitar fans are sure to revel in Barbato’s considerable chops...The opening track “Blues Chip” mixes surf rock and jazz with some wild guitar progressions and a driving back beat. Barbato’s fret work is really quite amazing. Crazy cacophonic builds and chopped up structures give “50 Dollar Chevy” a hint of the avant-garde. The jerky rhythms slide into blues rock territory... “Au Pair” takes on a ‘60s film vibe with added violin giving off a cinematic flair...The cinematic approach returns in “Wife of a Secret Agent” having the band ease off the gas pedal, really quite pretty in its own unique way." - Sea of Tranquility

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- "hard driving NYC style guitar noir that mixes in all sort of guitar styles like surf, jazz and soundtrack instrumentals...great guitarists of today like current NYC favorites such as the Supertones’ guitar ace Tim Sullivan and also Bill Frisell creeps into the mix too. Even with so many eclectic sounds, Every Day Is A Bad Hair Day is modern day album essential for adventurous guitar fans." - Roots Music Report

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- "Nicky's vision cuts through surf rock, jazz, '70s prog rock, funk and rockabilly--and that's just in the first song and a half...This album takes a couple of steps further into pure goodness, however, by Barbato's incredibly dry song intros, delivered with that same ironic flatness that makes me think again of Jonathan Richman...Nicky Barbato Project has one major strength, besides Barbato's ability to really shred on guitar...the mix between Barbato's original, evocative and often hilarious arrangements are juxtaposed against some intriguing cover choices." - The Vinyl Anachronist  

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- "Nicky Barbato’s record, Every Day is a Bad Hair Day, is a breathtaking, adventurous and hilarious peep into the mind of a guitar music madman! Elements of all my favorite music is in there which adds up to a very New York album in style and substance. There is a decidedly bipolar (or even quad polar) element to a lot of the arrangements which flip back and forth between carnival and country feelings and middle eastern or Bollywood tinges.... but together it’s still NYC jazz guitar at its finest! One thing’s for sure Nicky is an accomplished guitarist and composer and anyone who hears this will be waiting for the next one." - Teddy Kumpel  

  

- "wild polka(s)...spacious and impressionistic...clear and sparkling guitar...Focusing on moods and dreams" - George W. Harris 

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- "Jazzbos with a pomo edge that never met a mash up opportunity they couldn't pass up, [the Nicky Barbato Project has] a special gift for taking things to their logical extreme and then inserting a whiplash left turn...A must for kids that understand power trio and want to expand their horizons." - Midwest Record 

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- "Every Day is a Bad Hair Day is produced by saxophone legend/hero/extraordinaire Jon Irabagon in a very creative and wild-fun production-way. "50 Dollar Chevy"...grabs and hits in astonishing ways...This is just great surprising music! - The Groningen Report 

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- "Wild and wooely....Wide ranging tones and attitudes....A free from tribute to Kurt Vonnegut creates sparks on '50 Dollar Chevy' and the drums hit hard before Barbato skates along a pretty take of The Beatles’ 'Norwegian Wood.' A clever take of ABBA’s 'Dancing Queen' is hip and snappy..." - Jazz Weekly

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Interviews

Nicky Barbato Secret Famous Podcast Interview

Chris Anderson, Nicky Barbato, Tony Mason. Photo by Jackson Hoffman