Sad news about Nikki Sudden’s passing on Saturday. I came across an excellent history and interview with him just the other day. He was a busy guy, in the midst of writing an autobiography, touring, and recording a new album at the time of his death.

I was fortunate enough to see him play last summer at Athfest. He was on the second stage and only played a six song set but I was really impressed. He even played a song from his old Swell Maps days, “Midget Submarine.” I remember he gave a nonchalant intro for “Countess,” saying you meet all kinds of interesting people when you travel the world and have a career like his.

Emusic has a wealth of Nikki Sudden available. Topping the list of recommendations is the classic Swell Maps album, A Trip To Marineville. His solo material is quite different than the Maps’ art punk, more like Dylan meets the Stones. Disc one of The Last Bandit provides a good overview of that work. And his band with brother Epic Soundtracks (who was also in Swell Maps) and Dave Kusworth, The Jacobites, is worth checking out too. Robespierre’s Velvet Basement in particular is excellent.

You can also grab a bunch of stuff for free at the Secret Canadian mp3 page. That label has reissued a pretty big chunk of his catalog in recent years, including The Jacobites and Swell Maps.

So have yourself a Nikki Sudden fest in tribute to this legendary but underappreciated icon. He’s left behind some truly wonderful music.