This week, Boston-based songwriter Nick Paraggio joins AP for a discussion about their journey as a performing musician, the unique subjects that inspire their songs, and even some personal mystical experiences for good measure! Nick has performed as Captain Vampire for the last several years, and released albums full of songs covering feuding occultists, pigeons, and odd historical events. In conversation, Nick discusses the process of crafting songs from the stories of figures such as Hildegard von Bingen or Alexander the Great, navigating music scenes and finding one's own way in the world of performance, and even the ins and outs of being a gigging lute player in 2026!

Nick has also composed a folk-punk epic about Dracula's voyage to England called "A Sailor's Grave", which will be recorded live at the Boston Center for the Arts August 7th and 8th, and available for purchase as an album later in the fall. If you are near Boston, you can be a part of infusing the magic of live music into the album but if not, you can secure a copy here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/243560666/a-sailors-grave-captain-vampires-folk-punk-epic-poem 

The music of Captain Vampire is moving, filled with fascinating sources of inspiration, and often very fun and humorous as well. Be sure to check it all out here: https://captvampire.com/