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Micah Nelson

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Micah Nelson
BornApril 25, 1990
Austin, TX
Genrespsychedelia, experimental folk-rock
Occupation(s)Musician, singer, songwriter, producer, artist, painter, activist
Instrument(s)vocals, guitar, piano, pedal steel, harmonica, lap steel guitar, mellotron, percussion, drums, surdo, charango, bass, cello, synthesizer
Years active1993–present
Websitewww.particlekid.com

Jacob Micah Nelson is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and multimedia artist. He performs and records under the name Particle Kid and has released four albums under that moniker; he was also a longtime member of the band Insects vs Robots. The youngest son of Willie Nelson and his wife Annie D'Angelo, and the brother of Lukas Nelson, Micah Nelson also works with his father as co-writer and producer and has appeared on Willie Nelson albums.[1] He has served as the guitarist with Neil Young and Crazy Horse and is a founder with Young of The Chrome Hearts.

Early life and education

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Nelson has led a musical life since early childhood. He has recalled playing harmonica in Willie Nelson's band at the age of three. He considers his father a major influence, and has also cited Beck as an early musical inspiration.[2]

Willie Nelson gave Micah the nickname "Particle Kid" when Micah was 14. Micah believes it was a garbled stoner attempt to say "prodigal son." The nickname stuck and Micah went on to use it as a stage and band name in future years.[2]

Career

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Insects vs Robots

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From 2008 to 2017 Nelson was a member of the band Insects vs Robots, which released three albums and an EP. From 2009 to 2010 he lived with the band at The Cozy Castle, a blue warehouse building converted to a venue and recording studio in Los Angeles, recording and performing as part of an underground creative community based there.[3] The title of the band's 2011 album "Tales from the Blue House" reflected the color of the Cozy Castle building.

Music: 2010s

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During the later 2010s Nelson toured extensively as Particle Kid with former Insects vs Robots bandmates Tony Peluso and Jeff Smith. He also toured with Neil Young, The Flaming Lips,[4] The Claypool Lennon Delirium, and Promise of the Real with his brother Lukas Nelson.[5]

In 2012 Nelson released on the Teaching Machine label the Particle Kid EP Shapes, recorded in a solar-powered yellow recording-studio van he named "Vincent Van Gogh."[6]

On September 27, 2014, Nelson performed with Neil Young and Promise of the Real at the "Harvest the Hope" concert in Nebraska opposing the proposed Keystone XL pipeline.[7]

In 2019 Nelson released the Particle Kid album Window Rock.[8] Premier Guitar named it one of the best albums of the year.[9]

Since 2016 Nelson has maintained a close relationship with Hen House Studios (also a record label) in Venice, California and its owner Harlan Steinberger. He has recorded various Particle Kid projects there over the years[10] including Window Rock, Time Capsule, his self-titled album, and Particle War, his collaborative album with Sunny War,[11] and made Particle Kid and Insects vs Robots videos there.[12][13]

Music: 2020s

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In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nelson released the Particle Kid album Live! Underground and worked on an animation project with Neil Young called "Trans: The Animated Story."[14]

Nelson performed on the studio recording of the Flaming Lips single “Will You Return/When You Come Down“ from their 2020 album American Head and performed it live with them on Jimmy Kimmel's show the following year.[15] Later in the year he opened for and sat in with the band on their fall tour.[16][17]

In 2021 Nelson and Sean Lennon released the single "Velocirapture (The Serpent Flew)."[18]

On April 22, 2022, Nelson released his fourth album as Particle Kid, the double-LP Time Capsule. Critics described it as "avant-folk"[2] and "trippy Americana...a decade-spanning image of American spacetime troubadour music."[19] It includes collaborations with J Mascis, Sean Lennon, Willie Nelson, Jim James of My Morning Jacket and others.[20] That spring Particle Kid toured as the opening act for The Flaming Lips.[21]

2020s Collaborations (Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Arcade Fire etc.)

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In June 2022 Nelson and his father released a collaborative single, "Die When I'm High (Halfway to Heaven)," a tribute to the elder Nelson.[22] The two toured together with the Outlaw Music Festival that year.[23]

In spring 2023 Nelson collaborated with Margo Price on a cover of Willie Nelson's "Hands on the Wheel" as part of Willie Nelson's 90th-birthday celebrations.[24]

In 2024 he joined Neil Young and Crazy Horse for their "Love Earth" summer tour, replacing Nils Lofgren on guitar.[25] In 2024 he also formed a new band with Neil Young called The Chrome Hearts.[26] Nelson contributed animation to the 2024 Neil Young film Coastal.[27]

Also in 2024 he produced Willie Nelson's album Last Leaf on the Tree[28] and was featured on the Arcade Fire track "Year of the Snake." In 2025 he performed with Arcade Fire at the Luck Reunion Festival.[29]

Multimedia

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In 2011 Nelson and artist/VJ David Wexler (aka Strangeloop) formed the "avant-cinephile" audiovisual collective Teaching Machine and proceeded to collaborate on experimental projects including the animated short film "Anamnesia."[30]

In the early 2010s Nelson experimented with the "cymatics" technique of performing live music through water held in a speaker cone, and visually projecting the emerging surface patterns.[31][32]

Nelson's visual artwork is featured and sold at the Moonlight Arts Collective.[33][34]

Through his Spitball Pictures production studio Nelson produces and in some cases directs music videos and films for artists such as Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, Neil Young, Sunny War, Folk Uke, Anthony LoGerfo of Promise of the Real, and Tinariwen as well as Nelson's own musical projects.[35] He does animation work such as creating the character animation for the 2016 "Blast" video from Clams Casino.[36]

Activism

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Nelson has served on the board of directors of the National Hemp Association. He participates in Farm Aid events and music festivals. He championed a Change.org petition that helped enact the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2018.[34][37]

Personal life

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Nelson married Alexandra Dascalu (now Alexandra Dascalu-Nelson)[38] in 2019.[39]

Discography

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Albums and EPs

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Title Artist Year Label Producer
Geryl & The Great Homunculus Insects vs Robots 2010
GWALCHMAi (live in Austin...) (EP)[40] Particle Kid 2011
Aftertaste (EP)[41] Particle Kid 2012
Attics (EP)[42] Particle Kid 2012
Shapes (EP) Particle Kid 2012 Teaching Machine Micah Nelson
Tales from the Blue House Insects vs Robots 2013 Dome of Doom Records
Insects vs Robots Insects vs Robots 2013 Dome of Doom Records
Toe Tappers (Songs for a Mediocre Depression (EP)[43] Particle Kid 2013
Hollows (EP)[44] Particle Kid 2014
Soundtrack to a Non-existent Film (EP)[45] Particle Kid 2014
Demo-itis Particle Kid 2014
Stupid Dreams (EP) Insects vs Robots 2016
Theyllkillyaa[46] Insects vs Robots 2016 Hen House Studios
Particle Kid Particle Kid 2017
Everything Is Bullshit[47] Particle Kid 2017 Gnarburger Records
Particle War[48] Sunny War & Particle Kid 2018
Window Rock Particle Kid 2019 Overseas Artists Recordings (OAR)/Hen House Micah Nelson
Live! Underground Particle Kid 2020
Time Capsule Particle Kid 2022 Overseas Artists Recordings (OAR)/Hen House Micah Nelson
Super Bloom: A Benefit for Los Angeles Fire Relief Various Artists 2025

Singles as artist

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Title Artist Year Label Producer
"Die When I'm High (Halfway to Heaven)" Micah Nelson and Willie Nelson 2022
"Someone Else's Dream"[21] Particle Kid, J Mascis, Sunny War 2022
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Title Artist Year Label Producer
"Year of the Snake" Arcade Fire 2024
"Hands on the Wheel" Margo Price 2022

References

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  1. ^ Tina Benitez-Eves (August 21, 2024). "Willie Nelson Conceived Youngest Son Micah's Moniker, Particle Kid, Then Recorded Two Songs With Him". American Songwriter. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c Ed Condran (April 28, 2022). "Micah Nelson, the 31-year-old son of Willie: 'I'm proud to be the Particle Kid'". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  3. ^ Nate Jackson (November 10, 2010). "Inside the Cozy Castle: A secret warehouse space mixes music and performance". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  4. ^ Andrew Travers (February 28, 2019). "Review: Particle Kid at Belly Up Aspen". The Aspen Times. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  5. ^ Adam Perlmutter (September 5, 2019). "Micah Nelson: Tone Questing". Premier Guitar. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  6. ^ Larry Fitzmaurice (August 31, 2012). ""Mosquito"". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  7. ^ "Harvest the Hope". boldalliance.org. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  8. ^ Patrick Doyle (August 28, 2019). "Micah Nelson on Particle Kid's Raw, Psychedelic New LP and How to Thrive as an Indie Rock Band in 2019". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  9. ^ "PG Editors' Best Albums of the Year 2019". Premier Guitar. December 31, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  10. ^ Doug Rapp (April 16, 2021). "Hen House Music Studio Owner Looks Back at 24-Tracks and 20 Years of Success". Westside Current. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  11. ^ Bobbie Jean Sawyer (March 28, 2018). "Song Premiere: Sunny War and Particle Kid's Beautifully Mournful 'Just Memories'". wideopencountry.com. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  12. ^ "INSECTS VS ROBOTS // THEYLLKILLYAA". youtube.com. November 2, 2017. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  13. ^ "Particle Kid — Someone Else's Dream (ft. J Mascis, Paul Bushnell & Sunny War) [Official Music Video]". youtube.com. January 11, 2022. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  14. ^ Patrick Doyle (March 19, 2020). "Micah Nelson: Crisis Could Be an 'Opportunity for Rapid Evolution'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  15. ^ Tom Breihan (April 27, 2021). "Watch The Flaming Lips Play "Will You Return / When You Come Down" With Micah Nelson On Kimmel". Stereogum. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  16. ^ "The Flaming Lips and Particle Kid in Boston (A Gallery)". Relix. November 23, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  17. ^ Skylar Watkins (November 9, 2021). "The Flaming Lips kicked off the 'American Head' tour with psychedelic displays, inflatable rainbows, glowing birds and giant robots". WXPN. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  18. ^ Brenna Ehrlich (November 9, 2021). "Micah Nelson Took His Mother's Chocolate Edible and Wrote a Song About Dinosaurs with Sean Ono Lennon". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  19. ^ Gabriel Pacheco (April 25, 2022). "Album Review: Particle Kid – Time Capsule". Live for Live Music. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  20. ^ Michael Broerman (January 13, 2022). "Micah Nelson's Particle Kid Announces New Album, 'Time Capsule', Shares Single Ft. J Mascis, More [Video]". Live for Live Music. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  21. ^ a b Mike Lesuer (January 13, 2022). "Particle Kid Teams Up with J Mascis and Sunny War on New Track "Someone Else's Dream"". Flood Magazine. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  22. ^ Jon Freeman (June 16, 2022). "Willie Nelson Joins His Son Micah on Particle Kid's 'Die When I'm High (Halfway to Heaven)'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  23. ^ A.J. Herrington (June 16, 2022). "Willie Nelson And Son Particle Kid Release New Marijuana Anthem". Forbes. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  24. ^ Tom Breihan (April 28, 2023). "Margo Price – "Hands On The Wheel" (Willie Nelson Cover Feat. Particle Kid)". Stereogum. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  25. ^ Andy Greene (March 19, 2024). "Micah Nelson on Joining Neil Young and Crazy Horse: 'I've Been Rehearsing for This My Whole Life'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  26. ^ Andrew Sacher (January 17, 2025). "Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts declare "big change is coming" on grungy new anthem". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  27. ^ Aer (March 19, 2024). "Film Review of the Moment: Neil Young: Coastal". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  28. ^ Sabrina Macias (October 25, 2024). "Willie Nelson's Youngest Son Micah Shares Insights About Producing His Father's 153rd Album". tribeza.com. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  29. ^ Lorie Hollabaugh (March 18, 2025). "Luck Reunion Wraps Another Music-Packed Year". musicrow.com. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  30. ^ Abdullah Saeed (May 16, 2012). "Work In Progress: Anamnesia, An Animated Film By Producer Strangeloop". Vice. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  31. ^ "Micah Nelson ~ "Enter The Voice" CYMATICS". deviantart.com. May 10, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  32. ^ "Cymatic Painting 9 By J-Micah-Nelson". deviantart.com. May 26, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  33. ^ "Micah Nelson". moonlightartscollective.com. May 26, 2011. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  34. ^ a b "Particle Kid returns to The Old Steeple stage". times-standard.com. August 29, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  35. ^ "Spitball Pictures". particlekid.com. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  36. ^ "Clams Casino - Blast (Video)". youtube.com. May 19, 2016. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  37. ^ "Micah Nelson: Harvesting Harmony, Healing and Hope for American Farmers with Hemp". thecannabisreporter.com. September 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  38. ^ Monica Hooper (June 25, 2023). "Micah Nelson enjoying life on the road with superstar dad Willie". arkansasonline.com. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  39. ^ Emily Krauser (December 26, 2024). "Willie Nelson's 8 Children: All About His Sons and Daughters". People. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  40. ^ "Particle Kid ~ GWALCHMAi ~ (live in Austin...)". sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  41. ^ "Particle Kid - Aftertaste EP (2012)". musicmeter.nl. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  42. ^ "Particle Kid - Attics EP (2012)". musicmeter.nl. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  43. ^ "TOE-TAPPERS: Songs For A Mediocre Depression". particlekid.bandcamp.com. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  44. ^ "Particle Kid Hollows". sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  45. ^ "Soundtrack to a Non-existent Film". particlekid.bandcamp.com. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  46. ^ Greg Beets (December 23, 2016). "Insects vs. Robots on Joining Neil Young and Crazy Horse: 'I've Been Rehearsing for This My Whole Life'". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  47. ^ "Everything Is Bullshit". particlekid.bandcamp.com. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  48. ^ "Particle War". iheart.com. April 20, 2018. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
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