For two decades and across 16 countries, Nicole Asensio has inhabited many stages and many genres — Rock, Jazz, Classical, Soul, Blues — earning her place as a multi-awarded performer and recording artist.
But beneath the lights and glamour, there is another Nicole.
This is an invitation to meet her, to peel away the personas. Strip the music down to its bones — find a space somewhere between pen, paper, and soul.
Over one intimate evening, Nicole opens a collection of 20 songs, chosen from hundreds written through the years.
The first set, “Pen to Performance,” traces ten compositions that have been released over the last decade, replaced and reimagined in a mire intimate form.
The second set, “Unspoken and Unseen,” ventures into spoken word, unfinished compositions, fragments of ideas, and a few reimagined songs you may never have known Nicole wrote.
Some songs might be familiar.
Some will be hearing themselves aloud for the first time.
And perhaps, in the spaces between them, we might remember something of our own unfinished selves.
This intimate gathering of spirits — for those longing to rekindle the embers of creativity within — takes place at the official opening weekend of the brand-new second-floor space at 78 Salcedo. A larger room for larger-than-life performances, designed without sacrificing what matters most: intimacy, presence, and the rare luxury of truly listening.
On September 19 – 7pm at 78-45-33 San Agustin Street, Salcedo Village Makati — Come closer.
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.
Photo credits:
Rham Canlas / Midnight Dream Studio (yellow background) Daniel Tan (guitars background) Deizz Monteloyola / Midnight Dream Studio (books background) Jeff Cabiling / Rham Canlas / Midnight Dream Studio (spotlight and gray background)
Nicole Laurel Asensio, a celebrated Filipina singer, songwriter, and actress, is taking a bold new stride on the global stage as she becomes the first-ever Philippine-based resident artist at Café Carlyle Hong Kong, starting June 18 to July 12, 2025. This groundbreaking residency places Nicole in the spotlight of one of Asia’s most exclusive live music venues—an artistic sanctuary inspired by the legendary Café Carlyle in New York City and nestled within the ultra-chic Carlyle & Co. at the Rosewood Hotel.
This milestone is a career-defining moment for Nicole, who has spent the last 18 years captivating audiences from Barcelona to Bangkok, London to the Maldives. While she’s no stranger to international stages, her Café Carlyle residency marks a remarkable first: she is the first artist born and raised in the Philippines to hold such a position.
“Café Carlyle Hong Kong brings an unrivalled lineup 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.” — Café Carlyle Team
Where Timeless Jazz Meets a Modern Muse
The charm of Café Carlyle lies in its seamless blend of vintage elegance and cosmopolitan flair—an ideal match for Nicole, whose voice exudes old-soul richness fused with bold, contemporary artistry. Backed by a stellar lineup of world-class jazz musicians, Nicole will perform a 16-show run of genre-bending jazz and soul, delivering classics and reimagined standards with the fire and finesse only she can bring.
Joining her onstage is Gabe Dandan, a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and Nicole’s longtime collaborator. The duo promises a rich sonic tapestry—a fusion of heritage, passion, and world-class artistry.
A Dream Born of Serendipity
Nicole describes how the opportunity felt like pure fate:
“I had no manager or company backing this. I just booked a casual vacation to Hong Kong last February. That same day, I got a message on Instagram asking to arrange a call. It was Francisco Ricafort, the Director of Music and Artist Curation at Carlyle HK. He asked, ‘Why not present a Filipino artist to Café Carlyle?’”
Soon after submitting performance videos, Nicole received confirmation—just in time to catch a show by resident artist Sarah Potenza, a singer she deeply admires.
“As I stepped into Café Carlyle, I could feel the creative energy in every corner. I didn’t even need a cocktail to feel intoxicated,” Nicole recalls with a laugh. “To share the same stage as Sarah and others I look up to? It’s a dream coming to life before my very eyes.”
More Than Music: A Celebration of Culture
Café Carlyle isn’t just about music. It’s an experience. Nicole’s residency will feature a curated menu inspired by her heritage, created by Carlyle’s master chefs.
“I’m excited to see how they blend pieces of my story into their dishes—it’s an honor to have my culture shared not just through sound, but through taste,” she says.
For Nicole, this is more than just a gig—it’s a creative exchange.
“Every time I perform in another country, I bring a piece of home with me. And I take a piece of that place back, too. I’m honored to perform with musicians of this caliber and grateful to bring Gabe with me as a musical bridge between heritage and discovery.”
An Artist in Her Prime, A Legacy in the Making
Nicole Laurel Asensio’s upcoming residency at Café Carlyle Hong Kong is not only a major achievement in her career—it’s a proud moment for Philippine artistry on the world stage. With her undeniable talent, soul-stirring voice, and passion for storytelling through music, Nicole continues to inspire, break barriers, and raise the flag for Filipino musicians everywhere.
Don’t miss the magic. Catch Nicole live from June 18 to July 12, 2025, and witness the fusion of history, heritage, and high artistry in one unforgettable residency.
About Café Carlyle Hong Kong
Our greatest inspiration and legendary namesake are New York institution Café Carlyle, the quintessential supper club experience which has been bewitching guests and welcoming legends to tread its boards for 65 years. Café Carlyle Hong Kong represents only the second edition worldwide and captures this intangible spirit and unmatched live music experience to enrapture a new audience.
At Café Carlyle, you don’t get a concert, you share an experience. It’s here that Members, guests and friends spend their evenings enveloped in unforgettable musical moments on the city’s most intimate stage, where the very best shows combine music with personal storytelling for a truly connected evening in the most exclusive company. At last, the red velvet curtain is drawn once again.
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.”
The EP opens with “Comprehend,” a silky Neo-soul influenced tune with traces of modern and classic Rnb. It is written from the point of view of re-watching your life as a movie and seeing how each character either leaves or lingers through the seasons. The lyrical expressions and play on words are both poignant and poetic as they unfold the multi-layered process of healing from failed relationships. Although the lyrics might be bittersweet, most of the nectar is in the smooth arrangement that features thick vocal sections and an all saxophone section over a vibe-y beat.
“Vibecheck” is a sonic palette cleanser, a short and sweet reminder to check up on your loved ones. The chords and melody willingly settle in a cradle of gospel influences. Sung by Nicole Asensio, Kevin Yadao and Gabe Dandan, the short in-betweener is reminiscent of friends touching base and reminding each other not to worry because everything will eventually work out.
To complete the concoction
“Get it Right” is an English-Tagalog uptempo track that evokes funk, soul and jazz influences within its intricacies. Effervescent and light as it may be at first listen, it is also equally full-bodied as It sings of hidden tears and silent struggles hidden behind laughter and the longing to redeem oneself. The instrumentation is quite the indulgent thrill featuring a full live brass section, soulful piano and rhodes licks, a bouncy backbeat and a plush vocal section.
CREATIONS, SENSATIONS and SENSIBILITIES
Nicole Asensio and Gabe Dandan’s writing tandem has proven prolific as this collection of tracks were all born out of impromptu jams caught on record.
“This collection of songs all began with impromptu jams. Nicole, me and our drummer Nigel Norris (who is currently in Europe) influences of artists we admire (like Steely Dan, Robert Glasper and Erykah Badu) set the tone for the initial jam session. We recorded the outcome in Southbay studio and Nicole developed her top-line ideas into lyrics and melodies, and later recorded her vocals with the help of recording engineer Mikel Miller. The arrangement blossomed as we would revisit each track daily and see what we could add or subtract. Because the chordal structure has its quirks and complexities, it was important to pay attention to detail. Renowned saxophone player Michael Guevarra did the horns arrangement for “Get it Right” and I did an impromptu arrangement alongside saxophone player Joeffrey Pangilinan for “Comprehend” “Vibecheck” was written in less than an hour. Nicole then sent it to our friend Kevin Yadao for additional vocals.” – Gabe Dandan
“The vocal arrangements where done in spare minutes between the busy gig season and late night production sessions. Gabe and I both agreed to give the harmonies unique colours to add a dose of something different in what may at first seem familiar sonically.” – Nicole Laurel Asensio
“Mixing and Mastering the EP was for me the most meticulous part, I really felt that this EP was closer to my heart than many projects I have had the pleasure of producing so I wanted to mix and master it myself, even if I was new to the craft. Nicole trusted me and obliged, she was also there for every step and adjustment, I think we work well together, not just as co-writers, but for the entire production and post-production process.” -Gabe Dandan
“For a number of years now, my musical inclination has been a blend of old and new, classic and current. I feel that sticking to one kind of sound or genre isn’t really for me, I like to create what feels right in that moment in time and in that particular frame of mind while still leaving something familiar, perhaps in the vocal interpretation and inflections. and I feel like Gabe has similar sensibilities. Like Gabe, my favourite thrill is also creating songs from impromptu jams, this to me is priceless, the amalgamation of time, place, emotion and taste coming together.” – Nicole Laurel Asensio
“Timelessness is more appealing to me than trends, It is an exciting process to see how we can make our own version of the music we grew up liking. Traces of funk, Neo-soul, RnB, jazz and gospel are evident throughout the songs, but perhaps what makes its flavour unique is savouring the the thematic choices and nuances that unfold with each tune.” – Gabe Dandan
“This year I feel like a lot of pent up songs and stories need to be told, while the inspiration is at a fever pitch, it’s important to express, produce, create and grow from each artistic pursuit. I am looking forward to releasing more songs, perhaps in “suites” of two, three or more songs at a time to explore more themes. God willing, there will be a full album to look forward to in the coming months too.” Till then I am grateful for every tidbit of music that comes my way I greatly appreciate every person that lends their ears to the stories we tell and will continue to create for as long as I can. – Nicole Laurel Asensio
“Yes! A full album! One thing I look forward to is how these songs are built from on-the-spot writing, it is an exercise in keeping an open mind and being adaptable to where the process takes you. We wrote a number of songs inside the recording studios, and it is perhaps an unusual process, but one we both have learned to embrace. Surprising ourselves and others with the musical fruit of impromptu sessions. I am grateful to scratch the surface of possibilities with “Matter Over Mind” and looking forward to the flow of creativity to come.” – Gabe Dandan
