Nico Torre is a multi-instrumentalist based out of Portland, OR. Inspired by high-energy rock n’ roll at an early age, Torre acquired his first electric guitar at 10-years old. Self-taught and consistently driven to create, he has written and recorded for multiple bands over the past decade. He is currently focusing on three fundamentally different projects: Fluid Druid (psych rock), Koalra (Post-Punk revival), and Dusted (experimental/krautrock). Most recently, Fluid Druid has released a new 2-song EP entitled “Love Corner” and is currently working on their first full-length album: “An Afternoon in the Wizard’s Tower.” Koalra released a full-length album earlier this year (Nihilism and Analog Tape), and is scheduled to release a new album “DISASTERCLASS” later this year, which has taken a turn from their usual Post-punk revival roots and ventured into something more layered and aggressive. Dusted, the newest of the three projects, is a two piece Krautrock project filled with frantic motorik beats, steady bass lines, and experimental soundscapes.
Nico’s guitars:
Guild Starfire II: primary bass. Super warm, and what a beautiful piece of work. I acquired it right before Yamaha purchased Guild Guitars
Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster: I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with this guitar. I sold my old MIM Jazzmaster when I decided it was time to upgrade. I’ve modified it with a custom alien-themed hardware set from Indra-Guitars. The bridge pickup is nice and hot and there’s a richness to the tone that is so nice. That being said… I miss my MIM Jazzmaster.
Fender Stratocaster (Ed O’Brien signature): an absolute sleeper. Mini humbucker in the bridge, Texas Special in the middle position, and a sustainer pickup in the neck. Probably my go-to for recording leads.
Italia Rimini 12-string: flashy, incredible tone, and a fraction of the cost of a Rickenbacker. I would recommend one of these to anybody in the market for a 12-string. And… I mean… just look at it!
Rogue Electric Sitar: Danelectro started making these in the ‘60’s. Then, I think it was the early millennium that Rogue started manufacturing them for a short while before Danelectro began putting them back into production. Fun, sounds good in the studio, but it’s a bit quiet. I’ve been debating whether or not to start modding it. Maybe rewire it and swap the pickups for something with a little higher output. Fun little tool for the studio, though.
Squier Bass VI: what an instrument! I’ve wanted one of these for years and finally found one at the right time. Super punchy, comfortable, and versatile.
What was your first guitar and do you still have it?
Oh, god. I had a knockoff strat in salmon pink. It was hideous. It sounded like shit. It played like shit. It was awful. It turned me off of Strats for a really long time. It wasn’t until I was at Hallowed Halls Recording Studio that I picked one up again (nearly 15 years later) and fell in love with what a strat should feel, play and sound like.
What's your favorite guitar right now and why?
It really depends on the day and what I want to play. I wouldn’t want to tear up lead riffs on my Rogue sitar, but when I want that sitar riff, it’s my favorite. Every single piece I have is my favorite because they’re all so functionally and tonally different. However, lately when I’m writing, I’ve been gravitating toward the Jazzmaster.
What's your newest purchase?
My newest guitar is my Squier Bass VI. I’d heard mixed reviews, but I love it. My primary bass is my Starfire II. It’s nice and warm, so when I want to fatten up bass tracks while recording, I’ll typically double up and get a nice punchy tone underneath the Guild.
How often do you play?
EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
What's the music you are creating, what's the mission behind it?
I’ve spent a lot of time trying to shove myself into a mold that is marketable and palatable 4/4 time signatures and poppy hooks. Lately, I’ve been stepping outside of that box. I’ve been focusing on creating sounds I haven’t used before. I’ve found my playing and writing styles have been evolving through experimentation and I’m so so SO excited to share my current projects’ upcoming releases.
