Minimum champion is the solo act of STFLR frontman Nick Lopardo. The project is a study of one person’s drive to write the best songs that he possibly can.  An undying love for the craft and passion for creativity are the driving factors behind the music.

We had the chance to ask minimum champion some questions as part of The Refrain Interview Series. Check it out below.

Refrain Music Blog: Thanks for taking the time to do this interview. You have a new single out now. Tell us about it? What’s it called? 

MC: Thanks for letting me do this! The single is called Strangers.

RMB: What’s the single about? 

MC: The single is about someone shutting you out of their life with no explanation or communication. With a decision like that, you’d think that there might be regrets or second guessing, but there’s also this other side to the situation for the person left behind. It’s aggressively cutting ties without thinking about the repercussions of the decision.

RMB: What’s the story on how it was recorded?

MC: I recorded the album at Westfall Recording Studio in Farmingdale NY with co-owner, producer and engineer Anthony Lopardo. I wrote these songs over the course of 15 years and me and Anthony would always discuss ideas about recording solo songs together. I finally felt like I had 4 songs that were ready to be recorded. I also reached out to my cousin Dan DelVecchio (guitarist in Don’t Believe in Ghosts/Neon Skyline), who I’ve been collaborating with since I was a teenager. Additionally, my good friend Gina Ribando also helped with vocals on the Untitled track, which happens to be the first song I ever wrote, so that was very special to me. We only had 3 days to record this EP, so although the recording process was expedited, these songs have been with me for well over a decade.

RMB: Is it part of a larger album?

MC: The single is a part of the larger EP, titled The Follower, which came out on October 7th, 2022.

RMB: How does this single differ from your previous work?

MC: It’s different in the fact that I wrote the song completely by myself, as opposed to with my band, STFLR. Sonically, it’s more toned down than my body of work, which is more in the pop-punk genre.

RMB: Tell us a little bit about yourself. When did you start pursuing music?

MC: I started drum lessons at 10 years old and picked up guitar and taught myself at 14. I started writing songs when I was in my first year of college. I wound up taking a hiatus from music between 2010-2013. I felt that I had ‘missed the boat’ on being able to pursue music professionally, however the hiatus helped me realize that I’m creating music as an outlet and a source of happiness and I don’t necessarily need my job title to be attached to that. Aside from Minimum Champion, I also sing in the pop punk band STFLR based in Long Island NY.

RMB: Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

MC: My biggest influences are The Beatles, Blink-182, John Moreland, Orville Peck and Billy Joel. Depending on what I’m writing and the mood that I’m in, it could be any of those people.

RMB: What’s the one thing you are most proud of in your career so far?

MC: This EP and realizing that I have the talent and confidence to be able to create music and write songs on my own.

RMB: If you had to pitch your music to a potential fan in less than 10 seconds, what would you say?

MC: If you’re looking to connect with music on a level where you can relate to not only the lyrics but the emotions conveyed throughout the song, then you’ve come to the right place.

RMB: What’s one piece of advice you’ve gotten that you think everyone needs to hear or that has meant the most to you?

MC: I love the advice, “Trust your instincts” and “If you believe in your ideas, fight to make it work”. The idea that we’re passionate about something and not giving up when we’re presented with challenges. I have songs and riffs that have been in my head for years, and they come in handy for future projects. It might take 10 minutes, 10 hours or 10 years, but stick with it.

RMB: If you could go back in time, what’s a piece of advice you would give to a younger you?

MC: “Have patience”

RMB: What’s coming up next for your musical project?

MC: I’m currently writing a song that I plan to release on my 35th birthday. It’s titled “35” and shockingly enough it’s my thoughts on turning “35”.

RMB: If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?

MC: Dan Campbell, John Moreland or Mark Hoppus. What an honor that would be.

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