Today we’d like to introduce you to Niko Zorich.
Niko, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve been a musician since I was a kid, and just sort of picked up different instruments and tried my best to learn the songs I liked. After high school, I studied Contemporary Writing & Production for a semester at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, but shortly moved back to pursue audio engineering in Texas. I graduated from The Recording Conservatory of Austin and came back to Houston to start working. I’ve had a few studio jobs here and there, and am currently working as a live sound engineer for a church downtown. As soon as I got settled in to my new home studio, I made my main focus recording Houston rock bands, and to my surprise it’s been a very successful endeavor.
I’m now producing several local bands, working on some of the coolest music, and couldn’t be happier. Can’t wait to see what projects get thrown my way next.
Has it been a smooth road?
For the most part, it’s been smooth sailing. I think my biggest challenge was trying to draw that line between musician, songwriter, engineer, and producer. I started out just playing guitar in my bedroom, then moved to writing my own songs, then onto arranging songs to fit a sound, then really mastering the recording techniques to professionally capture all of it. So which hat do I wear? I found myself really stepping on people’s toes when we’d work together, and I never wanted to be “that guy”. They’d ask me to record them, and I’d start giving a bunch of input on their arrangement. Or a friend would ask me to play guitar for them, but I would spend more time fixing the bassist’s compressor pedal. The room would fall silent. Oh no…this terrible, sinking feeling…I was…”that guy”. I quickly learned my place.
Another issue I had was learning to take criticism. I always thought I was hard as stone and could take any feedback.
Then I’d put out a mix–which, let’s be real, was garbage–only to get negative criticism, and throw a fit.
“It’s just cause they like THIS style of music.”
“It’s probably just the speakers they were listening on.”
“Do they REALLY know what they’re talking about?”
“Ehh must just be preference.”
Never once did I stop and think “Niko, this mix is garbage,” and that kept me from growing. That went on for about a solid year before I finally came to my senses and started LISTENING to what people were saying, and the quality of my mixes skyrocketed. I also stopped bringing my mixes strictly to fellow producers/engineers for feedback. They’re not the only ones that listen to music, right? I started bringing it to legitimate consumers, the people that are listening to music just to enjoy it, not pick it apart. That’s when I really started getting the feedback I needed.
So, there were a few moments I was about ready to start ripping hair out, but overall it’s been a blast.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I blanket Nitpick under just “a production company” because it offers small glimpses of several useful services, not just one dedicated service.
I wanted to open a recording studio, but didn’t have the money and space to build out the legendary compound-esque facility you see in your head when you think “professional recording studio” (with several sound-treated rooms, a giant vintage console, a whole closet of microphones…you get the idea).
I wanted to be a producer, and work with artists on their sound. I love studying different styles and vibes of music, and it’s so cool to be in charge of that when you have a song laid out in front of you. A style of music depicts how the mix is balanced, which effects are used, how tones are shaped, how people perform, and so much more. It’s a very exciting process and I can’t help but want to be a part of it.
I wanted to play instruments for people! Artists bring in projects all the time with ideas for a rad guitar lick or a sweet bass line but either they can’t play that instrument or simply just don’t own it.
So I figured what better title to give a place that provides all these services than a “production company”? I’m much more affordable than the big-name studios, given I’m not as well-equipped–I want to help you arrange your music in a professional manner, and have a lot of experience studying music in general–I’m able to write or play parts you wrote on several different instruments–And I even offer graphic design services to my artists that are interested. A majority of the artists that have put out music with Nitpick have had artwork commissioned also.
I specialize in producing indie and math rock. I’m primarily a guitarist and rock music is an integral part of me. I know the genre, I know the tricks and when/where to pull them out, and it’s music I’m genuinely passionate about.
Around the local scene, I’m known for working quickly, being very detail-oriented, and my mixes having a particular sound. Up until about 2009 I was a hardened alt-rock, nu-metal and grunge fan, and over the years I’ve let that dark, gothic and industrial sound bleed into the indie music I began softening up into writing. Indie rock, to me, is very guitar-driven, with catchy vocal melodies, funky bass lines, and simplistic or sometimes experimental drumming. It’s an overall bright and quirky genre, that I think blended with the dark colors I pull from my influences, produces a very distinct sound that seems to be rather popular amongst bands around here.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I’ve honestly spent less time exploring downtown than I have sitting at my desk editing. Shame, I know. But, from what I’ve noticed, the thing with Houston creatives is that a good bit of them spend a lot of time being dormant.
Whether it be because they’re perfecting their art, looking for the right person to work on it with, or waiting until they can afford to work with said person. That’s why I think Nitpick Productions is a lifesaver. And I hope that small DIY production companies like it all over Houston start getting the exposure they deserve. Houstonians are thirsty for creating, and all they need is an affordable place to get their ideas out to the right person, with the right expertise of course. If I had to say one thing to my city, I would say continue pushing your art, and know your music is well worth the time and money to make it a reality.
Contact Info:
- Website: nitpickproductions.com
- Phone: 281-727-9554
- Email: niko@nitpickproductions.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/nitpickproductions
Image Credit:
Brian Waylon O’Day
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