Nicole Laurel Asensio is a rare breed – she has the blood of music legends. Soprano Fides Cuyugan Asensio is her grandmother and singer/actor Cocoy Laurel is her uncle, where she got her love and passion for music and being a singer/songwriter herself. Growing up from a family of classical and Broadway singers, Nicole happened to found herself the sane genre with a mixture of modern rock.
From the all-girl rock band General Luna, who is now a solo artist and performer, Nicole is ready to show her pure talent alongside with the release of her new solo album Schizoprano, under MCA Music.
Nicole admits that she’s doing a total overhaul from being in bands most of her career and it has been life changing. “There’s a part where you need to step out of your comfort zone and learn from other musicians. And when it comes to supportive musical friends, I am blessed. Musically, I feel more free to collaborate and venture off sound wise – so that’s a plus,” Nicole shared.
Schizoprano came from the word schizophrenic plus soprano, which was made possible by Nicole’s friends who are the best in the music industry. “The term “schizoprano” seemed to suit me and my voice just fine. I still sing classical when the occasion calls for it. I don’t think I can remove that from my system.” she said. Her music in this new album will give listeners a unique musical experience, combining classical and rock performance, where Nicole’s voice is perfectly made for. “I also feel thankful for this opportunity and the support from my collaborators, production, and MCA. I look forward to the doors God will open with this new ticket.” she added.
The tracks from her Schizoprano album include her carrier single, “Leader For A Day” with lyrics taken from replies Nicole’s Facebook status: “What would you do if you were leader for a day?” Other tracks in the album are collaborations just like with WilabaliW’s Ian Tayao on the love song “All In All”, rapper Mike Swift on “Huwag Mo Na Ako Mahalin”, and her Philpop song “A Song On A Broken String” and more songs originally composed by Nicole and her friends. Another track named “Walang Anuman” whose piano arrangement was created by an Italian composer and friend Diedonne Russo, giving her, who gave her a piano riff with a note, “This is my gift to you. Write something in your language.” Nicole teamed up with JC Magsalin of Manila Philharmonic Orchestra to create an orchestral arrangement for the song and emailed to Diedonne Russo with a note, ‘This is my gift back to you.”’
Schizoprano by Nicole is now out in CDs at Astroplus and Astrovision outlets and is available through digital downloads via Spinnr and iTunes. It can also be streamed at Spinnr, Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer, VEVO and Guvera.
For bookings and inquiries, contact Sammy Samaniego of MCA Music Artist Management at +632 9162504 local 107, +639178565174 and +639209682991 or email [email protected] or [email protected]. For updates on Nicole, log on to the following sites: www.facebook.com/mcamusic or www.twitter.com/mca_music or follow mca_music at Instagram.
