Nico Constantine

Nico Constantine
Nico Constantine: Guitar "Guru"
Background information
Genres	Rock and Roll, Indie, Pop
Occupation(s)	Musician, Songwriter, Producer, Music Director
Instruments	Guitar
Years active	1996–present
Associated acts	Lady Gaga, The Biters, Program the Dead, Comes with the Fall, Madfly, Starbenders, Brooklynn
Website	institutionrecords.world

Nico Constantine is an American music director, producer, and guitarist, known for his work with Lady Gaga, Biters (band), Program the Dead,^[1] Comes with the Fall,^[2] and Madfly,^[3] and for being the founder and creative director of Institution Records.

Biography

Madfly and Comes with the Fall

In 1996, Constantine joined Madfly in Atlanta, Georgia, along with singer-guitarist William DuVall, drummer Bevan Davies, and bassist Jeffery Blount. In 1998, Joan Jett signed Madfly to Blackheart/Mercury Records. After releasing White Hot in the Black,^[2] the band left Blackheart/Mercury, and reformed as Comes with the Fall in 1999, with Adam Stanger replacing Jeffery Blount on bass.^[2]

Comes with the Fall recorded their self-titled album in Atlanta,^[4] a year later, before relocating to Los Angeles, California,^[2] catching the attention of Alice in Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell. Their self-titled album was released the same year through DuVall's DVL Records.^[2]

Constantine amicably parted ways with Comes with the Fall during the first leg of the Degradation Trip tour,^[5] however, some of his writing would appear on their later studio releases, The Year is One, The Reckoning and Beyond the Last Light. DuVall thanked Constantine along with the rest of the founding members of Comes with the Fall within the liner notes of Alice in Chains' 2009 album Black Gives Way to Blue.

Nico Constantine and The Biters, rockin' on the floor

Nico on stage with Lady Gaga on the Fame Ball tour

Program the Dead Live

Nico Program The Dead

Nico on stage with Jerry Cantrell and William DuVall

Program the Dead

After leaving Comes with the Fall, Constantine went on to form the band Program the Dead, along with vocalist Matt Koruba, drummer Dave Murga, and bassist Johnny McClay (later replaced by Tom Kafafian). Program the Dead was signed to Universal Motown by Andrew Kronfeld six months after forming. The band toured extensively throughout the United States, Canada and the UK sharing the stage with such bands as HIM, Mindless Self Indulgence, and the Bloodhound Gang.^[6][7]

Lady Gaga

In 2006, Nico played guitar on Lady Gaga's planned album release for Island Def Jam. In 2009, he served as Lady Gaga's music director and lead guitarist, assembling her first live band for her World Tour 2009 of the Fame Ball^[8] throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Israel and the United States. He also served as Gaga's music director and guitarist for her performances on Dancing With The Stars, the BBC Glastonbury Concert, the Isle of MTV ''Malta Special'', Australia's Live at the Chapel, and many European TV specials.

The Biters

In 2010, Nico produced The Biters' second EP, It's OK to Like Biters, released on Underrated Records. Having great musical chemistry with The Biters, as well as a long-standing friendship with the band's lead singer Tuk Smith, Nico was approached to produce another EP, Last of a Dying Breed in 2012. The EP saw great success, making it onto iTunes' Best of Rock 2012 list.

August 7th 2014 Biters premiered their new single Indigo on Revolver Magazine. Biters released a limited 500 pressing, colored 7″ vinyl featuring the two new songs–”Indigo” and “Saturday Cat Fight.” both produced by Nico Constantine. The first pressing sold out.

Brooklynn

Brooklynn has been christened the Queen of Soul Pop & Roll. Nico Constantine produced and released a music video, directed by Video Rahim, for Brooklynn on November 27, 2013. The song, "Take My Hand" was written by Brooklynn, Tom Kafafian, Nico Constantine and Adam LaRossa. In February 2014, the video surpassed 1,000,000 views on YouTube. Brooklynn's self titled debut EP produced by Nico Constantine was released on October 28, 2014 through Institution Records. The single "Friends' has over 3.3 million plays on Spotify after appearing on their New Music Tuesday Playlist. Brooklynn has been featured on Entertainment Weekly, Idolator, Amoeba, Pop Dust, OUT Magazine, Vibe, Pop Matters, and Yahoo! Music since signing with Institution. Brooklynn released "Free 2 B" on October 6th 2015; music videos for "Friends" on March 17th, 2015, and "What I Need " on November 11th 2015.

Brooklynn, a stellar pop artist in Atlanta, GA, is guaranteed to leave her new sound stuck in your head - in a good way.

Brooklynn promo from a Chelsea Kornse shoot

Starbenders

StarBenders debut EP produced by Nico Constantine was released on Halloween Day 2014 through Institution Records. The band has been featured in music publications Pop Matters, EARMILK, Consequence Of Sound, CMJ, Alternative Press, Altsounds, and the Atlanta Creative Loafing. Starbenders released the digital 7" "Powder" on May 26th, 2015, "Brake" on August 11th, and Paper Beats Rock on August 18th. They released a music video for "Powder" on October 31st, 2015.

Kimi and Katie from The Starbenders chowin' down after an intense rehearsal

Aaron of Starbenders shredding a bass

Katie dominating a drum kit

Kimi Shelter of Starbenders

Toxic Twins (2)

Chris Tokaji of Starbenders performing live

Institution Records

Nico Constantine is the founder and creative director of Institution Records. He is best known for his work as Lady Gaga's music director and guitarist during her Fame Ball World Tour. Constantine has also been signed twice as an artist to the major label system.

Institution recognizes that, by integrating emotionally evoking content with forward minded technologies, our artists will become windows into new worlds. We bring the future into now and are passionate about fostering and developing emerging artists' careers. Our methodology is holistic, encompassing all facets of the artists' ascent

Discography

References

External links

Media related to Nico Constantine at Wikimedia Commons