Bio

Born on Halloween in 1986,

Nicholas Cantine gravitated toward creative expression almost immediately, discovering music, art, and film at an early age—particularly with horror themes—and forming a deep affinity for dark, honest, and emotionally resonant storytelling. Nicholas Cantine studied music production, audio engineering and production, and music business at The Institute of Production & Recording in Minneapolis, MN. Since his time in the Minneapolis music scene, he has worked continuously as an audio producer and engineer for artists and bands, operating out of his home studio in Casper, WY. Motivated by the artists working in the studio, Nicholas was “reengaged” in 2023 to get back to songwriting and performance, leading to the formation of Pleasure People.

Pleasure People, the primary musical project built around Cantine’s songwriting, is both difficult to categorize and immediately recognizable. At times moody and emotional, at times eerie, mysterious, and subtly subversive, the band’s sound is shaped by unusual guitar tunings, cerebral lyrical content, and an ever-shifting mix of instruments including cello, mandolin, banjo, banjolele, bass, and drums. While often labeled Alternative / Folk, Pleasure People freely incorporates elements of Americana and Bluegrass, delivering songs with divergent song arrangements, and songwriting that reflects on life experiences, self-reflection, and playfully haunting narratives. Much of Cantine’s recent writing is informed by his active recovery from alcoholism, exploring themes of fear, depression, healing, gratitude, and the complexity and power of relationships in life.

Each Pleasure People performance is intentionally fluid, with no two shows ever quite the same. Sets may feature Nicholas Cantine performing solo, or expand organically into duo, trio, quartet, or full-band configurations depending on the venue, collaborators, and moment. Cantine feels this approach allows him to engage audiences in different ways, all equally meaningful, ranging from intimate, stripped-down storytelling performances in listening rooms to layered ensemble arrangements in larger theaters and outdoor festival settings, where dynamic instrumentation reinforces each song’s message and makes every show a distinct experience shaped by the people on stage and in the audience.