Reno’s Pop Rock Wonder: Nick Eng

Photo by Sam Ray-Johnson.

If you’ve browsed the selection of Reno concerts over the years, you’ve probably seen Nick Eng’s name on the roster. He’s been performing since he was 19 and playing with a full band for the past four years, and has an impressive resume of world touring, critical acclaim for his albums and over 100,000 streams on Spotify. His latest single, ‘Forget About You,’ has garnered 25,000 streams – and he’s not slowing down anytime soon. Music is his full-time job, and the wealth of experience is obvious in his stage presence. A polished musician, Eng’s tracklist for the cozy evening at Shim’s Surplus Speakeasy included renditions of Beatles songs, the best cover of Weezer’s ‘Island In The Sun’ that I’ve ever heard and of course, originals, some of which haven’t been released yet. 

It was a small show that Thursday night, but certainly not lacking in charm and whimsy. Some of my favorite Reno shows are the tiny, intimate ones, ones where you can get front-and-center treatment. People floated in and out throughout the event, but it was nice to get some rare one-on-one with an artist for a change. I was nervous about the acoustics in Shim’s but I was pleasantly surprised at the sound quality. Not to mention, Eng’s vocals are just as good live as they are recorded, the mark of a quality performer. Complete with vintage decor reminiscent of the 1920s, Shim’s may become one of my new top Reno music venues. 

Like most of the local musicians I’ve interviewed, Eng has that down-to-earth Western humility that is characteristic of the Reno scene. Friendly and easy to approach, I could have conversed with him for hours. There’s so much that goes into the creation of music that doesn’t get talked about, such as the painstaking nature of songwriting, harsh self criticism and desire to evolve while maintaining a brand.

“I don’t like making music, I like having made music – the process is horrible,” Eng said. “Sometimes a really good one falls into your lap, it’s not like that most of the time… but at the end of the day, I’m really glad I don’t have to wake up and do a desk job or a second job. There’s something to be said for that.” 

Eng’s signature style is the perfect mixture of throwback pop rock of the 1960s and present-day indie. He’s been called the “Paul McCartney of Reno,” and despite the heavy lyrics most of his original pieces carry, his sound overall is upbeat, happy-go-lucky and energetic. There’s something about the juxtaposition of packaging difficult themes in an easy-to-digest format that I find heartwarming and relatable. From breakups and heartbreak to people changing over time, having to walk away from someone, to rejection, Eng’s tracks are surprisingly good at helping life seem a little less hard, and like you’re not alone in your struggles. That’s the best type of local music in my opinion – the ones that ease the pain of things that are inevitable and an essential component of life. It provides a soft catharsis for space to be held, and to go through the motions of healing unafraid. 

Eng says that while he found a lot of success with his first and second albums, he says he wants to keep improving and expanding his art as he works on a third. 

“I’ve always had a little bit of resentment… All these communities really liked the first one and ate it up, [and] I’m glad, when the second one came out it didn’t land with some of the same people,” Eng said. “Now with the third one I’m like, ‘I’m gonna show you!’ There’s always been a chip on my shoulder that I didn’t give you more of the same.” 

Eng says he’s been pretty lucky though with his career and is grateful for the opportunities he’s had. He said the Reno community is a hard-working and supportive one, and that while the city’s population continues to increase and more businesses open, musicians should remain cognizant and open to changes, especially with Reno concert venues. 

“[It’s a] double-edged sword, as a city grows and as a city gets gentrified, especially as a musician you’re given a lot more opportunity… be aware of the social implications of being in a growing city and working in that industry where people’s way of living can be affected too,” Eng said. “It’s easy to stagnate yourself… Getting out of the comfort zone, it’s really easy to get complacent when you have steady work. Keep pushing.”

Eng’s advice to other up-and-coming Reno musicians were to expose yourself to all kinds of music, even if it’s outside of your tastes. 

“It’s like eating a balanced diet… I think it’s really good for artists because then you’re well-rounded,” Eng said. “Listen to everything across the board… it doesn’t mean you have to abandon your core musical DNA… you don’t have to like all of it, but then you can at least say that you know it.” 

Eng’s next adventures on his checklist include a solo tour up north along the Pacific Northwest, a solo trip to Los Angeles and of course, releasing more music. I was glad I got to experience a one-on-one concert with him, and it’s a unique memory from unique local live music. Out of all the shows in Reno I’ve covered, I’ll carry this one with me for a while. It always feels good to walk out of a concert feeling like you’ve made a new friend, and this humble, witty, talented pop rocker is one to keep an eye on in the future. Even to his fans, Eng remains modest: 

“Thanks for putting up with me when I was insufferable on my Instagram stories during COVID,” Eng said. “Thank you for your patience.” 

To listen to Nick Eng, visit his Spotify profile here.