Some of you have heard about my accident by now. If not, here's what happened -
It was Father's Day, and to celebrate, we were hanging out at my Dad's house at Lake Bloomington. The day had been a pretty typical June day in Illinois – a bit windy, but mostly sunny and nice. We had just come in from boating when a storm popped up. Everyone was heading inside to avoid the rain, and I was trying to secure some patio furniture that was flying around outside on the deck. My last memory was checking the grill to see if the burners were still going. They had blown out. Moments after this, I was struck on the back of the head by a large tree limb that had apparently been shook loose by the intense winds that were blowing all around me. I learned later that some neighbors actually watched a funnel cloud touch down on the lake nearby picking up smaller boats and tossing them onto the shore. I spent six days in the head-trauma unit at BroMenn hospital in Bloomington, IL, before coming home to Urbana on June 20th. My injuries include a broken scapula (shoulder blade), a cracked skull, a few broken ribs, and a punctured lung. Aside from twelve staples in my head, nothing could be casted.
I look pretty good on the outside. I'm just really messed up internally. I'm taking iron supplements, and my blood count is slowly returning to normal. The pain medication is doing its job, and I feel a little better each day. My injuries have definitely set me back a bit. I can't exactly play guitar right now because my left shoulder is pretty out of whack, and singing is pretty painful because of the broken ribs and punctured lung. I had some projects I wanted to do around the house this summer, but those will also have to wait. I'm wise enough to know that not all of this is bad.
There is probably a reason why all of this happened, and I trust that I'll figure some of that out in time. For now, I am thankful that my injuries were not worse than they are. The doctors told Heather that if she had attempted to drive me there in a car (which was a serious consideration since 911 did not answer the first three calls made to them), they were not sure I would have made it. After being "near death," I can't say that I really thought about dying throughout any of this. But it is strange to hear that others thought I was close. It's just a bit more than a week later and I'm thinking clearly, moving slowly, and feeling like I have a lot to be grateful for right now.
Thanks to all of you who sent me cards, flowers, balloons, honey-bears, and more. Thanks to all of you who have kept me in your thoughts and prayers. Thanks to all of you who have visited me at home and in the hospital. I have felt very loved throughout all of this.
Sincerely, Nic
NIC HAS BEEN BADLY INJURED June 18, 2008
As many of you know, Nic was badly injured by a tree that fell on him on Father's Day. We were visiting Nic's dad at Lake Bloomington when a severe storm popped up suddenly in the late afternoon. We started grilling burgers just before the storm came, and Nic was trying to gather up a few things before seeking shelter in the house. A tree fell and hit him from behind, knocking him out and throwing him to the ground. He has no recollection of the accident or of the following 30+ minutes. Once Nic was in the house, we realized that he was quickly loosing massive amounts of blood.
He has spent the last couple days in the hospital becoming stabilized and starting the recovery process from a three inch laceration in the back of his head (repaired with 12 staples), a fractured skull, a severe break in the scapula (left shoulder blade, a large and very difficult bone to break), several broken ribs, and a slightly punctured lung.
We've been overwhelmed and grateful for the amount of love and support that has been shown to us by friends and family. In fact, we have had so many visitors that the nurses and doctors have currently requested that hospital visits be kept to a minimum. (While we have felt very loved by everyone, the doctors want to ensure that Nic gets adequate rest.) Nic is anxious to begin physical therapy and is in need of time to focus on that. He would love to continue to receive notes of encouragement and anything else you would like to send to either the hospital or our home. We are hoping that Nic's condition will be more stabilized and he will be able to return home within a few days.
Nic is in hospital room 589 at BroMenn Hospital in Bloomington, Illinois. Our home address is: 1101 East Washington Street in Urbana, Illinois, zip code 61801.
While we're sad that Nic will most likely not be able to return to work for some time, our new record will certainly be delayed, and a number of other things (vacations, landscaping projects around the house, and so on) will be postponed, we are thankful that they will be able to happen eventually.
For all that has happened, we are both very comforted knowing that it could have been MUCH worse. Although Nic is in a lot of pain right now, it can and will be overcome. Hopefully life will be back to normal in due time.
SPRING IS HERE! May 14, 2008
And summer is quickly approaching. May is a busy month in our lives. Heather's Birthday is May 13th (yesterday), there's also Mother's Day, graduations, weddings, anniversaries (our 5 year anniversary is May 31st!), and so on. All of this keeps Heather and I running a lot this time of the year. Along with this, I've been working in our yard a decent amount. We purchased a house last year. It sits on two and a half lots which were mostly overgrown with volunteer trees when we bought the place. The forest has been thinned, and now we are trying to rebuild it with intentional plantings and landscaping. It's a lot of work, but it's a new creative outlet as well, and when it's all done, I look forward to relaxing on my patio (which I need to build) and laying in my hammock (which I need to hang). Our garden has been producing some amazing salad greens since it came back to life in March/April, and for this, we are very thankful. We're getting ready to put some more seeds in the ground. Feel free to invite yourself over to our place for dinner sometime in July, as I anticipate we will have lots of fresh food to share by then!
On a musical front, we've been playing shows fairly regularly, debuting some new songs, and recording when we can. We are both very excited about the direction of our music these days. It seems like it's the music we were always supposed to be making, but we just weren't ready. I am not sure when a new album will be finished, but I have a good feeling that our patience and persistence will pay off with this one. We've been recording at home, and so far, things are coming together nicely. We should have something to show you all by Fall for sure. Probably not a completed album, but at least a song or three. A taste.
Thanks for your patience and your friendship. It means a lot that you'd stop by and read this post. I hope the Spring has found you well, also.
Peace, Nic
SOME FUN SHOWS and A VIDEO!!! April 1, 2008
Hello!
Although we are not going on tour this Spring, it was really fun to get out and play three shows in a row over the weekend. Good to see people, play some new songs, and drive around a bit. Things are starting to turn green here in the midwest, and I like it!
Here's a video from our show on Saturday:
Enjoy! -Nic
NO SPECTACULAR LIGHT DISPLAYS...AND I'M CONTENT March 6, 2008
My friends keep asking me when we're going on tour again. My answer has been something like, "uhh�not sure, but it will happen." At last count Casados had played 126 shows. Most of these took place within the context of four tours crammed into about a year's time. At some of the shows, it was just Heather and I, but at most, we had friends�sometimes A LOT of friends. The idea of playing in different arrangements has been a fun thing to explore, but I think, at least for now, we're done experimenting.
I love and envy many bands, and believing that Heather and I are best as a duo is something I've battled against in my mind. Truth be told, even before I was a songwriter, back in my punk-band drummer days, I dreamed of some day "making it" in a band. At that point, I thought this meant I would be playing on a big stage under bright moving lights in front of large crowds of energetic young people. Moving past that dream and accepting a different reality as a songwriter has been strangely challenging, but I'm really starting to not only accept but genuinely love the way things are.
Our current shows list consists of fairly scattered, here-and-there, one-at-a-time kind of shows. These are mostly intimate gatherings in smaller spaces. No spectacular light displays. It feel like we're getting more and more comfortable at every show, and we plan to start recording soon. I am definitely excited about how things are sounding, and I can't wait to capture some of that and share it.
Be well, -Nic
SCHOOL SHOOTINGS, THE "GOD" OF HATE, AND ME PUNCHING FRED PHELPS IN THE FACE... February 21, 2008
The shooting at Northern Illinois University isn't totally fresh news right now. It happened a week ago. This means most people have at least partially forgotten about it. It's what we, as people, do. We move on as a coping mechanism - trying not to slip into total depression over the reality of life and death or the evil that can exist in this world. Nevertheless, sometimes terrible situations happen within close proximity to us, and we can no longer ignore or forget about them as easily. That is the case for me this time. I mean, don't get me wrong, I was very upset when I heard about the shooting at Virginia Tech last year, Columbine and any situation like it. But this particular shooting is hitting a little closer to home because NIU is in my state - I've been there - and the shooter lived in my town. From what I understand, he had attended NIU as an undergrad, and was currently living in an apartment somewhere in Champaign-Urbana with his girlfriend. Just last week before all of this happened he was going to graduate school at the university where I work, walking down the sidewalks where I walk, riding the buses I ride - I mean, maybe I've brush shoulders with this guy in a crowd.
I have been thinking of questions all week. What provoked him? What led him to drive up to DeKalb? Why didn't he do it here? How does his girlfriend feel right now? Why did he do this on Valentine's Day?
All of these questions were still in my mind yesterday, but maybe starting to get a little more distant. Then, I was at work and some students told me about a press release sent out by the Westboro Baptist Church detailing their thoughts regarding the NIU tragedy.
This is a link to the first video I watched: YouTube Video
The next two hours of my day were spent researching the Westboro Baptist Church. I realized I had heard of them before. They picket military funerals claiming "god hates America." They protest in front of churches claiming that "god hates fags" and so on. I had heard of these things, and while I thought that those claims were awful, I had never been so upset by them as I was right at that moment. I researched further and learned that the church is based out of Topeka, KS, and it has close to 100 members. Most of them are children or grandchildren to a man named Fred Phelps who, after being voted out of a previous church because of his ideas, started his own "church" in 1995.
The videos I watched and the articles I read were unbelievable. You can find a lot of information out there if you want, but I'll just summarize what you'll come away feeling by saying this: While I think that most people understand that Westboro Baptist Church is not a typical church and it could more appropriately be labeled a "cult," I think they represent just another example of why it's perfectly justifiable, and maybe most rational, to view all churches and religious communities with some skepticism in this day and age. It seems like we are continuously given new reasons to not trust organized religion.
I'll stop there and continue with stories about my day. It will come full circle. Trust me. ;)
It had been a few hours since I had researched the Westboro cult, and I was driving in my friend's car listening to a radio program on WEXP, a public radio station in Champaign. The radio host was interviewing individuals who work with the homeless in places like New Orleans, Benton Harbor, MI, and Nashville. Every person interviewed on the show was affiliated with a church. A couple of them were even Baptists of some variety. The radio host asked each of them how they resolve their faith in light of the fact that so many churches overlook the needs they as individuals were addressing. The answers varied, but I think he highlighted a question that a lot of people have. A question I have thought about for years. What does "church" mean? How can one "Baptist church" be so terrible and another make me think that there is hope for humanity? How do I know the difference between these two kinds of churches when I drive by them on the street? I mean, they look the same. I saw pictures of Westboro, and it looked like pretty much every small church I've ever seen - minus the banner hanging on the church that said, "God hates America."
I think it's a real tragedy that a church, a place that to my understanding was supposed to represent "hope" and "light" in the world, could actually represent some of the most extreme evil we may ever encounter. I mean, wouldn't it be nice if churches really existed as a refuge for those in need - truly sacred space? I think it would be nice, but I don't think that's what the church represents these days. Not as long as places like Westboro Baptist Church exist, and not as long as churches with less extreme views keep their doors closed to the needy. Personally, I am tempted to join the students of NIU and stand guard against the Westboro members who have said they will protest at the funerals for these shooting victims. Furthermore, although I'm not a violent person, I think I would feel a certain elevated, maybe even kind of spiritual, sense of joy punching Fred Phelps in the face. I imagine God smiling down upon me in that moment. I fantasize myself sitting in a court room proudly testifying to what I did and gladly accepting any due punishment for my crime.
I know it's not much, but I want to express my most sincere condolences to the families, friends and students more closely affected by the shooting at NIU. Know that you are in my thoughts and that I am praying for the God I believe in, the one who doesn't "hate" or use the term "fags", to give you peace.
-Nic
BACK HOME AND THANKFUL... November 27, 2007
We arrived home safely from our tour a little over a week ago. With the holidays and everything else going on, it has been a little crazy. The Dillon house now features a tree, lights, and various other holiday adornments strung about. Heather and I are back at our respective jobs, and everything is fairly normal. With this tour being so long, I began to understand the value of home. Home is a place where a certain security exists for me; a security that enables me to do things I don't get to otherwise. On tour, my mind focuses on questions that some would classify as lower level Maslow, such as, "Where will I be sleeping tonight?" or "What will I eat and where will I find it?" At home, questions regarding my basic needs are easily answered and as a result, I can focus on higher level needs. Like my need to create, which for me comes in the form of writing new songs, hanging up Christmas lights, and painting that old hutch that we picked up at a yard sale and plan to use in our bedroom as soon as I get done refinishing it. This year has been a good one for me personally and for Casados as well. I think we've done a good job, overall. In the year to come, we plan to continue working hard, but our plan for the December is to rest and enjoy the season. I hope you will do the same.
Happy Holidays! Nic
OVER HALFWAY THROUGH... November 2, 2007
We're in Phily today. Everyone is safe, we haven't killed one another, the van is running well, and we're looking forward to visiting NYC and the rest of the Northeast over the next week. The Southeast was beautiful. I finally got to see some good Fall colors! We met some great people, and in general, this tour has really been good for us. We're getting excited about the album we plan to record when we get home. Ideas are coming together, and the songs are getting pretty strong. While we were in Athens, GA, The Red and the Black, a University of Georgia student newspaper, printed this story about us. It's been good to hear that people are keeping up with us through the tour blog, as well. Thanks again to Brady and Jacob for keeping that up!
Nothing else to report at this time. Hope life is good for everyone out there. Thanks for stopping by!
Be well! Nic
TOURING, NEWS & STUFF October 12, 2007
Hey!
Check out the tour blog! Also, the Advance Titan just posted this story following an interview. The tour is off to a great start! Thanks for checking in.
Peace, Nic
FALL TOUR! October 6, 2007
CASADOS: FALL TOUR POSTER ARTWORK by AARON POWERS @ CERCADELATIERRA.COM
Nice poster, ehh? Our schedule is as follows:
10/10 ----- Grinnell, IA - Grinnell College 10/11 ----- Dubuque, IA - The Busted Lift 10/12 ----- Eau Claire, WI - Racy's 10/13 ----- Minneapolis, MN - Nomad World Pub 10/14 ----- Oshkosh, WI - Reptile Palace 10/15 ----- Chicago, IL - Silvie's Lounge 10/17 ----- Dayton, OH - Nite Owl 10/18 ----- St. Louis, MO - Vintage Vinyl (5:30) and Bluebird (8 PM) 10/19 ----- Memphis, TN - Otherlands 10/20 ----- Murfreesboro, TN - Wall Street 10/22 ----- Athens, GA - Mercury Lounge 10/23 ----- Gainesville, FL - 1982 Bar 10/24 ----- Lake Worth, FL - Bamboo Room 10/25 ----- Daytona Beach, FL - tir na nOg 10/26 ----- Jacksonville, FL - Yesterday's Social Club 10/27 ----- Charleston, SC - Cumberland's 10/29 ----- Greenville, NC - The Spazzatorium Galleria! 10/30 ----- Wilson, NC - Luna Bean 11/01 ----- Arlington, VA - Murky's Upstairs 11/02 ----- Philadelphia, PA - House Show @ The Simple Way! 11/03 ----- Brooklyn, NY - Goodbye Blue Monday 11/04 ----- New York City, NY - Cake Shop 11/05 ----- Cambridge, MA - TT The Bear's Place 11/06 ----- Montpelier, VT - Langdon Street Cafe 11/07 ----- Burlington, VT - Radio Bean 11/08 ----- Worcester, MA - The Java Hut 11/09 ----- Rochester, NY - Boulder Coffee Co. 11/10 ----- Jamestown, NY - Labyrinth Press Company 11/12 ----- Columbus, OH - Rumba Cafe 11/13 ----- Hamtramck, MI - Small's 11/14 ----- Ypsilanti, MI - Dreamland Theatre 11/15 ----- Lansing, MI - Scene MetroSpace Art Gallery 11/16 ----- Champaign, IL - Cowboy Monkey
We're leaving in just a few days, so I'm starting to think about packing. I think we're all really excited to go. We'll be trying out some new songs --- Songs we hope to record soon after getting back. One that I'm particularly excited about is called, Blackwater and the Military Industrial Complex. I just wrote it a week ago after hearing about all this Blackwater stuff. There's a good documentary called 'Why We Fight' that gives some background on the concept of the "Military Industrial Complex". You can watch the whole thing in 4 parts on YouTube. It's definitely worth your time.
We have a few new reviews and such posted on our press page. Be sure to check out our tour blog as well.
Hope to see you at a show! Nic
BACK IN ACTION, AGAIN September 25, 2007
The heat here in Illinois has been overwhelming these last couple weeks, and as usual, I'm ready for the cool down. - Nic posted this sentence six weeks ago, and nothing's changed!
Pygmalion was a fantastic show. Love to everyone who came out to the Cowboy Monkey in Champaign, and to Seth Fein for setting up another great year at the festival.
If you weren't there, it was packed, onstage and off. In addition to the trio of Nic, Heather and myself, we had Zack Grant on bass, Kristin Tennant on viola, Phil Damery on electric guitar and pedal steel, and Sean Stevens on tuba.
So long for now, and keep an eye on our tour blog.
Brady
BACK IN ACTION August 14, 2007
The heat here in Illinois has been overwhelming these last couple weeks, and as usual, I'm ready for the cool down. Fall is coming soon, and Casados is getting ready for a tour with our good friend Jacob Tyler Wolfgang. He will be joining us for about six weeks of shows throughout the Midwest, Southeast and all the way up the East Coast. Check out our tour schedule on MYSPACE to see where we'll be.
Thanks to all of you who have purchased the Passages EP. It has continued to receive good reviews, and we're anxious to begin working on a follow-up. If you haven't picked up a copy yet, there are various purchasing options listed on our store page, and we certainly appreciate the support.
Last and certainly not least, I'm excited to announce the recent addition of my great friend, Brady Bush, to full-time Casados line-up. Brady will primarily function as our drummer, but I'm sure we'll find other ways to utilize his skills. Along with drumming, Brady is an excellent writer. He just started a blog that is mostly related to the Champaign-Urbana music scene, but it will feature reviews and information on National artists as well. You can check that out HERE.
No other big announcements for now. Thanks for stopping by!
Nic
A SLEEPY SUMMER...OR NOT June 4, 2007
Things have slowed down around the Casados camp for the summer. We're taking some time off from touring to work, move into a new house, write and record some new songs, and attend 10 weddings. No joke.
We'll be out on the road again from the end of September until about Thanksgiving time. At that point, we should have a new drummer joining us, so it should be fun. Be well, and enjoy your summer everyone!
ARTWORK by AARON POWERS @ CERCADELATIERRA.COM