Volunteer Spotlight - Nicole Lagace

Name: Nicole Lagace
Age: 39
Hometown: Peterborough, NH
Current: Providence, RI

What do you do at Girls Rock! RI?

I’m on the advisory board, communications committee, and a bass instructor

How did you get involved with Girls Rock! RI?

Hilary Jones asked me if I would be interested in joining the planning committee
in the spring of 2009.

How did you get started in music?

I grew up with music. My dad plays guitar and my sisters and I would sing along
to whatever he was playing. He’s a natural at harmonies. My mom’s family would
also have “hootenannies” a few times a year. She comes from a large family and
my aunts and uncles would play guitar, mandolin, violin, washboard…just about
anything that made sound. I was a virtuoso on the spoons. I started playing
piano when I was four and landed on the bass after I graduated from college. I
attended rock camp for drums in October and I love it.

What was your first rock show and what do you remember most about it?

I grew up in rural New Hampshire so access to rock shows was pretty minimal.
Elvis Costello and The Rude Five was my first show in high school. Pump it Up!
is what I remember most.

What female musician (dead or alive) would you most like to meet?

I’m actually wary of meeting musicians whose music I love. Lame? That said, I
did hear an interview with Patti Smith on Fresh Air last month and she said some
pretty interesting things about death and grieving that I would love to discuss
more with her.

What message do you have for all the budding female rockers out there?

Don’t be afraid to hit a wrong note. So often musicians can get caught up in
wanting to be perfect or sounding instantly good. Fear of sounding bad really
limits creativity and learning. It’s hard to know what sounds good if you don’t
hear what sounds bad.

Where can we find you when you are not rocking?

By day, working for another small nonprofit on affordable housing issues. By
night, hanging with my six year old daughter Amelia and husband Ian.

What are you listening to these days?

My iPod on shuffle and Pandora. I never fast forward The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Bon
Iver, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, or Blonde Redhead to name a few. I also just heard
Coconut Records, Jason Schwartzman’s solo project, and I’d like to hear more of
that.


From everyone at Girls Rock! RI... You ROCK Nicole! Thank you for all you do!