Skip to main content

From an Eagle to Gold: An Interview With Golden Suits' Fred Nicolaus

Golden Suits is the solo project of one Fred Nicolaus, who is best known for his work in the band Department of Eagles. His debut album as Golden Suits (name lifted from a John Cheever story) was released last month. 

 His debut album is getting pretty good reviews so far. And in order to make it, he went through a lot. And, of course, read a lot of Cheever. The album itself has a poppy, melodic 1970s folk vibe to it. It's pleasant to listen to.

 Golden Suits will be playing a free show at the Sail Inn tonight @ 9 p.m. I strongly recommend going.

 I asked him a few questions via email recently. Here are his responses (some of which are fairly ... interesting; you will see what I mean). Thanks Fred!

UC: What's the reception been like for your debut album?
GS: It's been good so far - it's kind of hard to say what it's been because it's only been out a month or so.  I feel like I'll have a better answer in a year or so when I can look back fondly/resentfully on the whole thing.

UC: What made you gravitate toward John Cheever so strongly? (I'm a big fan of his work as well)
GS: Oh cool!  Nice to come across another Cheever fan.  It was a couple of things. One is his writing style...his skill at combining formal, almost stiff prose with surreal images and borderline spiritual stuff.  I also think because I grew up in California in the Bay Area, there was a kind of exotic glamour to Cheever's world - gin and tonics in Nantucket and so forth.

 UC: How does Golden Suits differ from your work in Department of Eagles?
GS: Well I think the kind of songs I wrote are sort of the same. But because Daniel (Rossen) took the lead on a lot of DOE production stuff, the final result is different. I think it's poppier and more 'straight' than DOE because that's where my instincts go.

UC: What's been the best part of  your tour so far?
GS: Two things. One was playing the songs live for the first time for friends and family in Brooklyn. Two is coming up with band nicknames. Thus far we've got 'Riffs,' 'Criminal' and 'Denim.' 

 UC: What can people expect if they see you at the Sail Inn on Friday?
GS: We've decided internally in the band that it's going to be the most outré show of the tour.  So I'm not sure I know myself...impromptu Vampire Weekend covers?  Noise jams? New nicknames? (hmmm....)

 UC: Is there anything you'd like to add?
GS: We saw a guy do heroin at the pool at a La Quinta Inn in Houston.  In Atlanta, I slept in a dog's bed because there was no more couch space. Tour is weird.

 Dog beds look comfortable. I don't blame him. Here's his Facebook page, and here's a link to more info on tonight's show.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Mon Soleil" - Ashley Park

If there's anything people take away from my piss-poor legacy, I hope it's what a huge, unabashed fan of "Emily in Paris" I am and will continue to be. People love "90 Day Fiancee," "The Bachelor," and other garbage - allow me "Emily," which is at least harmless, kind of goofy fluff (which does, unfortunately, lean into some stereotypes, as the country of Ukraine knows ). I have already watched Season 2 twice. And honestly my favorite part of this show (despite my crush on Camille Razart and Lily Collins channeling Audrey Hepburn hardcore ) is Ashley Park. This woman has superstar written all over her. She's a bona fide Broadway star, and "Emily in Paris" has served as her pivot into the zeitgeist.  "Emily in Paris" is also showcasing her vocal prowess front and center this season, with her covering BTS, "All By Myself," "Sympathtique," and Marilyn Monroe. But the real standout performance is th
Post a Comment
Read more

Appropriate Holiday Gift Ideas for the Single Lady

While some people may see it as a drag, there are plenty of benefits to being single during the holiday season. During this time of the year, there are tons of parties you can attend that you may not have had the opportunity to if you were in a relationship. There’s also not as much stress on you as a single gal during the holidays because you don’t have to shop for your partner and extended family members  or  stress over where to eat Christmas dinner.  Not everyone sees the bright side of being fancy free during the holidays, and, tragically, they aren't afraid to let us single ladies know. Not only are single women subjected to even more harassment and ridicule during the holiday season, they’re also given the most obnoxious gifts by those who can’t comprehend how anyone can be both happy and single. Whether it’s a self-help book (desperately) trying to reinforce how great is to be single or the gift of a year-long subscription to Match.com , single women are presented with
Post a Comment
Read more

Give JR a Break

Recently, I've been reading some sites that have criticized James Roday, the lead actor on the USA show PSYCH for an apparent weight gain. But you know what? Who gives a flying fizzle stick if James Roday is slightly larger than he was 4 years ago. Apparently, it wasn't enough to scare away his current girlfriend/ co-star Maggie Lawson. (Who is one hell of a Catch!) And NO they are not engaged. That seems to be nothing more than a rumor, but there is a very high chance of it happening in the near future. Anyway, as long as PSYCH continues to entertain I don't mind about James Roday's waist. He, and Dule Hill, and Corbin Bernson too, can eat all the fried broccoli they want. The last episode of PSYCH wasn't so smashing, but I don't blame it on dietary issues. QATFYG: Are you keeping up with Psych? And who is hotter, James Roday or Maggie Lawson? (Trick Question but idk why) PS: If you have heard any more news on Roday and Lawson becoming Roday-Lawson, send it
15 comments
Read more