Nick Sylvester

Last updated

Nick Sylvester
Born
Nick Sylvester

Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupations
  • record producer
  • songwriter
  • music executive
Years active2008–present
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)
  • synthesizers
  • drums
  • vocals


Formerly of Mr. Dream

Nick Sylvester is an American record producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and music executive. He is best known for his writing and production work with Channel Tres and Yaeji, [1] and as the creative co-founder of Godmode Music. [2]

Contents

Early life and education

Sylvester was born and raised in Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania, outside of Philadelphia. [3] In high school, he played trumpet professionally in wedding and jazz bands. [4] [5]

Sylvester attended Harvard University, where he was a writer for The Harvard Lampoon concurrently with Colin Jost, Simon Rich, and Zach Kanin. [6] In 2002, Sylvester raced Albert Hammond Jr. and Julian Casablancas of The Strokes in a go-kart race hosted by the Lampoon in the streets of Cambridge. [7] [4]

Career

Journalism, writing

Sylvester wrote about pop, rap, dance, indie and experimental music for the music publication Pitchfork from 2002 to 2006 and served as an editor from 2004 to 2006. [8]

In 2006, while he was a writer and senior associate editor at The Village Voice , he was suspended for his essay “Do You Wanna Kiss Me?”, a piece about Neil Strauss's The Game, after the essay was revealed to contain fabrications about a secret society of pickup artists. [9] Later that year, he was hired as a writer by The Colbert Report , and continued to write articles for n+1 , The Wire , and New York Magazine . [10]

Songwriting, record production

From 2008 to 2012, Sylvester produced, co-wrote, and played drums in the Brooklyn punk rock music group Mr. Dream. In 2009, Sylvester lived with James Murphy in Los Angeles during the recording of the music that would become LCD Soundsystem's This Is Happening . [11] His time in Los Angeles with Murphy was when Sylvester extensively learned how to record, mix, and produce. [12] Sylvester also wrote an essay for the release of Shut Up and Play the Hits , and he also performed in the men's chorus for the then-final LCD Soundsystem shows in 2011. [13]

In 2014, he produced La Isla Bonita by Deerhoof, as well as the Northtown and Ratchet by Shamir. [14] In 2016, Sylvester moved to Los Angeles to further pursue his career as a songwriter and record producer. [15] He has co-written, produced, recorded, mixed, and remixed for a variety of artists, including Channel Tres, Yaeji, Shopping, Honey Dijon, Denzel Curry, Tyler, The Creator, JPEGMafia, and The Dare.

In 2017, he co-founded Godmode Music, an artist development company that blended traditional record label and management, based originally on his vanity label for Mr. Dream. [16] Sylvester co-wrote and produced the recordings of the artists signed to the company. At Godmode, he also co-developed the music workflow app Bounce. [17] He exited the company in 2022 and started a new label, called smartdumb, in 2023. [6]

In 2022, it was announced that Sylvester had scored the 30 for 30 documentary “American Son” about tennis player Michael Chang, directed by Jay Caspian Kang. [18]

Personal life

Sylvester married ESPN analyst Mina Kimes in 2015, and lives in Los Angeles with their dog Lenny. [6] Their first child, a boy, was born in fall 2023.

Discography

Songwriter and record producer [19]

YearArtistSongAlbum
Uffie "Oopsie"Oopsie/Alchemy
2023"Alchemy"
Isola"Last Winter"LP1
"Too Soon"
"Red Balloon"
"Aquarius"
"Heaven"
"In the Dead of Night"
"For Thee I Sing"
"Prayer"
"Sundowner"
The Dare "Sex"Sex EP
Avalon Emerson "Karaoke Song"& the Charm
Channel Tres "Sleep When I'm Dead"Real Cultural Shit
"6am"
"Just Can't Get Enough"
"Big Time"
"All My Friends"
2022 Channel Tres "Acid In My Blood"Acid / Ganzfeld
"Ganzfeld Experiment"
"No Limit"non-album single
Honey Dijon "Show Me Some Love"Black Girl Magic
PawPaw Rod"Message (Better Days)"Another PawPaw Rod EP
"Beautiful"
"Lovetap"
"Shining Star"
2021LoveLeo"BUZZCUT"non-album single
"TUNG TIED"non-album single
PawPaw Rod"HIT EM WHERE IT HURTS"A PawPaw Rod EP
"Glass House"
"Thin Lines"
"Lemonhaze"
2020Isola"Ischia"EP1
"Any Day"
"Canis Major"
"Said It Again"
"Two Birds"
"La Notte"
"Ricorda - Tell Me"
Channel Tres "i can’t go outside - intro"I Can't Go Outside
"2000 chevy malibu"
"skate depot"
"broke down kid interlude"
"fuego" (feat. Tyler, the Creator)
LoveLeo"BOYFREN"LOOK AT THIS MESS IVE MADE
"RECENTLY DELETED"
"AHHHHHHH"
"HEAD OVER HEELS"
"ROSIE"
"LEMONS"
"BABYFREEZE"
"ROCKBOTTOM"
2019 Channel Tres "Orpheus"Black Moses
"Brilliant Nigga"
"Black Moses" (ft. JPEGMafia)
"Sexy Black Timberlake"
"Raw Power"
2018 Channel Tres St. Julian (Intro)Channel Tres EP
"Controller"
"Jet Black"
"Topdown"
Mai Lan "Peru"Autopilote
"Pumper"
"Nail Polish"
"Missile"
"Dial My Number"
"Blaze Up"
"Clermont"
"Time To Fade"
"Technique"
"Pas d'amour"
2017 Yaeji "Feelings Change" EP2
"Raingurl"
"Drink I'm Sippin' On"
"After That"
"Passionfruit"
"Therapy"Therapy
"Last Breath"Last Breath
Mai Lan "Vampire"Autopilote
2016 Yaeji "New York 93" Yaeji
"Guap"
"Noonside"
"Feel It Out"
"Full Of It"
Mai Lan "Technique"Vampire EP
"Haze"
2015 Shamir "Vegas" Ratchet
"Make A Scene"
"On the Regular"
"Call It Off"
"Hot Mess"
"Demon"
"In For The Kill"
"Youth"
"Darker"
"Head in the Clouds"
"KC"
Sky Ferreira "I Blame Myself" (Negative Supply Remix)non-album remix
2014 Deerhoof Paradise Girls La Isla Bonita
Mirror Monster"
"Doom"
"Last Fad"
"Tiny Bubbles"
"Exit Only"
"Big House Waltz"
"God 2"
"Black Pitch"
"Oh Bummer"
Shamir "If It Wasn’t True" Northtown
"I Know It’s A Good Thing"
"Sometimes A Man"
"I’ll Never Be Able To Love"
"Lived and Died Alone"

Mr. Dream

AlbumRelease Year
The Ultimate in Luxury2014
Fatherland2012
Trash Hit 2011
No Girls Allowed 2010
Mr. Dream Goes to Jail 2009

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LCD Soundsystem</span> American indie rock band

LCD Soundsystem is an American electronic rock band from Brooklyn, New York, formed in 2002 by James Murphy, co-founder of DFA Records. The band comprises Murphy, Nancy Whang, Pat Mahoney (drums), Tyler Pope, Al Doyle, Matt Thornley, and Korey Richey. They have been signed to DFA since their inception, and also signed to Columbia Records in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tiga (musician)</span> Canadian DJ and musician

Tiga James Sontag, known simply as Tiga, is a Canadian EDM DJ, music programmer, and record producer. He has released three albums: Sexor (2006), Ciao! (2009), and No Fantasy Required (2016). The former won the 2007 Juno Award for Dance Recording of the Year. Tiga released a selection of compilations in the early 2000s, featuring mixes such as American Gigolo, DJ-Kicks: Tiga and, Mixed Emotions. His compilation mix, Tiga Non-Stop, was released in November 2012, and premiered Tiga's latest single "Plush". The mix also features tracks from artists such as Kindness, Duke Dumont and Blawan.

DFA Records is an American independent record label founded in 2001 by Mo' Wax co-founder Tim Goldsworthy, musician James Murphy, and manager Jonathan Galkin. They previously had a production team called The DFA, consisting of Goldsworthy and Murphy.

<i>LCD Soundsystem</i> (album) 2005 studio album by LCD Soundsystem

LCD Soundsystem is the debut studio album by American rock band LCD Soundsystem. It was released on January 24, 2005, jointly through DFA and Capitol Records in the United States and EMI elsewhere. The album encompasses genres that range from dance-punk to electronica to indie rock to dance music. The album was critically acclaimed upon release and was nominated for the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Electronic/Dance Album. Many singles were released to promote the album, including the band's breakout "Daft Punk Is Playing at My House", which reached number one on the UK Dance Chart in March, 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Murphy (electronic musician)</span> American musician

James Jeremiah Murphy is an American musician, DJ, singer, songwriter, and record producer. His most well-known musical project is LCD Soundsystem, which first gained attention with its single "Losing My Edge" in 2002 before releasing its eponymous debut album in February 2005 to critical acclaim and top 20 success in the UK. LCD Soundsystem's second and third studio albums, Sound of Silver (2007) and This Is Happening (2010) respectively, were praised by several music review outlets. Both albums have also reached the top 50 in the Billboard 200.

Tim Goldsworthy is a British record producer, DJ and recording artist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">45:33</span> Extended play by LCD Soundsystem

"45:33" is a six-part composition by American rock band LCD Soundsystem. Commissioned by Nike, it was released digitally as a one-track studio album on October 17, 2006, as part of the Nike+ Original Run series. Initially, it was available exclusively through the Nike Music Store on iTunes. New York–based creative lifestyle marketing and public relations agency Cornerstone helped the musical efforts and coordinated the track. A CD re-release with three bonus tracks was issued by DFA Records on November 12, 2007, with the "45:33" composition also receiving a vinyl release. An eight track remix CD entitled 45:33 Remixes was released September 2009.

<i>Sound of Silver</i> 2007 studio album by LCD Soundsystem

Sound of Silver is the second studio album by American rock band LCD Soundsystem. The album was released jointly through DFA and Capitol Records in the United States and EMI elsewhere, first on March 12, 2007, in the United Kingdom. Sound of Silver was produced by the DFA and recorded during 2006 at Long View Farm in North Brookfield, Massachusetts and DFA Studios in New York City, New York.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All My Friends (LCD Soundsystem song)</span> 2007 song by LCD Soundsystem

"All My Friends" is a song by American rock band LCD Soundsystem. It was released as the second single from their second studio album Sound of Silver on May 28, 2007 and was written by Pat Mahoney, James Murphy, and Tyler Pope. The song received acclaim from critics and was on many year-end lists. It peaked at #41 on the UK Singles Chart. B-sides for the single include covers of the song by Scottish indie rock band Franz Ferdinand and former Velvet Underground member John Cale. The song was featured on the trailer for the 2024 movie IF.

<i>This Is Happening</i> 2010 studio album by LCD Soundsystem

This Is Happening is the third studio album by American rock band LCD Soundsystem. It was released first on May 17, 2010, jointly through DFA and Virgin Records in the United States and Parlophone elsewhere. It was recorded over the course of 2009 and early 2010 in the Mansion recording studio in Los Angeles. The first single, "Pow Pow", was released in April 2010, with a music video directed by Spike Jonze. The album is dedicated to Jerry Fuchs (1974–2009), who performed drums live with the band on occasion, as well as having a big part in associated DFA acts.

<i>The Long Goodbye: LCD Soundsystem Live at Madison Square Garden</i> 2014 live album by LCD Soundsystem

The Long Goodbye: LCD Soundsystem Live at Madison Square Garden is a live album by American rock band LCD Soundsystem released in 2014. It is a near-unedited live recording of their final show held at Madison Square Garden in 2011. At the time, this was billed as the band's final show ever.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shamir (musician)</span> American singer and songwriter (born 1994)

Shamir Bailey is an American singer and songwriter from Las Vegas, Nevada. His debut extended play (EP), Northtown, was released in June 2014 to positive reviews. In October 2014, he signed to XL Recordings and released the single "On the Regular". His debut LP Ratchet was released on May 19, 2015 in the United States. Since then he has released seven independent studio albums, Hope (2017), Revelations (2017), Resolution (2018), Be the Yee, Here Comes the Haw (2019), Cataclysm (2019), Shamir (2020), and Heterosexuality (2022).

<i>Northtown</i> (EP) 2014 EP by Shamir

Northtown is the first EP by the American singer-songwriter Shamir Bailey, better known by his stage name, Shamir. The EP has elements of R&B, house and dance music. It was produced by Nick Sylvester, the founder of New York's Godmode label, and was released on June 6, 2014. It was rated as one of the best releases by a new artist in 2014.

"If It Wasn't True" is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Shamir Bailey, better known by his stage name Shamir, and included as the opening track on his debut extended play (EP) Northtown. Musically, "If It Wasn't True" is an R&B, pop, and dance song. Shamir has called the track "a breakup song, but not a typical one," and Vogue magazine in 2014 dubbed it "Your New Favorite Breakup Song."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mina Kimes</span> American sports journalist (born 1985)

Mina Mugil Kimes is an American journalist who specializes in business and sports reporting. She has written for Fortune, Bloomberg News, and ESPN. She is a senior writer at ESPN and an analyst on NFL Live.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yeah (LCD Soundsystem song)</span> 2004 single by LCD Soundsystem

"Yeah" is a song by American rock band LCD Soundsystem. It was released as a 12-inch single through DFA Records on January 13, 2004. The Crass and Pretentious mixes of "Yeah" later appeared on the CD version of the band's eponymous debut studio album. The song peaked at number 77 on the UK Singles Chart.

Kathy Yaeji Lee, known professionally as Yaeji, is an American singer, DJ, and producer based in Brooklyn, New York City. Her style blends elements of house music and hip hop with mellow, quiet vocals sung in both English and Korean.

<i>EP2</i> (Yaeji EP) 2017 EP by Yaeji

EP2 is the second extended play by Korean-American electronic musician Kathy Yaeji Lee, known by her stage name as Yaeji. It was released on November 3, 2017 by the label Godmode, and produced by Lee with Godmode founder Nick Sylvester. A trap and house record, it features a cover of the song "Passionfruit" by Canadian rapper Drake. Promoted with three singles and two music videos, one of which Lee directed, EP2 garnered favorable reviews from critics and was ranked the best album of the year by Gorilla vs. Bear. Commercially, the EP hit No. 5 on Billboard's American Dance/Electronic Album Sales chart.

<i>Yaeji</i> (EP) 2017 EP by Yaeji

Yaeji is the debut extended play by South Korean-American house music producer Kathy Yaeji Lee, known by her stage name as Yaeji. Written and produced by Lee and Nick Sylvester, the EP is a lo-fi house record with minimal structures and spoken word lyrics in a combination of Korean and English. It was released by the label Godmode on March 31, 2017 and garnered mostly favorable reviews from critics, landing at No. 50 on Pitchfork's list of the "50 Best Albums of 2017".

<i>White Noise</i> (soundtrack) 2022 film score by Danny Elfman

White Noise is the soundtrack album to the 2022 film of the same name, directed by Noah Baumbach. The film's original score, which was composed by Danny Elfman, was released into a 20-track album on November 18, 2022 by Netflix Music. It also accompanies an original song, "The Cloud is Coming" performed by Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips. A single "New Body Rhumba" was recorded for the film's soundtrack, but did not include in the album, despite being released as a single on September 30.

References

  1. ↑ Hsu, Hua (March 30, 2020). "Yaeji's New Mixtape Is the Opposite of Social Distancing". The New Yorker. ISSN   0028-792X . Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  2. ↑ Ross, Danny (November 28, 2017). "Why 'NY Versus LA?' Is The Wrong Question". Forbes. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  3. ↑ Tornoe, Rob (October 18, 2019). "ESPN Daily podcast host Mina Kimes has Philly ties and an appreciation of Terry Gross". www.inquirer.com. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  4. 1 2 "Sylvester '00 Journeys to the Top of the Music Scene". St. Joseph's Preparatory School. July 14, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Death of a Mr. Dream". The Awl. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 Fraser, Belle (July 13, 2023). "Who is Nick Sylvester, Mina Kimes' husband?" . Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Strokes Punish 'Poonster In Go-Kart Around Castle | News | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Nick Sylvester: Contributor". Pitchfork. February 16, 2006. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Ex-'Poon Editor Caught in Scandal | News | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  10. ↑ Jedrzejczak, Antonina. "Here Are Five Great Things That Can Happen To You After A Career-Shattering Media Gaffe". Business Insider. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  11. ↑ Breihan, Tom (March 20, 2007). "Status Ain't Hood Interviews LCD Soundsystem". The Village Voice. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  12. ↑ Development, PodBean. "Nick Sylvester of Godmode on becoming a producer, learning from James Murphy, and developing artists like Shamir, Yaeji, and LoveLeo | Fluxpod". fluxpod.podbean.com. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  13. ↑ Lovelace, Will; Southern, Dylan (October 9, 2012), Shut Up And Play The Hits, Oscilloscope, retrieved October 31, 2023
  14. ↑ "Stream Godmode's Common Interests Were Not Enough To Keep Us Together Comp". Stereogum. February 14, 2014. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  15. ↑ Sylvester, Nick (August 8, 2017). "The Internet Doesn't Matter, You're Making Music in L.A." Vulture. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  16. ↑ "GODMODE – Impose Magazine". imposemagazine.com. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  17. ↑ Eggertsen, Chris (October 30, 2019). "Music Workflow App Bounce Launches Public Version". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  18. ↑ Hayes, Dade (September 1, 2022). "Tennis Great Michael Chang To Be Profiled In ESPN Films '30 For 30' Documentary 'American Son'". Deadline. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Nick Sylvester Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.