strymon - Strymon Office Talk: 10 Questions With Nick Casale
Nick Cassell is responsible for art and design at his company, covering everything from product artwork to digital advertising. He has recently expanded into industrial design and UI/UX. Cassell is also a guitarist, influenced by bands like Massive Attack and Seven Dust. He shares his favorite albums, including 'Ashes of the Wake' by Lamb of God and 'Sound Awake' by Carnival, which have shaped his guitar playing. Cassell discusses his favorite guitar pedals, highlighting the Deco and Compadre, and his long-time use of the Timeline delay pedal. He also mentions his current favorite, the Silk Tone Fuzz Plus. Cassell values good coffee and sleep, though he admits to not getting enough of the latter.
Key Points:
- Nick Cassell leads art and design, including product artwork and digital advertising.
- He has expanded into industrial design and UI/UX.
- Cassell's guitar influences include Massive Attack and Seven Dust.
- Favorite albums include 'Ashes of the Wake' and 'Sound Awake'.
- His go-to guitar pedals are Deco, Compadre, and Timeline.
Details:
1. 🎨 Artistic Endeavors and Music Passion
1.1. Art and Design Management
1.2. Industrial Design and UI/UX Expansion
1.3. Music Engagement and Brand Involvement
2. 🎸 Musical Inspirations and Concert Memories
- The speaker began playing the guitar at the age of 14 or 15 and humorously notes that despite many years of practice, they feel they should be more proficient given their age.
- A pivotal experience in the speaker's musical journey was attending a Massive Attack concert in 2019, during which the band performed 'Mezzanine' in its entirety for its 21st anniversary.
- The concert took place at the Palladium and was described as an incredible and perfect experience, highlighting the band's profound impact on the speaker's musical appreciation.
- Positioned right in front, the speaker's immersive experience at the concert likely influenced their musical style and preferences, reflecting the importance of live performances in shaping their artistic development.
3. 🎶 Favorite Music Albums and Influences
- The speaker has been heavily influenced by metal music to vent frustration due to the world's state, highlighting bands like Lamb of God and Seven Dust.
- Lamb of God's 'Ashes of the Wake' is the speaker's favorite metal album for its riffs and completeness, learned to play it perfectly, emphasizing its impact.
- Carnival's 'Sound Awake' is described as a perfect album, showcasing the speaker's diverse taste.
- Third Eye Blind's debut album is noted for its creative guitar work and lyrics, influencing the speaker's use of open tunings.
- Exploration into post-rock began with 'Young Mountain,' while Incubus's 'Make Yourself' sparked an interest in guitar pedals.
4. 🎬 Favorite Films and Directors
4.1. 🎬 Favorite Films
4.2. 🎬 Favorite Directors
5. 🎛️ Pedal Preferences and Gear
- The Deco pedal provides essential tape saturation and is rarely turned off, indicating its crucial role in the sound setup.
- The Compadre pedal is frequently used, alongside Deco, suggesting its importance in the overall gear configuration.
- The Timeline pedal is a 'desert island' delay pedal, demonstrating its reliability and vital role in producing desired effects.
- The Silk Tone Fuzz Plus became a favorite after being tested at an event, showing its impactful and enjoyable sound.
- Pedal preferences are dynamic and can change frequently, reflecting the evolving nature of sound experimentation and gear usage.