The Beatles, PJ Harvey, Brad Mehldau, Radiohead, Miles Davis, Tom Waits, Nirvana, Matt Chamberlain, Elliott Smith, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Hank Williams, Bill Evans, Death Cab for Cutie, Lucinda Williams, Jim Keltner, Fiona Apple, Bad Brains, Arvo Part, Johnny Cash, John Leventhal, Joseph Arthur, Leonard Cohen, Paul Motian, Shawn Colvin, NOFX, Kenny Buttrey, Modest Mouse, Neko Case, C.C.R., Jack DeJohnette, Bob Marley, Cocteau Twins, etc.
One positive thing about growing up in an isolated city with extremely cold winters, is the motivation to spend a lot of time inside experimenting with music. I moved from Winnipeg when I was eighteen to study Jazz drumming at Capilano College in North Vancouver, and have since stayed in Vancouver, continuing to play and work with a wide variety of musical projects.
In the last few years I've really enjoyed co-writing with quite a few people, and have had many resulting songs featured on Film/TV soundtracks. One of my favorite songs, 'Fool's Gold', written with Adrienne Pierce, was twice featured on ABC's Grey's Anatomy. I've also recently had placements on, The Hills, Army Wives, and Greek. Some of the other fine people I've written with are, Emily Jane, Motion Soundtrack, Lily Frost, Hannah Georgas, Eileen Roth, Marnie Mains, Ben Sigston, Carmen and Camille, and Nat Jay.
As a drummer I've gotten to perform and record with some pretty great people, in a wide variety of styles, including, Marcy Playground, Jane Siberry, Kelly Rowland (Destiny's Child), Motion Soundtrack, Adrienne Pierce, Christa Couture, Hannah Georgas, Nat Jay, and Lily Frost. I have also worked with such producers as Thom Russo (Audioslave, Macy Gray), Mike Fraser (AC/DC, Aerosmith), Jeff Dawson (Daniel Powter, Kelly Rowland), Bill Bell (Jason Mraz, Tara McLean), Brenndan McGuire (Sam Roberts, Sloan), John Shepp (Matthew Good, Gob) Mathew Yelton (Pixies, Frank Black) and Futcher (The Be Good Tanyas, Christa Couture).
Though most of my recent playing has been in more commercial genres, I have also regularly performed in the Vancouver International Jazz Festival with such artists as Bruno Hubert, Steve Fisk, Gord Grdina, and George McFetrich, as well as having recorded with Experimental Jazz artists Marilyn Lerner and Peggy Lee.
hey Niko! just stopping by to say hi and listen to some tracks! sounds great! hope you're having a nice summer! talk to you again soon! Cheers from Victoria! -Riley Smith
Yes, lets! BTW, great job as always. I don't know how I'm gonna go back to playing on a regular-sized stage though - and only gigs for 1000+ crowds from now on please!
thanks for dropping in, come by again in the future i change the tunes (& styles) often. in the meantime please check out and vote for my orchestral remix of "Nude" from the new Radiohead record!
jajaja.. Let me fix that, so you guys can go post lots of comments... I do need some cheering up on that space, for its too new.. I will need some promotion LOL
jajaja, YEP! Emily... By the way, Mr. Nico, have you been to my music myspace yet??? :( Got no critics, suggestions or insults :d LOL I know its all home made recordings, nothing proffesional, but Id be thrilled to hear from you guys about the music!!! :D :D :D
oh i'm glad you're pleased! i thought mailing it was a bit tacky, but i knew it'd get to you sooner that way than me figuring out when to hand deliver it : )
and mr friesen, it is YOU that I am grateful too. i think it sounds great too. we rock!
oh don't worry I'll copy paste them if you like jajaja LOL...
Well, is just that I've been listening to your music player, totally love these songs, I've been a fan of your songs without knowing you've cowritten them. And also, I have a weakness for "Don't go yet" jeje. And many more lets say, so you keep on writing, and hope to keep in touch with such an artist.
Ahem,, i do believe Mr Friesen that when we last played in real life I spanked your bottom so hard it likely still hasn't recovered,,, if in fact that's what you're referring to... :) x
