Meet Nick DeSimone

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nick DeSimone. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Nick, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

I never did! And to be honest, you probably won’t either. This is just something that comes with being in the arts – “I am the coolest guy alive” and “I should sell all of my gear and flip burgers” are thoughts that exist in my head inside of an hour from each other regularly. Music at the level we operate at is even worse; great nights and terrible ones exist right up against each other, early and often. You’ll probably never stop feeling like you’re doing all the wrong things as an artist, but the bottom line is that if you can ultimately step back from how you’re feeling in those moments as an artist and say that what you’re doing is coming from a completely sincere place, and you aren’t compromising for anybody else, then you can keep having imposter syndrome – and most importantly, making art – for the rest of your life.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I play guitar in a New England based band called The Mighty Fall. We’re in the middle of working on a new record that you’ll hate.

I also operate a small recording studio called Paranormal audio, where I make records you’ll hate.

Lastly, I’m a photographer and videographer for bands you’ll hate.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

1. Be honest, be honest, be honest. I spent a very long time cramming myself artistically into situations that weren’t quite right for me. I’m not saying to be a tyrant, but I am saying that compromise shouldn’t be a word in your vocabulary.

2. “Art isn’t finished, it’s abandoned” I don’t know who said that offhand, but he was smart. I’m going to attribute that quote to myself in that case. Put things out into the world even though it’s the scariest thing you can do as a person who makes things.

3. Being a good hang is 99% of what we do. Be a good hang and people will like what you do more.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

Learn by doing. Everything that’s been valuable to me in what I do was something that I knuckled down and just figured out. Waiting for someone to do it for you, or thinking that it can’t be done without an education is how you end up not making half as much art as you should. Get your hands very, very dirty on everything that interests you in relation to your work.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @themightyfallband

Image Credits

Evil Robb Photos
Enchanted Memories By Amy