Review Fix Exclusive: Nic Nassuet Talks ‘Eleutherios’

Review Fix chats with singer/songwriter Nic Nassuet, who discusses his new album, “Eleutherios.”

Combining poetic lyrics and solid and deep musicianship thanks to a slew of solid musicians behind him, Nassuet is able to put a definable face on the Gothic Rock genre for anyone who either had no idea what it was or had prior predispositions.

Eerily charming, soft and silky, yet powerful and dark, Nassuet’s work would fit in perfectly in a video game the likes of “Castlevania” or “Silent Hill.”

Review Fix: What is Gothic Rock?

Nic Nassuet: I don’t think in terms of genre, so this is a difficult question for me to answer.  Rock is pretty well defined, and the gothic aesthetic is also pretty well defined, so I suppose that Gothic Rock would be rock with gothic themes and tonal qualities that evoke images of the gothic aesthetic.

Review Fix: What inspires you?

Nassuet: I wish I knew so that I could tap into it at will!  As it stands, I sort of flip a switch inside and make myself receptive to whatever comes into my thoughts.  I don’t try, and the harder I try, the worse the song sounds, so I just let it be.  Whatever sounds, images, and lyrics come into my head end up on paper or sung into a recorder, and the music grows out of that.

Review Fix: What makes this album special?

Nassuet: Many things make it special to me.  We had a miscarriage back in 2013.  Prior to that, I had been working as a professional actor in Hollywood.  I was really unhappy as an actor playing stereotypes in order to pay the rent.  After our child died I asked myself what it really is that I always wanted to do, what is it that makes me truly happy, and what is it that allows me to really connect with others… the answer was “music.”  So I tapped into that part of my mind that answered “music” and gave it full permission to hear, write, record, and perform music.  This album was the result.

Since then we have won several awards, played the major venues on Sunset Strip, and reached out to many people who resonate with our sound.

It is also special because it isn’t like anything else that you are likely to hear.  It was not created with intention, or according to a formula.  It is natural, and organic, and free flowing from my subconscious to your ears, without a filter.

Review Fix: How does your background in theatre help you?

Nassuet: Getting over nerves, for one.  You can’t be an actor and worry about rejection, or what an audience will think.  There’s a real strength and warrior spirit to the performing arts that those outside of the arts don’t normally acknowledge.  I think that a background in theater also helped me to learn to be punctual, work well with others under duress, and think on my feet.

It also helped me learn how to apply stage makeup, which we use often.

Review Fix: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?

Nassuet: When asked, I usually mutter something about folk, gothic, acoustic rock and end up with saying “It’s weird, you really have to hear it in order to understand.” Haha.  Given the bewildered looks I get when I stammer like that, I should probably come up with a canned response.

Review Fix: The addition of a female backup vocalist and violinist adds another layer to the gothic sound. Have you thought of adding other instruments to the mix as well?

Nassuet: Absolutely.  I have my eye on some Eastern instruments that I really want to make music with.  I plan to pick up a couple of traditional Indian, Chinese, and Mongolian stringed instruments to see what comes out.

Review Fix: What song on this album do you think best encapsulates your message?

I don’t know that I have a message, but I am sure that my subconscious is communicating something through this music.  The album as a whole tells a story when listened to from start to finish, much like an opera.  If there was one song that I though really captured the essence of the album, it would probably be “When It Falls,” as it represents a sort of transition point in the album.  From there the songs get slower and descend into a lullaby until “Black Dress” crescendos.

Review Fix: How do you want this album to be remembered?

Nassuet: As something real, and original, that touched the people who needed to hear it.

Review Fix: What’s next?

Nassuet: We’ve got some great shows coming up at the Dresden, and the Viper Room.  We’re also heading out to Nashville to meet with tour promoters to see if we can’t get something going on a bigger scale.  Definitely going to work as much as possible with the great folks over at the Indie Music Channel, and at XRP Radio.  I haven’t said anything to anyone about this yet, but I’ve got some studio time lined up with Josh Riccio at Sing Engine Records and I hope to record some old horror punk cover songs as part of a Glenn Danzig tribute EP in singer-songwriter style with just an acoustic guitar and voice.  I think that will bring out some elements of the songs that haven’t been heard before.