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Nicholas Tremulis don't know small.
An orchestra, not a band. A five-year multi-artist, benefit concert series instead of a one-off. A well-received collection of swampy, Robert Johnson inspired tunes recorded called "Napoleon", with performances playing with the likes of Los Lobos, The Neville Brothers and Steve Earle. Followed by the year-long digital download odyssey, "52 Reasons", where Nick penned and the band recorded a new tune every week for a year on internet label Reel to Reel.
Both new efforts "Pinky" and "Little Big Songs" come via Tremulis' imprint, 52 Reasons, inspired by the same.
"Pinky" is the rip-rock yang to the story-telling yin of "Little Big Songs, Nick's first solo effort. The relentless rock & roll bravado that is "Pinky" couldn't be more a polar opposite to the silent and singular fury of 'Little Big Songs". Even the ballads seem dangerous, ready to erupt at any moment.
Much of the material for "Little Big Songs" was conceived during Nick's marathon, "52 Reasons" year. "A strange thing started to happen to me about a quarter of a year into that project, I began to dream songs while I was sleeping. I've always had wild dreams, the kind that can take more energy out of you than actually being awake. Only this time, they came with melodies and chords."
And "Pinky", the balls-out, straight ahead rocker?
"I guess after making a solo record I wanted to make something you couldn't possibly play by yourself. A real rock & roll album…that's the music that made me, man. It's what lives inside of me at every moment. It's why I'm alive. My oldest friends say this is the record I've been trying to make since I was fourteen years old!"
The seed was planted when Nick headed to Austin, to play with long time friend and collaborator, Alejandro Escovedo, who at the time was writing for his forthcoming album, "Real Animal".
"Alejandro suggested we might write some things together while I was out there for a few days. He said he wanted to make a real rock & roll record and for me to make a cd of all the music that got me hooked on it when I was a kid. The early, raw meat stuff of my childhood." So, Nick and his son hit the garage and started pouring through old albums and 45's . "It was a revelation! So wild and exotic! Without knowing it we both started playing air guitar!"
Which made for the perfect outlet and companion to Little Big Songs, a collection of folktales, the musical equivalent of the book "Let Us Now Praise Famous Men" by James Agee, a book written about the small and honest lives of people living in the dustbowl during the great depression.
Says Nick, "It's so easy these days to turn a single life into a fleeting Internet headline. These songs are all written about defining moments in an individual's life. They're short, just like the action they describe. I wanted them to feel as if they were in real time. Unfolding before your eyes. Fast and short…just like life."
*Releases on Island Records, Monsterdisc Records, Black Vinyl Records, other labels.
*In the last several years The Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra have hosted the incredibly popular "Waltz" benefit shows to sold-out crowds at the 1200 capacity venue, Metro, in Chicago. www.waltzchicago.com
*The Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra frequently perform with renowned musical guests, among them have been: Keith Richards, Billy Corgan, Jeff Tweedy, Ivan Neville, Ronnie Spector, Mavis Staples, David Johansen, Marianne Faithful and many more.
*Nick hosts WXRT radio show, The Eclectic Company.
*In the works: "Road Dog Revue", an original television program written by Nicholas and featuring Nicholas, Jon Langford and known musical guests throughout the U.S. Currently being presented to several cable networks.
Check out NTO's recent appearance on WGN Morning News!
NTO with Billy Corgan and Bun E. Carlos
NTO with Rick Danko performing "The Weight".
With Rick Nielson performing "Downed".
NICHOLAS TREMULIS ORCHESTRA's Friend Space (Top 27)
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