Community Picks is a weekly series where artists submit a release to be voted on by members of the Nina community. Once a week, the release with the most votes will receive editorial coverage. This week’s winner is “Not th thinker 2 (demo)” by $quib, which is a folky bedroom electronica tune, both loose and personal. We sent over some questions to Brock Bierly—follow them on X here and here—read the interview and listen to the “Not th thinker 2 (demo)” below.

Where are you from?

$quib: I'm from North Jersey.

How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it? 

It’s maybe a negotiation between fussiness ‘n recklessness ... Wonky pop music.

Tell us about your release on Nina.

This is a song made on iPad GarageBand, dance version of a piano ballad (hence the "2"), I am shy, so it’s a demo, but I might keep it the same.

What kind of tools do you use to make music?

I use Logic, Ableton, handful of iOS apps (Koala, Electribe, GarageBand, etc.) and also non-electronic instruments: drum, guitar, piano.

Who are five independent artists you think people should check out?

slone.xm. Ultimate stank face music. Tied with fdsdf for best drum programming. AK iOS / 72k risk. Has bars and edits his vox so creatively. Insane range, too. Bryce Hayash. Makes life music. Inspiring & mindblowing. Fdsdf. Ambient king and dance music king. Tied with slone.xm for best drum programming.