Nick Castro
Encyclopedia
Nick Castro is a folk
, psych folk
, traditional
and experimental
musician and member of the Young Elders.
Nick Castro has had three periods now of his brand of acoustic-based musics. Firstly as a solo artist, then with recording ensemble The Poison Tree and currently with touring band The Young Elders. He has toured internationally and recorded with many of young folk bands which have emerged in the last decades.
Castro has toured, played and collaborated with Feathers
and many others.
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
, psych folk
Psych folk
Psychedelic folk or psych folk is a loosely defined form of psychedelic music that originated in the 1960s through the fusion of folk music and psychedelic rock...
, traditional
Traditional music
Traditional music is the term increasingly used for folk music that is not contemporary folk music. More on this is at the terminology section of the World music article...
and experimental
Experimental music
Experimental music refers, in the English-language literature, to a compositional tradition which arose in the mid-20th century, applied particularly in North America to music composed in such a way that its outcome is unforeseeable. Its most famous and influential exponent was John Cage...
musician and member of the Young Elders.
Overview
Nick Castro was raised in San Diego, CA. His musical training started early although much of his accomplishment was self taught. His musical influences were varied. With an extended family of music lovers, Castro was exposed to many genres. Of note, Castro studied under Ilana Mysor who also taught the protege George Romero. Castro, with the help of associates and co-conspirators, evaded formal education until the forces of evil finally caught up with him and landed him in the sixth grade. Fortunately for Castro, by that time, the Cell he was raised in managed to instill in him a sense of dignity and self worth that no public education could eradicate, however much they tried. A brief stint, measured in hours, through a Catholic school convinced Castro that in this world, he and the beautiful long hair he had at the time, were truly on their own. Nick was born Nicholas J. Castro. He was named after the last Czar of Russia and Nick received broad education in Russian history with an emphasis on the Romanov dynasty and the subsequent Bolshevik Revolution. As a young man, Castro was especially fascinated by the Russian religious figure Rasputin and his legendary escapes from death and his mystical sway over and seduction of the women of the royal court. A voracious reader, his life and music were influenced by Bukowsk, Sartre and the Existentialist movement. Rejecting society's mores, Castro embarked on a search for his own meaning. That journey continues, destination unknown.Nick Castro has had three periods now of his brand of acoustic-based musics. Firstly as a solo artist, then with recording ensemble The Poison Tree and currently with touring band The Young Elders. He has toured internationally and recorded with many of young folk bands which have emerged in the last decades.
Castro has toured, played and collaborated with Feathers
Feathers (band)
Feathers is a four piece band from Brisbane, Australia consisting of Michelle Brown, Helena Papageorgiou, Innez Tulloch and Susan Milanovic.They create dark reverb laden psychedelic dream pop with a sixties garage edge....
and many others.
Albums and EPs
| Year | Title | Format, Special Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | S/T | CD & LP |
| 2005 | Further From Grace | CD & LP |
| 2006 | Come Into Our House | CD & LP |
| 2007 | A Day Without Disaster | LP |
| 2008 | A Day Without Disaster | CD |