Nicholas Unchained

01/31/2026

Hello friends. It's been a while.

I had the opportunity to help out my show partner Gus the bardic troubadour on a new song he wrote. I'm so proud of him, and honored that he asked for my assistance.

Also. This page is not usually political, and it will stay that way, as human rights aren't a political issue, they are a necessity for life.

**O

Heyo friends!

I'm excited to announce that the studio version of G**O is now publicly available!
I created a little lyric video for the launch:

https://youtu.be/GpcKe8KIOe0?si=NwXgbzUQCc1qw3Xh

G**O is a folk-punk / Irish rebel style protest song written in response to ICE activity in our community, the killing of Renée Good, and the lies that followed. It’s a song about grief, anger, and refusing to accept violence and fear as normal.

The response to the original TikTok I made for this song has been overwhelming in the best way, and I’m incredibly grateful to all of the local musicians who helped bring this recorded version to life, as well as Dastardly Records for recording and producing it:

Chris Murphy: Lyricist, Lead Vocals, and Acoustic Guitar
John Meilner: Banjo, mandolin, bouzouki, and backup vocals
Matthew Sudduth: Bass, baritone horn, and backup vocals
Micahjosiah "MJ" Borreson: Lead Guitar and backup vocals
Kyle Holder: Drums and Percussion
Izzy Schroeder: Violin
Joscelyn Buchwald: Vocals
Adonteng Akore: Backup Vocals
Robb Hollyday: Himself

Recorded in Minneapolis, MN January 2026.
Recorded, mixed, and mastered by: Erik Foote & Bryan Steenerson.

G**O is available to download for free on my Website and Bandcamp:
Website: https://gusthebard.com/music
Bandcamp: https://gusthebard.bandcamp.com/

It is also currently available on all major streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Music:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0j85wo6nyKBwVvDkprmNXM
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/gus-the-bardic-troubadour/1825464420

Thank you for listening, and for allowing me to step out of character to create something a bit different from my usual work.

Art by AJ the Illustrator:
https://www.instagram.com/aj_the_illustrator

09/10/2025

Thank you so much for the lovely photos, my friend!

09/08/2025

Where might you find me throughout the day at MNRF?Why, I am sooooo glad you asked!

930: Nicholas the Unchained on Bad Manor Green
11 and 1230: Slapstick Fairytales on the Witchwood stage
130: Wine 'n' Wits at Banner Oak Inn (21+ ticketed event)
330: Nicholas Unchained on Bad Manor Green

3 more weekends, my dear friends!

08/17/2025

Couple of idiots playing dress up in the woods.

Catch us at 930 and 330 on bad manor green, every weekend through September!

08/08/2025

Just over a week away now friends!

08/06/2025

Just a little rehearsal between friends....

Little less than 2 weeks, folks! Find us at MNRF on Bad Manor Green, 930 AM and 330 pm!

07/30/2025

Hello friends. It's been a while.

So, originally I had planned to have a slightly busier summer of escape stunts and comedy shows. And then The Author went and made his outside life very busy with other things (he bought a house and hid me in the basement). But now that August is almost upon us, it is once again time to ...ahem... *Escape* the real world and return to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival!

Starting August 16, you'll be able to see my brand new Escape Stunt Comedy show every day of the festival, at 930am and 330pm, at Bad Manor Green. I'll be debuting 3 new escapes this season, and hopefully a whole lot of fun.

I'm so excited to see you all very soon! In fact. I'm all tied up in preparations!

03/01/2025

Silly props for my thumb cuffs.

12/27/2024

I promise to get better at doing the whole social media posting. But! I had a lovely time at Fearless Lab earlier this month! Thank you to Eric James for allowing me to try out this new stunt, and to my lovely and talented helpers Iz and I am for trying to tie me up! Here's to an exciting 2025, and new opportunities to entertain you all with stupid jokes about ropes and straitjackets!