Twang Radio - Friday 3rd September 2021 w/ Niko

Niko’s all-new long player ELECTRIC UNION is set for release on ATIC Records this autumn. It will be preceded by two singles (‘You Used to Have Her’ and ‘The Palace Discotheque’) and succeeded by a 5-track remix EP in the new year.

With its driving breakbeat, fuzz bass and synth rave bleeps, first single ‘You Used to Have Her’ might take those familiar with Niko’s previous work a little by surprise. On closer inspection however, all of the Seattle born singer’s trademark traits are present and correct – beautifully crafted vocal melodies, complex backing vocal harmonies, a classic pop sensibility and relatable lyrics which despite their, at times dark, subject matter, always exude an infectious ‘joie de vivre’.

Produced by Aim (Coldwater Music, Hinterland) and recorded at his own Speed Limit Studios ‘You Used to Have Her’ gave the Barrow-in-Furness based beat-smith a chance to tap into his love of old school 90’s breakbeat. “When Niko gave me the demo I was buzzing! Most of my work is chilled and somewhat restrained so this track gave me a chance to take the silencer off. That said, a common thread running through Niko’s work is the strength of her song-writing regardless of how it might end up production-wise and You Used to Have Her is no exception.”

Born in Seattle WA, Niko spent a chilled-out childhood watching The Fresh Prince, listening to jazz and 90’s power pop and singing in gospel choir. After high school she relocated to NYC on a music scholarship to study jazz at the prestigious New School of Music and The Thelonious Monk Institute, spending the next decade soaking up the sights and sounds of the city and discovering an affinity for deep house and electronic music along the way.

Her first original compositions were written and recorded for a PBS television documentary soundtrack, a demo copy of which found its way to Manchester, England where she signed to Grand Central Records and released her debut album Life on Earth. In 2005 she left GC to create ATIC Records with producer Aim (Cold Water Music, Hinterland) and the two continued to work closely together with Niko lending vocals to his Flight 602 and The Habit Of A Lifetime (And How To Kick It) LPs, whilst fronting and touring with the ten-piece Aim live band that smashed Glastonbury and sold out Shepherds Bush Empire.

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