For todays artist interview we welcome US Artist Niko Marks, his recent record has been on repeat for us since it dropped so lets find out a little more about him.
Where do we find you now?
Being that I still love to record and the whole process of creating, one can find me in a studio in or around the Detroit area working on new music. I've been doing a ton of keyboard work for Kevin Saunderson and his Inner City unit as well as performing live with the group.
Can you tell us a bit about your new record and how it came together?
My new release came together after having a great performance with Kevin Saunderson and the Saunderson Brothers. While experiencing the energy of the crowd a voice inside my head that seemed louder than everything else said, “Make an album for folks to dance to, vibe with and elevate!" I knew that it had to have elements of high energy without being too overwhelmed with effects to bring it into fruition. I wanted to allow the music space enough to breathe and not be smothered with an overload of my ego wanting to play all sorts of stuff.
Can you describe a moment or experience that initially sparked your passion for music and how it continues to inspire you today?
One huge moment that sparked my passion for music was when it was shared with me that Stevie Wonder held me as a baby and told everyone that I had special hands. He also made note of how I moved around a lot as though being uptight. Stevie later wrote one of his first big hits called, ‘Uptight” but, I won’t take credit for that (Lol). In 2012, I had the pleasure of reuniting with him and asked if he remembered holding me, being around the Marks family and commenting on my baby hands. Surprisingly, he answered with an emphatic, “yes”!
Are there any lesser-known electronic music artists you feel deserve more attention, and why do their work resonate with you?
As far as artists that deserve more attention, I feel that I’m that person. Yes, I am tooting my own horn mainly because there has been far too many times when my work has gone unnoticed especially my work on other artists projects. Partly because I don’t create for self aggrandizement however, after several years of contributing to the world of music it would be nice to know that as a creator, you are appreciated.
How do you maintain a balance between staying true to your artistic vision and adapting to the ever-changing landscape of the music industry?
To keep true to my artistic vision and maintain balance in this ever changing industry of music, I don’t subscribe to competing with what is considered relevant to others, musically speaking. I keep in mind that one must first be in tune with self and come from the heart with creative works. Of course, making certain technological adjustments and participating with social media help lend balance to artistic presence.
What role does improvisation play in your creative process, and can you share a memorable instance when it led to an unexpected breakthrough?
As a musician, Improvisation is many times key in coming up with something great. Often times ideas are driven by what was recorded in a band rehearsal or sequenced patterns from a workstation or DAW. In fact, one of my best songs, “Sunshine” started off with me simply improvising a chord progression without the intention of doing anything with it.
Are there any non-musical influences, such as visual art, literature, or personal experiences, that have significantly shaped your work?
There are definitely non-musical influences that impact my work. I love nature and the peace I experience in the very early morning when birds are first chirping and singing. Scenes of the changing seasons and waterfalls assist in the creation of smooth calm compositions; while scenery of rough and desolate areas in Detroit spark more aggressive sounding works. One of my tracks called, “Keep Your Head” was significantly the result of losing a family member.
How do you approach the challenge of translating your recorded music into engaging live performances, and what elements do you consider essential for a successful show?
Primarily, my live shows come together with use of a few pre-recorded stems of the set material, 2 keyboards, live drums, female vocalist and live bass. Having at least one keyboard, pre-recorded rhythms and great audio engineers are essential.
What advice would you give to aspiring electronic music artists looking to develop their own unique sound and style?
Advice for aspiring electronic music artists would be to gravitate to the form/style of the genre that best resonates with you, listen to your favorite established artists in that style and try to be unique in what you formulate musically.
Can you discuss the impact of technology on your music, and how you see emerging tools and platforms shaping the future of electronic music?
Technology definitely has an impact on how music is being created today. I had almost lost myself for a while trying to keep up with all of the new gear that continues to be made available; However, I began to realize that if I continued to involve too much technology with the creative process, that it would soon be the technology making the music and not me creating it; kind of like human switching places with the robot…and we haven’t even begun speaking about ChatGPT.
What's a project or collaboration that you're particularly proud of, and what did you learn from the experience?
One collaboration and project that I am proud of is with Idris Elba and Inner City. The project Is titled, “We All Move Together” where I am responsible for most of the keyboard work for the tracks. The experience showed me a few more approaches to vocal layering and recording narration. It was a fun yet, serious session as we all moved together! Thank you for the opportunity, Idris & Kevin!
How do you stay motivated and inspired during periods of creative block, and what strategies do you employ to overcome them?
To stay motivated during creative block there are times when I’ll walk away from music and do something totally different. I usually get more involved with illustrating and drawing objects of interest, spending time with loved ones and taking short trips. Often times to overcome the block, listening to my favorite artists will help rejuvenate creative juices. Or starting off an idea with just voice or drums instead of keys;switching around my primary method.
Whats next for you?
What’s next is for me to acquire more bookings. Artists gotta’ eat too!
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