Showing posts with label Nicole Laurel Asensio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nicole Laurel Asensio. Show all posts

Nicole Laurel Asensio is Shure Microphone’s first Philippine Brand ambassador for music.

When Nothing Is Certain, Stay With What You Love

At her core, Nicole is a storyteller—whether she’s interpreting a jazz standard, belting our classic rock or performing her own compositions in her home country or elsewhere in the world. Being named the first Filipina ambassador for Shure Microphones reflects more than an achievement, it’s a natural extension of her journey. This breakthrough marks a moment where timing, trust, and years of work come together—Nicole’s 20 years in music, Shure’s 100-year legacy, and JB Music’s 50 years excellence and supporting artists in the Philippines. Three milestones, Three Different journeys. One purpose. Shure celebrated their 100th year anniversary and new partnership with JB Music Philippines (who also celebrated their 50th anniversary) where Nicole performed as Shure’s launching artist, she was then named Shure’s first Filipina brand ambassador (for music).

Built to Last

For nearly a century, Shure has been part of those moments — when the voice has to carry, when the sound has to hold, when what’s being shared needs to be felt, not just heard. In those moments, Nicole writes and performs for the ones who sit with their feelings a little longer than most. The ones navigating reinvention. The ones healing quietly. The ones who live somewhere between nostalgia and now. That only happens when nothing gets in the way and people can focus on the music. “Reliable gear is a big factor—it makes me breathe and sing easier,” Nicole says.

In the Philippines, JB Music has spent 50 years making that possible, giving artists access to tools they can trust as they find their voice.

Now, that shared understanding comes together in Nicole’s partnership with Shure, as she takes the stage with the Super 55 (launching soon) — an iconic microphone rooted in decades of music history that stands as part of that continuity—where past and present meet to help all types of voices find their place.

From One Stage to Another

Filipino voices have always carried stories across borders. What’s burgeoning now is how far and fast they can reach others, how many of our stories get to be heard through song.  After all, what seeps into our consciousness isn’t just the performance… when our stories are told through song, the singing stays with us, reminding us that music is a phenomenal shared experience, carried from one listener to another, long after the stage lights fade.

Following her residency at Café Carlyle in Hong Kong, Nicole took the stage in Taipei, becoming the first Filipino artist to perform at Smith & Wollensky. From one room to another, the journey expands—without losing its center. When she performs abroad, she carries pieces of home with her. Sometimes in language. Sometimes in phrasing. Sometimes in something less visible, but deeply felt. There might be someone in the room who doesn’t understand every word — but understands exactly what she means.That exchange is the point. With a global presence that has long supported artists across borders, this partnership with Shure allows that exchange to travel further — amplifying the voice of local stories and carrying them onto wider audiences, without losing what makes them personal.

Music Never Dies, It Adapts

No one could have predicted how the world would shift and sway after the pandemic pause, years later, there seems to be a passionate resurgence for nightlife, but not just the kind we knew before, younger Filipinos have been embracing speakeasy culture, low wattage lighting and jazz. The streets of Manila glimmer madly under the newly installed neon signs and deep crimson glow of scores of venues putting on “jazz nights” across the metro. The perfect backdrop for a Shure Super 55.

“Both the local and global music scene is embracing a resurgence of the classics and jazz influences in modern music, Here in Manila, there have been so many “jazz nights” and speakeasies popping up across the metro, younger crowds stumble in ordering martinis and classic cocktails singing along to standards in dimly lit bars— like the olden golden days, It is an unexpected renaissance of the jazz age influence right about a century later with the quirks and complexities of modern day Filipino style— the perfect blend of old meets new.”  - Nicole

There were times when many questioned Nicole’s choice switching genres from her former rock inclinations, but who would have known that choice she made over a decade ago would take her exactly where she was meant to be today —  an influential figure amongst the younger ones in this realm, smiling ear to ear, Shure 55 in hand, knowing that perhaps surpassing the doubt from naysayers was worth it. After all, reinvention doesn’t mean that you no longer love other kinds of music, it simply means you’ve unlocked new parts of your story through other forms of artistry. It goes to show that even when nothing is certain, keep doing what you love. You never know how your own story goes unless you write it yourself.

Nicole Laurel Asensio makes her debut as the first Philippine-based resident artist at the Cafe Carlyle, Hong Kong beginning June 18

After 18 years as a singer, songwriter, actress and all around performer, Nicole’s timeless artistry and unique identity in modern day Jazz is stepping up to the world stage. Nicole is no stranger to performing for international audiences as she has participated in events and concerts in U.K., Barcelona, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Maldives, U.S.A, Shanghai, Tokyo to name a few, however this residency is definitely a first for her, and a first for performers born and raised in the Philippines. 

Beginning June 18 until July 12, 2025, Nicole will be the first Philippine-based recording artist/ performer to take an artist residency in the elite Café Carlyle, the live music venue inspired by its namesake in New York City, located in Carlyle & Co., a progressive private members’ club that’s part of the Rosewood Hotel Group, in Hong Kong. 

“Café Carlyle Hong Kong brings an unrivalled line-up of international names and unmatched talent to Hong Kong’s most intimate stage. This June we’re thrilled to introduce our newest Resident Artist, Nicole Laurel Asensio, for her Café Carlyle debut.” 

Nicole Laurel Set To Launch 'Mind Over Matter' On Jan 30

Multi-talented and multi-awarded artist, singer/composer Nicole Laurel Asensio is all set to launch ''Mind Over Matter,'' a musical concoction comprised of three vibrant original compositions that seep into the consciousness of a wandering psyche aching for atonement and acceptance. 

The launch date is on January 26, 2024 on all listening platforms. The launch event will be on , 2024 at 19 East located on East Service Road. With a special guest performance by ang Bagong Luto ni Enriquez and Iwi Laurel. 

Entrance is 500 pesos. 

The EP title “Matter Over Mind” is a play on the popular saying “Mind over matter” — the reversal of the words connotes that keeping one’s head up through the struggles is often easier said than done and sometimes we need to come undone and be honest with how we feel before picking up the pieces and moving on… "As we are blessed with a brand new year, I am reminded of what it took to get to this point, the hardships, failures and finding the guts to keep going,’' Nicole Laurel Asensio said. Thematically, “Matter Over Mind” also celebrates the resilience of human souls that have experienced hurt, God’s grace and the metamorphosis of “turning one’s scars into stars.” 

Nicole Laurel Asensio's New Song "Kiss Me Now" All Set For Sept 15 Release

"A first kiss is rarely ever planned. In a paradisiacal time and place… when emotions are ripe… it just happens." Multi-talented and multi-awarded artist NICOLE LAUREL ASENSIO is all set to release her latest single "KISS ME NOW." The original composition will be released on all digital platforms.  

BACK STORY

 "I’m not usually the type to let things just happen… but perhaps I was missing the thrill of the unknown… I needed a change of environment… so I hopped on a 3am bus alone to Baguio and booked myself an afternoon session in Openheaven recording studios for the first time. Producer Gabe Dandan (who I had co written with for my previous releases “Bawal” and “What Matters Most” was tapering off a Baguio series of gigs and met me at the studio to join in the collaboration. Initially I had planned to work on a different song, award-winning producer Shadiel Chan welcomed us into his studio and introduced me to his band," recalls Nicole. 

Nicole Laurel Set To Launch 'Bawal'

BAKIT MASARAP KAPAG BAWAL?

“Minsan nababaliw, 

Kadalasan ay lasing

Ayaw tanggapin

Na hindi ka nga akin.”

So, what’s it all worth?— does the poisoned vine indeed breed finer wine? — is this thing we “love” even worth fighting for? Perhaps if it was so “bawal” then maybe it wasn’t borne out of love at all… 

Bakit nga ba masarap kapag bawal?

It had been a little while since noted multi-talented Nicole Laurel got back in the recording cycle. She didn’t stop writing new songs. In fact, there are dozens in progress. For this upcoming single 'BAWAL,' she collaborated with a co-musician she had met nearly 9 years ago but never really had the opportunity to write with— guitarist/ multi-instrumentalist Gabe Dandan. During an impromptu jam, he put down the guitar and began playing keys. Nicole began humminhinstantaneous melody and lyrics— the initial songwriting for “Bawal” was done in about 30 minutes.