NICK SANTINO BRINGS HIS "LONG & WINDING ROAD" TOUR TO NYC

Nick Santino’s, The Long & Winding Roadshow Tour is an acoustic tour that makes you want to see all of the bands that performed, perform over and over again. In fact, I did that exact thing. After the great experience I had at Santos on Friday, I saw they were playing another show closer to where I live, on Sunday! So, I went and saw my new favorite humans, once more. The fun atmosphere and friendly faces made everyone want the night to keep going. Most of you may know Nick from his former band, “A Rocket to the Moon.” He has now gone solo and his many talents really shine even more now. Everyone on this tour is full of surprises. You should definitely go make a playlist right now with The Technicolors, Austin Gibbs, Brian Marquis, This Century and of course Nick Santino’s music on it.

Here’s my awesome interview with the one and only Nick Santino. I’m very impressed with how it turned out since we were in really tight space with alien-like blue lighting. Workers were going back and forth telling us we couldn’t stand there, but Nick worked his magic.

Nick: Is your phone always that bright?

P&W: Yes it is. My LIFE is always this bright!

P&W: Nick Santino! This is crazy! The first time I met you was at a meet and greet at warped tour in 2009 and you were signing some girls shoe! How was warped tour this year?

Nick: It was definitely different than it was 5 years ago. I mean everyone has their idea of what warped tour is, but I was a little worried at first. I thought I’d be playing with all these metal bands and here I am a folky-Americana singer songwriter. I felt totally accepted though.

P&W: I could imagine how much of a new experience it was especially since the last time you were there you were with your old band “A Rocket to the Moon.” How has that transition been?

Nick: I mean going solo was different, but awesome. I’m not insulting A Rocket to the Moon, I loved that music and playing with a full band, too. However, I just feel like now I can be more intimate. Like, I’m sure some people weren’t happy about the split, but I have a lot of support. I mean I’m sure people freaked out when The Beatles went solo, not that I’m comparing myself to The Fucking Beatles, but the majority of “A Rocket to the Moons” fans are still there for me and like me just for being Nick.

P&W: How is the song writing process different?

Nick: Before, when I would write a song it was weird ‘cause I would bring it back to the guys and feel like everyone had to relate. That was hard when I would write a song about a girl who broke my heart named so and so and some of the guys in the band have no idea who that even is or understand those lyrics. So, the song “Dakota” for example, I had never even met a girl named Dakota until we started playing it on tour and met fans with that name. That was actually pretty neat. Anyway, now I just feel like its 100% personal and raw instead of 30% mystery and 70% truth.

P&W: If you were the coordinator for a new and upcoming festival, what would be your perfect lineup (headliners)?

Nick: Surprisingly, I’m not a fan of festivals. I feel like they are too hectic and rushed. There are like thirty bands that have to fly in for one thing on the same stage… Yea, not my thing. I don’t consider warped tour a festival because everything runs on time and you know who’s performing on what stage and at what time. I’d be into something relaxed though, like Tom Petty and Jackson Browne. Mainly acoustic sets would be great!

P&W: How’d I know you were going to mention Tom Petty! Why is Tom Petty so fucking cool?

Nick: ‘Cause he’s Tom Petty! I think it has a lot to do with social media and the way the industry is now-a-days. Like, everyone knows so much about me. For example, fans know my dogs name, who my friends are and some of my favorite things in life because I put it out there. Musicians back then had this rock star secret that made them seem so mysterious and cool all the time. I don’t think anybody can be that way anymore and if they try to be they are most likely Kurt Cobain or Jim Morrison posers.

P&W: So, I know Tom Petty is a major musical influence on you! Pre or post “Free Fallin?”

Nick: I actually didn’t know much about Tom Petty until I started listening to his greatest hits. Like, I had no idea “Highway Companion” came out before “Wildflowers” and he wrote “Free Fallin” without The Heartbreakers, which is interesting since I can relate to that. So, basically I’m just really into Tom Petty.

P&W: …And One Direction according to your Instagram. I must say your Instagram is hilarious. What if I told you One Direction was here tonight and wanted to meet you?

Nick: Yea, I do have a pretty good gram! Oh! I’d most likely scream like a little girl! *looks behind him checking if Harry Styles is going to surprise him*

P&W: Good thing they’re not here! Ok last question before we get trampled. Since, I work for the coolest music website in NYC I have to ask this very important question! Do you like pancakes and do you like whiskey?

Nick: I’m actually not a big drinker. I actually remember the last beer I had on tour was in North Carolina. I’m boring.

P&W: ……………..

Nick: I mean, of course I love pancakes and whiskey.

Article by: Kayla Klein