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Meet Nick Duarte of Post Paradise in Fort Collins

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Duarte.

Nick, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Music has always been a core part of my life and story. I started out playing piano when I was very young, moved on to guitar and over time realized that I loved performing and writing. That led me to Berklee College of Music to explore both the performing and business side of the music industry. I ended up leaving a few semesters in to take what I’d learned and put it to use. After running a band for a number of years I had the opportunity to relocate to Colorado.

When I moved out here I wasn’t expecting to have a life in music. I’d gotten pretty burnt out until coming out here but seeing all of the amazing music community and venues, I knew I had to dive back in. I started Post Paradise just to get back into music for fun but it turned into a much bigger part of my life.

Being involved in the music scene in Fort Collins led to an amazing day gig as the Curator of the Music & Sound Lab at Fort Collins Museum of Discovery. I design and repair hands-on interactive music exhibits and create programs and activities for up and coming youth musicians. It can be a challenge juggling so much but I do enjoy giving back to our musical community. They’ve been wonderful about working with my sometimes crazy schedule. A life in music means wearing lots of different hats!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Music is definitely an industry filled with high highs and low lows. It can be insanely rewarding but with it comes heartache and difficulties…but we need things to write about, don’t we?

We’ve been stranded on tour after a van died, we’ve had membership changes for a variety of reasons, one time a studio went out of business the week we were going to make a record… The list goes on, you really have to see them as opportunities to learn and grow.

Our newest record, Lonely Worlds, is tied together by the themes of what I was going through during a year-long bout of depression that started around 2018. It really blindsided me and I had a difficult time getting anything done or enjoying anything for a long time, music included. I finally got myself to a counselor and was able to come out the other side, for the most part. Luckily, I was able to turn that whole experience into a group of songs that would hopefully help others who’ve dealt with these experiences, so even as dark as it was, it wasn’t a waste. It was cathartic because there were days when the record was the only thing that I could bring myself to work on. A light in the dark.

Can you give our readers some background on your music?
Post Paradise is a four piece cello-rock band based in Fort Collins, CO. Our inspirations range from classical music all the way to alternative rock, creating a melodic, emotive, energetic sound. The cello is definitely what sets us apart or at the very least has helped us get noticed in a crowded industry.

We have released four full-length records, made a handful of music videos, toured here and there, and of course, still play shows in Northern Colorado and beyond.

It’s been a wild ride, but I’d say the thing we are MOST excited for is our newest record Lonely Worlds. We just released it on November 1st and so far it’s been well received. Our cellist, Amy does our graphic design work and she put together such amazing imagery to go along with the narrative of the record. We’ll be working on producing a series of music videos for Lonely Worlds over the next year.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I would say that I discovered my love of comic books from a very early age. I’m pretty sure comic books are how I learned to read and it’s a hobby that I have stuck with to this day. I love being transported to different worlds, seeing the amazing art styles and seeing what stories the writers come up within a medium that essentially has no limits.

Since I know you’re now wondering, I was (and still am) an X-Men guy through and through!

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Image Credit:
Backstage Flash, Ed Ziehm Photography, Andy Manshel

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