What inspired you to start playing music?
My parents are responsible for my musical upbringing. Growing up I listened to all kinds of music with my family in the car and at home.
Who are some of your musical inspirations
Radiohead, of course. Cursive, Joy Division, Delta Sleep, Coheed and Cambria, Fugazi, My teachers Daxun Zhang and Joel Braun. Dimitri Shostakovich, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Jean Sibelius, Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copeland, Gustav Mahler,
What was the injury that brought you to MTF and how did the injury affect your music?
In the early stages of the COVID 19 the arthritis in my thumbs had become so painful to the point that I stopped practicing. It was a pretty depressing and isolating time of my life.
What was your experience with receiving care through MTF and your recovery afterward?
The care from MTF was the best I’ve ever experienced. I have never had a team of medical professionals so compassionate and capable of listening as well as the staff at Pinnacle Surgery Center. Previous Orthopedists and General Practitioners had very little to offer for managing my pain and navigating my diagnosis.
What’s coming up for you?
I’m moving! I got a job in Vancouver, Washington which is just north of Portland, Oregon. I’m excited to start fresh and join a new community of musicians.
Where can people find out more about you and your music?
You can find Foam Star and the Finger Lickin’ Pickers on all of the streaming platforms and my future projects will be shared on my Instagram @nicolas_contrabass.
