Nick Amling & The Lifeline

As they started working on this EP over the beginning of 2023, the Nashville-based rockers Nick Amling & The Lifeline dropped their latest EP Roll The Dice on the 24th of November 2023. Recorded at the Blackbird Studios, Roll The Dice brings an authentic rock n roll experience with a modern unmistakable touch. Let me tell you more about it.

Nick Amling & The Lifeline opened Roll The Dice with the rocking groovy tune Creatures, cementing their deep roots in the world of rock n roll. It has a powerful flow with an irresistible energetic sound, powered by some wild guitar work, pounding heavy drums, deep bass, and a super catchy vocal melody, all in an extremely dynamic structure that had me totally hooked. Give Me Nothing comes next steering towards a slower, heavier sound, with thick riffs, a big bass-ey wall of sound, and jazzy interesting drumming feeding a slow, hard-hitting pace in a heavy structure with building-up twists and turns that maintained the song’s heaviness without losing its core catchy essence. So Long boosts the EP’s energy once again with fast engaging riffs, engaging in a relentlessly moving structure with subtle dynamic shifts that add lots of weight to the song’s flow with pounding, slow sections that evolve again smoothly into fast, driving riffs in an enjoyable dynamic rollercoaster. The title track builds on its predecessor’s pace and energy, adding a more detailed sound to Nick Amling & The Lifeline‘s mix. Their hooking, blasting sound shines throughout Roll The Dice’s changing structure, pushing forward towards a big, open sound with a groovy flow that’s pretty approachable to a wide range of audiences. Midnight Emotion comes at the end with a twist, showing a different side of Nick Amling & The Lifeline‘s writing as they offer such a deeply emotional piece. The heartfelt opening vocal melody powerfully projects the song’s touching nature, delivering the perfect emotions to the listener as it escalates in a ramp progression into a spacious sound, till it peaks ending the EP on a high note.

Roll The Dice is a solid EP with a hooking dynamic flow, it shows Nick Amling & The Lifeline‘s attention to detail and well-knowledge of their sound and direction as they cleverly mixed their rocking old-school influences with their modern original touch creating something unique and their own. Looking forward to more from Nick Amling & The Lifeline, keep on rocking guys. Cheers! - Rock Era Magazine

Nick Amling & The Lifeline band bring an electrifying sound to life with their anticipated EP, "Roll the Dice". Coming out of the musical center of Nashville, Tennessee, guitarist and singer Nick Amling along with robust drummer Andy Baker, delivers a sonic thrill ride echoing influences from rock legends such as The Foo Fighters, Jack White, and Nirvana.

Known for explosive live shows the duo's chemistry is evident, creating an energy amplifying the volume and force of their music. Recorded at the prestigious Blackbird Studios in Nashville, the EP represents the band's commitment to the roots of their favorite genres.

The five-track, 17 minute and 50 second EP kicks off with the fast-paced anthem "Give Me Nothing," a bold song about breaking free of poisonous elements in life. Their signature hard-hitting sound is clear throughout, exhibiting the band's talent for crafting resonant songs with both depth and power.

Collaborations with Grammy-winning engineer Brendan Dekora and acclaimed Dan Konopka of OK Go marked The Lifelines path to "Roll the Dice". The EP comes after the success of previous singles "Creature"s and a cover of Arthur Crudup's "That's All Right", earning praise from fans and musicians alike. - EARMILK

Originally hailing from New Jersey and now based in Nashville, Tennessee, Nick Amling & The Lifeline is a rock n’ roll duo who truly bring the noise. Formed by guitarist and vocalist Nick Amling and drummer Andy Baker, the pair blend a mix of blues, hard rock, alternative rock and classic rock to craft their own original sound.

Their influences stem from a range of artists, from The Foo Fighters, Jack White, and Nirvana to Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown, Rush, Led Zeppelin, The Pretty Reckless and Royal Blood. Over the past couple of years, they’ve made an impact with releases like the debut single “Creatures” and the sophomore track “That’s All Right,” earning accolades from listeners and praise from artists such as Kelsy Karter, Adam Slack and Nick Perri.

Now, they bring us their highly anticipated debut EP, Roll The Dice, recorded at the iconic Blackbird Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. Featuring five tracks that present the perfect run through of their modern bluesy rock sound, the EP kicks off with their debut track “Creatures,” serving up a superb sound of gritty guitars, pounding drums and compelling vocal leads. Full of crunchy guitar work and memorable hooks, the track delivers an energising sound of invigorating rock music.

“Give Me Nothing” follows with a fuzzy riff capped by slick guitar note runs before settling into a downtempo groove, written about breaking free from the things in life that are toxic, cause strife and hold us back. With a hazy aesthetic, punching rhythm and brooding vocal leads, it’s a moody rock jam that builds to a rousing guitar solo and epic finale.

With “So Long” they pick up the pace again with a swaggering rock n’ roll cut brimming with lively guitar work, striking drums and superb vocals. With a powerful breakdown, splashy drums drive a half time rhythm as chugging guitars and haunting vocal lines collide before rising back to the energetic crescendo. Title track “Roll The Dice” serves up an anthemic sound of grooving guitar riffs and atmospheric vocals soaring above.

The EP closes with “Midnight Emotion,” revealing the poignant side of the pair’s songwriting with sombre clean guitar plucks and hushed vocals crafting an emotive soundscape. Half way through, the song explodes into a raucous dose of crunchy guitar chords and leads to create a robust conclusion to the band’s incredible debut EP.

Commenting on the release, they share, “This EP gave us great insight into what amazing things we can create as a band, and we hope it inspires our listeners as much as it does for us.” - Plastic Magazine

In a striking display of transcontinental musical synergy, Nick Amling & The Lifeline's latest EP, "Roll the Dice," just hit the airwaves on November 24th, 2023. Hailing from different corners of the country, Nick Amling in Nashville, TN, and Andy in Boston, MA, the duo defies geographical barriers, crafting an EP that not only embodies the raw essence of rock but also serves as a testament to the power of virtual collaboration.

The EP's creation is a narrative in itself, unfolding over video chats and voice memos, a testament to the resilience and adaptability of artists navigating the challenges of distance. The culmination occurred in May 2023 at Nashville's iconic Blackbird Studios, where the duo transformed their virtual musings into a tangible rock masterpiece, laying down tracks in a mere three hours.

"Roll the Dice" seamlessly borders the line of harder rock, offering listeners a journey characterized by emotive and emphatic vocals, solid drumming, and a contemporary rock vibe that resonates with both authenticity and modernity. Nick Amling's vocal delivery stands out as a commanding force, infusing each track with a fervor that captures the essence of rock's emotive power.

The EP's title track, "Roll the Dice," serves as an anthem for risk-takers and those willing to embrace the unpredictable nature of life. The storytelling within each track is a testament to the band's ability to craft narratives that resonate with the human experience. The lyrics are not just words but echoes of shared emotions, delivered with a fervency that adds depth to the overall sonic tapestry.

One of the EP's highlights is its ability to showcase the band's versatility within the rock genre. From choruses that invite sing-alongs to moments of sonic intensity, Nick Amling & The Lifeline navigate the spectrum of rock, providing a diverse listening experience. The EP becomes a showcase of the band's dynamic range, proving that they are adept at crafting music that resonates with a broad audience.

The drumming on "Roll the Dice" serves as a rhythmic backbone, propelling the tracks forward with precision and energy. The drum elements contribute to the EP's overall sense of urgency and dynamism, creating a landscape that keeps the listener engaged from start to finish.

Despite the physical distance, this record results in a collection of tracks that not only reflects their individual artistry but also reveals the magic that happens when like-minded musicians come together. It’s 5 tracks and nearly 20 minutes of rock brilliance, so please, click those links below to get into it all! - We Write About Music

What was the creative process like for this particular 'Roll The Dice?'

This project developed while Nick was living in Nashville, TN, and Andy was living in Boston, MA. We were writing together through facetime, voice memos, and messages until we were finally able to get together to record the EP in Nashville, TN, at Blackbird Studios.

Which song do you like the best and why?

We think that either “Give Me Nothing” or “Midnight Emotion” are our favorites. For “Give Me Nothing,” it’s all about the attitude and raw energy that gets us so inspired. On the other hand, Midnight has the most interesting story in terms of writing and recording, which makes that raw and emotional piece really special to us.

How does 'Roll The Dice' fit into your overall artistic vision?

We believe that this EP gave us a really good starting point on how we want to move forward artistically as a band. For this project, we were drawing inspiration from the greats like Led Zeppelin and Nirvana, wanting to achieve a proper rock n roll sounding record, like the ones we grew up on. Going forward, we’d really like to explore sonically and see what different things we can achieve together.

Where do you find inspiration for your songs or musical ideas?

I often find inspiration for lyrics when taking walks in nature and when I’m really in tune with my emotions. Actually, most of the EP lyrics were written at Centennial Park in Nashville, TN, a place that I find is overflowing with concepts to write about. For our musical ideas, listening to artists we really love and playing around with different sonic concepts is really inspiring to us.

What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced as a band, and how did you overcome them?

By far the biggest challenge we’ve faced is trying to write and stay connected from different locations of the country. Video Chats and swapping voice memos are what really help us grow as a band living so far apart from each other. - Punk Head