Tell us a little about yourself?
I started Nice Humans music project in 2013 as a way to stay mentally healthy by setting free all the melodies and rhythms trapped in my head, so they could settle into the heads of others. The journey started from playing toy instruments at the age of 4, then real drums at the age of 16, bringing home threats to sue from my downstairs neighbours. That pushed me out to practice in a garage, a classic move which led to friends joining and forming of bands. For a while I had 5 different ones, experimenting with multiple genres, when something shifted at the age of 21: a friend lent me an electric guitar. Hours spent in the basement messing with that guitar, synths, beats and basslines was the recorded beginnings of Nice Humans.
How did you come up with your artist name?
I met lots of musicians during my travels, who directly influenced the music I make, learned a lot from them and some of them collaborate on the project as singers.
Especially now, more than ever, we need more nice humans, people that focus on what we share in common and understand that different doesn’t imply something bad or that it is a threat.
I wrote this so people don’t miss the intended meaning behind the name:
Nice Humans doesn’t mean that all humans are nice.
Nice Humans doesn’t mean that the musicians behind Nice Humans are nice.
Nice Humans means that if you are a human you have the potential to be nice.
Please exercise your right to be a Nice Human by respecting and taking care of others & yourself.
Imagine how much time would we save on not having to argue about bullshit like racism, homophobia, or religion.
How long have you been in the music industry?
I have been practising music in one way or another for about 15 years, doing occasional gigs, lessons and playing on different projects, but I started focusing on Nice Humans, as my main project, about 4 years ago, releasing my first single (One By One) under that name in May 2020. So, strictly speaking, I’ve been in the music industry as an independent artist for just under 1 year.
How did you get started in the music business in the first place?
I needed money to pay for percussion lessons, so I had to do gigs. It was a healthy loophole.
How would you describe your latest single?
My last work, an EP called High Place Phenomenon, describes that feeling I have sometimes, where I wonder what would happen if I jump off a bridge or turn the steering wheel onto the opposite road. It’s not a suicidal thought or willing death, it may be about the rush of adrenaline the moments before, it’s an intrusive thought that you decide to let go.
When can fans expect the visuals for the single?
I most likely won’t do any videos for this EP, at least for now, I am working on new material that will have video.
Who are your inspirations in the music industry?
People like Jacob Collier or Adam Neely, that are able to do good quality content and release music often.
How do you go about writing a song and what is your process?
It changes on every song, like they are little own worlds I discover on the way to just having fun with music. Sometimes It will start in my head and then I will write it down on a memo note or straight into the piano roll. Sometimes I don’t have a specific goal, and I’m just messing around and beautiful stuff will start happening and It will get all my attention. I don’t like to have a setup – all the same way, process because my creativity its unpredictable, always morphing and I consider it to be a good thing.
What is the concept behind your forthcoming project if working on one?
Bells, lots of bells, hang drums, moondrums and dancy rythms.
Any plans on touring to promote your latest single?
Not right now. But there are plans to retake the stages on Sept – October if we can all get vaccinated around July (I hope).
What did you buy with your first check off music?
I was 14, so I paid my percussion teacher (who actually gave me the gig to earn that money).
What are must-haves when your in the studio working?
Water, weed, spare cables & spare drum sticks.
What is the best piece of advice in this business you actually followed?
If it sounds good, it’s good.
Will you be collaborating with any other artists in the future?
100% Sure.
What artist have you had the pleasure of working with, and what was it like?
I had the pleasure to work with both of the singers from The Microband for my latest EP release “High Place Phenomenon” and it was great, we became friends after that.
Name an artist(s) that you would love to work with?
Thom Yorke. Let him know.
Do you think your music is mostly enjoyed more for the beats or for the lyrical flow and content?
BASS.
What area do you need to improve on in regards to your career? (Example: Better production, Delivery, Stage presence, etc.)
I need to get better at social media.
By making music I get better at production every day, so that worries me now half as much as it used to and I can make music faster.
What’s your all-time favourite song?
This is not an easy question, man.
What was the last album you listened to?
Long Stories by Amon Tobin
Your favourite artist of all time and why?
This is the question I jump.
Who’s your favourite five artists right now?
Rival Consoles
Amon Tobin
Thys
Burial
Floating Points
In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?
I’m giving this credit to James Blake. He produces and sings his own music and has been in the game for 10 years, being consistent with quality and releases.
Who have been some of your favourite artists that you’ve been able to work with?
Sofia Andreou
Alana Carew
Alex Auldsmith
Svatá Luciá
How do you feel about the current state of music?
I feel lucky to live in this era with so much music coming out every day and being so easy to make music at home, In that sense, I’m happy, at the same time, there is an unfair massive difference between the revenue we get as an artist compared with the huge cut the streaming sites take.
Any dream award shows you hope to one day play at?
It’s not something I am interested in but it would be a great promo 🙂
What is your main goal as far as music?
To be able to make a decent income from it, so I’ll have more time and deliver more of it.
Who would you say your music relates to the most?
Other musicians and people that love electronic music. Catchy bass lines and syncopated rhythms are good for your health!
What separates you from other artists? (What’s makes you different?)
I can move the nostrils of my nose as I will.
When your not in the studio, What do you like to do for fun and relaxation?
Play some games, either board games with my friends or co-op videogames with the projector. Shout out to companies that make co-op games to be played on the same screen!
If you could work with any producer who would it be?
There are so many, I’ll take Kevin Parker for this one.
What’s the biggest highlight of your career thus far?
On my career as a musician, playing the drums for 10k people. With Nice Humans, having 6k streams as an unsigned artist, the only way is up!
What is your dream venue to perform at?
I prefer to perform in a smaller venue, which is packed with all the right people, as opposed to playing for a stadium. I like my gigs more intimate.
What’s the name of the last book you read and by whom?
Why We Sleep, Mathew Walker.
What’s your favourite sports team and why?
I don’t really care for sports. I’d rather spend that time making more music.
Who’s favourite actor or actress and their best movie?
I don’t have one but I have recently watched The Sinner and loved Bill Pullman (from Lost Highway) as detective Ambrose.
Name someone famous who inspires you and why?
I’ll take Damon Albarn for this one because how versatile he is and the great motly records he has made over the years.
What can we expect from you in the future?
More music and collaborations with artists across the globe. A live set as soon as we can get vaccinated and play live again.
Where can the fans check out for your music?
Over at www.nicehumansofficial.com you can find all my music and links to social media.
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