Northern Abbey is a creative solo project started by Nick Lambert. If the name Nick Lambert sounds familiar, it may be because he is the guitar player for the popular Christian rock band, Falling Up. That's right, Falling Up!!
I had the chance to ask Nick a few questions about his new side project Northern Abbey, and also how he got started playing with Falling Up. I hope you enjoy the interview, and make sure you check out Northern Abbey's music! You can listen to and buy Northern Abbey's music on Band Camp.
Can you give us a little background history on how you got started playing music?
Can you give us a little background history on how you got started playing music?
I started playing guitar my junior year of high school. I initially wanted to play piano and took about one and a half years of lessons, but had a hard time reading sheet music.
So from there, I taught myself, and in that time, picked up guitar as well. I learned power chords, and went to town. haha. From there, I started a band in college called, Seven Years Absence with some friends and family, and eventually changed the name to Paper Astronomer and moved to Seattle.
So from there, I taught myself, and in that time, picked up guitar as well. I learned power chords, and went to town. haha. From there, I started a band in college called, Seven Years Absence with some friends and family, and eventually changed the name to Paper Astronomer and moved to Seattle.
How did you get started playing with Falling Up?
As Paper Astronomer was nearing its end, we had played a couple shows with Falling Up and I became good friends with Jessy during that time. So, for our final album release we had Jessy record it all for us, and we played our final show with The River Empires.
After the show, Jessy and I were talking and the idea of a new Falling Up album (later to be Your Sparkling Death Cometh) came up, and me now being without a band, Jessy asked if I wanted to hop on board. From there, I laid down some ideas during the demo process, and eventually came in officially at the end of the recording process for that album. Its been quite an amazing journey.
What is your personal favorite Falling Up song?
After the show, Jessy and I were talking and the idea of a new Falling Up album (later to be Your Sparkling Death Cometh) came up, and me now being without a band, Jessy asked if I wanted to hop on board. From there, I laid down some ideas during the demo process, and eventually came in officially at the end of the recording process for that album. Its been quite an amazing journey.
What is your personal favorite Falling Up song?
Golden Arrows! Hands down.
Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians?
Nike had a great slogan that I didn't take too seriously when it first came out, "Just Do It." Now I see the value in that. Its so true. The only thing holding you back is yourself. Figure out what you seriously love to do, and get out there and do it! Its not always easy, but its totally worth it.
What inspired you to start your side project, Northern Abbey?
Northern Abbey came about during a time when I just wanted to do something where I didn't have to run it by a band. haha. I love the writing process of a band, but I got a little burned out and needed a "refresh" if you will. So Northern Abbey was born.
It feels good to just write and record everything you want to do with no real outside input. Its not really the smartest way to do music, mind you. You can get stuck in your own head pretty easily, but that's what its meant to be for me. A way to get ideas out of my head that may not necessarily be useful in a full band situation. The only downside to it that I can think of is people may not buy it cause its too strange. haha
It feels good to just write and record everything you want to do with no real outside input. Its not really the smartest way to do music, mind you. You can get stuck in your own head pretty easily, but that's what its meant to be for me. A way to get ideas out of my head that may not necessarily be useful in a full band situation. The only downside to it that I can think of is people may not buy it cause its too strange. haha
How would you describe Northern Abbey's sound musically, and who are some of your influences?
Well, for the last couple EP's I've written them to be soundtracks to specific places here in the Northwest. I like to imagine I'm hiking in one of the forests or walking the streets of downtown and try and write to that feeling.
As for influences, I try to not listen to music when I'm writing, but that being said I have been listening to a couple albums as of late "Prophet" by Ramona Falls and "Holy Fire" by Foals, they probably have permeated my mind more than I'd like to admit. :)
As for influences, I try to not listen to music when I'm writing, but that being said I have been listening to a couple albums as of late "Prophet" by Ramona Falls and "Holy Fire" by Foals, they probably have permeated my mind more than I'd like to admit. :)
Where did the name Northern Abbey come from?
I knew what I wanted Northern Abbey to sound like sonically, so I just tried to imagine where that sound would come from and the first thing that came to mind was a snowy mountain abbey.
How have you seen God moving in your life recently?
I've been extremely blessed, my wife and I will be celebrating our 10th anniversary this summer, I get to play music that I love, I make video games with Mountain Machine Games, and I can pay my rent and bills each month. He's been good to me, and hopefully I'm living in a way that people can see that.
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?
"Be the best at what you love." I still have a long way to go with this one, but it always drives me.
Five Random Bonus Questions
1. What is your favorite movie?
The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
2. If you had one day to do anything, anywhere, what would you do?
Eat Italian food in Italy.
3. What time is "bedtime" typically?
11:30pm
4. What is the last CD you bought?
I can't remember the last physical CD I bought (I think it was a Ra Ra Riot album), but I recently bought the new Bastille album digitally.
5. What is something that most people don't know about you?
I'm a super nerd! I play so many video games its ridiculous.
You can find Northern Abbey on:
1 comment:
Good little interview, I am a huge Falling Up fan. I checked out his Northern Abbey cd, The Sound of Glowing, when it first came out and immediately I had to buy it! lol It is quite a vivid ep. It reminds me of Falling Up in the sense that it makes me see a whole little storyline in my head. It's great to listen when I go running or walking. I love that he wrote it with that in mind, it comes across so well to me.
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