In 2005, at the age of 14, Nic Hessler created the alias Catwalk to write, record and perform his music. Two short run 7″ singles were released on the now defunct Yay! imprint, making the rounds in small indie record stores and mail-order distributors. This led to Nic, as Catwalk, to be signed to Captured Tracks at the age of 18.
Two Captured Tracks 7″ releases in 2010 and 2011 gained Hessler media praise and support from the music community of Orange County. Catwalk’s path was focused on a full length and non-stop touring. However, none of that came to fruition because Nic was diagnosed with Guillain–Barré Syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder that’s sometimes mistaken for Multiple Sclerosis, and he was left partially paralyzed for a period during these four years.
Nic re-emerges in 2015 without the Catwalk moniker, healthy and reinvigorated, with a more fully-formed and ambitious sound that is Soft Connections, his debut LP years in the making. The album bridges the songwriting influences of the vintage American power-pop of Emmitt Rhodes and Alex Chilton with UK giants like The Kinks and XTC. Tracks like Hearts, Repeating and I Feel Again show the maturity in craftsmanship Nic’s been honing these past four years.
Lead single, Hearts, Repeating, is the perfect introduction to Hessler’s vibrant power-pop sensibilities. Take a listen to Hearts, Repeating via Soundcloud below.
The making of ‘Soft Connections’ took place during a crucial period of musical growth and self-exploration. It’s an optimistic and introspective record about being in-and-out of feeling—on the brink of a personal breakthrough, yet still seeking direction, purpose, truth and permanence. Anchored by the Catwalk favourite (Please) Don’t Break Me, a song that at one point could very well have launched Nic into indie celebdom four years ago, this debut is now a send off to that period for Nic. Sounding better than ever and ready to soundtrack your road trip or failed crush, Soft Connectionswill be the first record in what we all hope to be a lengthy string of great albums.
Tracklisting:
Feel Again
Hearts, Repeating
Expel Me
Permanent
Do You Ever?
All In the Night
All Around You
(Please) Don’t Break
Moonlight Girl
Into the Twilight
Soon You’ll See, Kristine
Soft Connections
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