Nick schilder - Biography - April 2023

“The music I make is who I am, what I feel and what I want to create.”

It’s these words that define Nick Schilder and his approach to music. Feeling the pull of electronic music grow stronger upon hearing Matt Simons’ 2014 single ‘Catch & Release’, the Dutch singer-songwriter is carving out his own path and stepping onto a playing field known for infinite possibilities. Transitioning from Dutch folk and pop to dance music may seem too great a shift at first glance, despite — or maybe even because of — the seventeen years of profound success he’s had as one half of Nick & Simon. Together, they topped the Dutch Top 100 chart ten times, sold 1,000,000 album copies, played sold-out solo shows to crowds of 30,000 strong and frequently appeared on Dutch television, including The Voice of Holland (as coaches), popular talk shows and their own documentary series, ‘Homeward Bound’. Yet, a deep-dive into Nick Schilder’s upbringing — from learning to play the guitar from globally recognized guitarist Jan Akkerman (his neighbor) at the age of 8 to becoming an ambassador for the Dutch Chess Association many years after securing a chess championship in his youth — hints to an artistic depth that insists on a look beyond the shallows. “My love for electronic music isn’t new. I became enchanted with the sounds of Jean-Michel Jarre, admired Pink Floyd’s programming, loved everything about Daft Punk, spent a lot of time on Ibiza, and also collaborated with Lost Frequencies on our 2016 single ‘Lift Me Up’. At the same time, my musical roots stretch to James Taylor, Jackson Browne and even Pavarotti’s arias. I realize that the past fifteen years of my career haven’t been as multidimensional, and that’s exactly why I’m changing course.”

Across his output, Nick Schilder will be connecting with unique songwriters from all over the world, a desire that stems from a long tradition of seeking out writing talent across the music spectrum. His songs usher in electronic music’s influences and subtly reference his own personal experiences.

“I want the meaning behind each of my songs to be pronounced. ‘Shatterproof’, for instance, details the slippery slope I find myself on and the strong belief that I won’t break even if I were to fall. The music video of the song, for which we’re partnering up with the United Ukrainian Ballet, also reflects that; they stay true to their purpose and keep dancing despite all that’s happening. All I want is for my music to echo the person and artist I am today, and pursuing this new direction will make sure that it no longer lies beneath the surface.”