Kody Nielson

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Kody Nielson
Kody Nielson aka Silicon in 2015.png
Nielson in 2015
Background information
Birth nameCarl Kody Nielson
Also known asSilicon
Born (1982-05-09) May 9, 1982 (age 43)
Occupations
  • Singer
  • composer
Member of Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Formerly of The Mint Chicks, Opossom
Partner(s) Bic Runga
(2010–present)

Carl Kody Nielson (born 9 May, 1982), [1] better known as Kody Nielson and also by his musical stage name Silicon, is a New Zealand singer-songwriter, musician, and producer, best known as a former vocalist and member of the art punk band The Mint Chicks.

Contents

Nielson performed with The Mint Chicks throughout the 2000s alongside his brother, Ruban Nielson, releasing three albums. The band's 2006 release Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No! , for which Nielson was both a performer, producer, and engineer, went gold and won in several categories in the 2007 Aotearoa Music Awards, including best rock album and album of the year. [2] The group abruptly disbanded in 2010.

In 2011, Nielson formed Opossom with his partner and fellow musician Bic Runga, and former bandmate Michael Logie, releasing their debut album Electric Hawaii the following year. The band went on hiatus shortly after due to his family commitments and Runga's other projects, prompting Nielson to go solo. In 2015, Nielson began his solo career under the pseudonym Silicon, with the release of Personal Computer , which won the 2016 Taite Music Prize.

Since 2018, Nielson has reunited with his brother as a member of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and has continued to work on his solo projects, including Birthday Suite (2018) and Birthday Suite Vol. II (2021), a collection of abstract instrumental albums released under his name. In addition to his bands and projects, Nielson is also an accomplished producer and writer and has collaborated on a number of albums by other artists, including The Adults, King Kapisi, the Finn Brothers, and Bic Runga, to name some.

Early life

Carl Kody Nielson was born on 9 May, 1982 in North Shore Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand. [1] He is the son of Chris Nielson, a New Zealand jazz musician of Māori descent, [3] [4] and Deedee Aipolani Nielson, who is Hawaiian and was crowned Miss Aloha Hula in 1974. [4] [5] Nielson holds dual citizenship with New Zealand and America. [6]

Nielson grew up on the Hibiscus Coast. He was a student at Orewa College, where he and his brother Ruban met the other original members of The Mint Chicks. [7]

Career

2001–2010: The Mint Chicks

The Nielson brother's punk band began playing gigs in Auckland in 2001. They became known for unpredictable and angry shows, with lead vocalist Kody's onstage performances including "gymnastics [that] turned into death-defying climbs up PA systems and lighting rigs. He'd antagonise the audience and his bandmates alike, verbally and physically, over slights, real or imagined." [8]

They remained active until 2010, releasing three albums and winning multiple New Zealand Music Awards. Kody added keyboards to his singing role. Their last performance ended when Kody smashed multiple instruments and told Ruban, "start your own fucking band". As a parting message to fans, the band's website was changed to a single page containing only that one line. [6] [9]

The band had relocated to Portland, Oregan. Kody returned to Auckland after the break-up. [9]

2011–2013: Opossom

Nielson (right) with Runga and Logie, performing as Opossom in 2011 Bic Runga 242 (51480814988).jpg
Nielson (right) with Runga and Logie, performing as Opossom in 2011

After Nielson arrived back in Auckland he produced and contributed songwriting to Belle , Bic Runga's 2011 album. Along with former Mint Chicks bassist Michael Logie the pair went on to form Opossom. [10] Their album Electric Hawaii was released in 2012 and was short-listed for the 2013 Taite Music Prize. It was described as "bright, clear psychedelia" and "sleekly designed indie pop". [8] [11]

2014–present: Silicon and Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Silicon released one album, the 2016 Taite Music Prize winning Personal Computer . When it was released in 2015 the New Zealand Herald described it as mostly electronic music with a lot of synthesisers. [12]

Kody worked on the third album from Ruban's group, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Multi-Love, in 2014. In 2018 Kody joined as full-time drummer.

Also in 2018, the first Birthday Suite album was released. This is an instrumental Kody Nielson solo project, with volume II released in 2021. [9] [13]

Personal life

Kody Nielson's partner is Bic Runga. They have three children, one from Runga's previous marriage. [8] [14] [15]

References

  1. 1 2 Moses, Hussein (27 April 2018). "'We're still brothers': Kody Nielson's next chapter with Unknown Mortal Orchestra". The Spinoff. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  2. ↑ Hunkin, Joanna (18 October 2007). "The Mint Chicks nab major awards at NZ Music Awards". NZ Herald. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  3. ↑ "Musical Dynasties - Ruban, Kody and Chris Nielson". RNZ. 18 January 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  4. 1 2 Lee, Stanley (24 February 2017). "Unknown Mortal Orchestra has family ties to Hawaiian music". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  5. ↑ "Unknown Mortal Orchestra's Ruban Nielson on his Māori and Hawaiian roots". Hawai'i Public Radio. 27 January 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  6. 1 2 Grieve, Duncan (21 March 2014). "Profile: The Mint Chicks". Audioculture. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  7. ↑ "Mint success for Orewa musicians". Stuff. 31 January 2009. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 Oliver, Henry (19 June 2015). "Kody Nielson: the musician grows up". Stuff. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  9. 1 2 3 Moses, Hussein (27 April 2018). "'We're still brothers': Kody Nielson's next chapter with Unknown Mortal Orchestra". The Spinoff. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  10. ↑ Kidd, Sarah (20 October 2020). "In Conversation: A Kody Nielson Interview". Ambient Light. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  11. ↑ Greene, Jayson (20 August 2012). "Review: Electric Hawaii, by Opossom". Pitchfork. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  12. ↑ "Album review: Silicon, Personal Computer". New Zealand Herald. 10 September 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  13. ↑ Cudby, Chris (23 November 2021). "Kody Nielson Shares New Album 'Birthday Suite Vol. II'". Under the Radar. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  14. ↑ "Bic Runga: 'I appreciate things more now'". RNZ. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  15. ↑ Bailey, Judy (5 May 2017). "Bic Runga on music, family, and why she wants to reinvent herself". Woman's Day. Now to Love. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
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