Bizou
NICOLE FIORENTINO
Return To The Spotlight By Jon D’Auria | Photos by ZB Images
IN
2010, Nicole Fiorentino’s life changed forever when it was announced that she was the new bassist for alternative rock legends Smashing Pumpkins. She was no stranger to the limelight, having previously been a member of other popular rock acts such as Veruca Salt, Spinnerette, and Light FM. Similarly, that same year she also formed the band The Cold And Lovely, which made for a nonstop touring schedule and also put Fiorentino’s writing and recording skills to the test. She went on to release Teargarden by Kaleidyscope (2010) and Oceania (2012) with Smashing Pumpkins, and The Cold And Lovely’s self-titled debut (2012) and Ellis Bell (2013). She was up for the test, and delivered massive bass performances on each of the al-
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bums, while solidifying her prolific stature as a bass player. Fiorentino’s magnetic stage presence and staggering tone made her stand out and become a favorite among fans of both bands. When we had a chance to discuss her playing with Billy Corgan, the Smashing Pumpkins frontman likened her style to that of Chris Squire of Yes, an incisive comparison given Fiorentino’s strong rhythmic propulsion and her cutting midrange sound. She continued to develop a mature musical identity with both of her musical outlets, but in 2014 she announced that she was departing from the Pumpkins lineup, and in 2016 it was revealed that The Cold And Lovely would be taking an indefinite hiatus. The non-stop touring and studio schedule that she had grown accustomed to had
