photo : valerie@fremin.net

Plenty of positive entities that fulfill our lives come with one-worded brand names; Oreo’s, Lego’s, and now, local promoter Nardo. Established in 1997 and originating from Detroit, Michigan, Nardo finally came to Austin around 2007 to continue his positive message through live, music shows.

What started off as a passion for music, can now be heard on a weekly basis at The Parish with local bands like The Boxing Lesson, {{{Sunset}}} and more.
Nardo began his music passion through instruments, like many of us do. He learned the basics (guitar, programming and synthesizers mostly) and even put a few bands (Le Ren and The Chocolate Thunder Experience) together. Thus his musical journey led him to Los Angeles for about four or five years, where he began Navdo Records and started helping out talented friends with their musical ventures, as well as his. After the industry slowed, he knew he needed another angle to keep doing what he loved; being involved in music. Lucky for us, he came to Austin.

“I came to Austin just to make music and hang out, but then I started seeing a lot of shows in town and seeing how certain venues were treating the artists and I was bummed out about it, so I wanted to find a better way to do it,” he says. Los Angeles definitely contributed to his start as a promoter, but Austin has helped it thrive.

“In L.A. you have a million different people doing what you’re doing. And even though your game is different from the rest, it’s still hard to stand out because there are a million other companies with big names backing them up. So when you come to Austin, you see that it is the ‘Live Capital of Music,’ but no one is putting these great bands together.”

Fast forward to today and it’s no wonder he’s starting to put together one of the few, great monthlies in town.

“Well now that I’ve started, my goal is to change the game, here in Austin,” he says with utter deliverance. “Mainly it deals with hospitality and taking care of our artists and taking care of the supporters that come to the show. And what I’ve loved so far when people come is that the leave with smiles on their face. And that’s priceless right there.”

Nardo’s non-stop smile and passion is a contagious commodity, making me a believer in my cynical head about the status of the industry today. His message of love with a smile is what he sends to anyone he meets.

“We all like to feel good and smile, and love. Love is free; it’s something you’re not charged for, some places,” he says.

photo : valerie@fremin.net

With his positive message and incessant need to please the artists as well as the audience, it finally seems like someone is doing something right for the music-lovers in this town. Taking care of those who contribute is a major attribute to a great show.

“That’s what it’s about because if you didn’t have the artists, you wouldn’t have the shows. And the best thing is seeing an artist happy because when they’re happy, they’re putting on a killer show. What more can you ask?”

I couldn’t.

-Sonya Gonzales

Help spread his heartfelt sermon by heading to his myspace. You can also check out his bands Le Ren and The Chocolate Thunder Experience as well (Le Ren will contribute to a compilation that will be out in September). But definitely don’t miss out on his amazing shows at The Parish (which are greatly complimented with the help of The Roux, Jimmy John’s and Synaesthesiax Lighting).

April 10th: 9:00 pm: Navdo Presents: {{{Sunset}}} w/ Gulf of Mexico and The Boxing Lesson

April 11th: 9:00 pm: Navdo Presents: {{{Sunset}}} w/ Lomita and The Soldier Thread

April 17th: 8:30 pm: Navdo Presents: Psychedelic Shack w/ Ringo Death Starr; Soundpool; All in the Golden Afternoon; She, Sir

April 18th: 8:3o pm: Navdo Presents: Psychedelic Shack w/ The Boxing Lesson; Soundpool; My Education; Skyisfalling

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 8th, 2008 at 11:35 pm and is filed under interview.