Introduce yourself… (Where are you from, what band do you play in etc..)

My name is Nic Power and I am in Palmetto. I'm also starting to record and put out music under my own name.

Why do you play music?

I’ve wondered that many times. I think if I was asked point-blank and didn’t have time to reflect and write about it my answer would depend on my mood. Sometimes its the best thing in the world. Other times i’ve wondered if subconsciously I do it to somehow prolong growing up. I think the truth is that I have a really deep connection with music that I can’t really explain. It permeates through everything I do in some way or another.

What was a major influence on you as an Artist/Band?

Between the 6 members of Palmetto, I think our influences are vast and in some cases probably pretty different from member to member but the one thing I think that all of us really like is music from the 60s and 70s. Our parent’s generation. In my case, growing up my dad had the most unbelievable record collection... I mean it was staggering. He is a real collector like he had stuff he didn’t even like or intend to listen to, but I guess felt his collection wouldn't be complete without or whatever. I had a reputation for not being careful with stuff as a kid so they were off-limits to me unless my dad was there but Mark (Palmetto frontman) and I used to sneak down and listen to a bunch of old records and discover stuff we had never heard of. Those albums/times were a huge influence on me.

What's your ideal festival line-up?

The ideal festival line up...that’s really tough, particularly for me because I've never liked festivals...I don’t know. I would’ve loved to see The Band. I guess maybe id just copy-paste the line up for the last waltz (less a few undesirables perhaps) because you can’t really beat that.

Do you prefer the recording process or performing live?

Recording is new to me and therefore exciting. I’m learning more every day and the more I learn the more I need to know so at the moment id have to say the recording process is much more exciting for me but that could definitely change.

What would be a dream collaboration?

I’d love to work with Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields. I’ve always been blown away by his songwriting, but also by his recording techniques. He does incredible things in the studio and id love to hang out and pick his brain.

Describe a favourite album.

I guess to back up my last answer id have to go with The Magnetic Fields album Distortion. It’s called distortion because it was recorded with acoustic instruments ( i think a cello, violin guitar, and bass maybe?) but he processed everything so much that it sounds like an electronic album. If I didn’t know the band and read the description I just gave I would probably say "that sounds awful" but just check it out it’s amazing I swear.

What's your favourite local haunt?

Definitely Lesco. I don’t go out a lot but when I do it’s usually to Lesco.

What's your strangest experience while performing live?

One time when Mark and i were in a cover band in our early twenties were playing at a bar when a huge brawl broke out in the middle of the song. We kept playing. The bartender was really mad at us after. We didn’t know but you’re supposed to stop playing if there’s a huge fight. That was strange.

What are some of your favourite aspects of being a musician in Montreal?

The best part of being a musician in Montreal.... I don’t know there are so many musicians here its always easy to find people to play with. Lots of like-minded people to hang out with and bounce ideas off of.

If you weren’t playing music in Montreal where would you be?

If I wasn’t playing music in Montrreal I would be in the country. I would be playing music the country

Any sage advice for young musicians?

Sage advice for young musicians...work hard. Find people who are doing what you want to do and ask them questions. Go to their shows. Always be playing/recording/practicing. And if you/re ever playing a show and a big fight breaks out, the venue probably wants you to stop playing.