Nick Mikan

Nick was born in 1994 in Pittsburgh, PA (Go Pens!) and raised in the Houston, TX area were he began studying piano and then drums at the age of 13. By the age of 15, he was writing songs with friends and performing live at all-age venues in and around the Houston area. Over the years, Nick’s drum instructors have included Larry Finn, Marvin Sparks, Jason Wall, John Xepoleas, and Sean Younge who each brought unique skills and perspectives to drumming and it’s that diversity that shapes Nick’s playing. 

As a music student at Lone Star College, Nick studied music theory, piano, sight singing/reading, and was a member of the symphonic band and the jazz ensemble where he was chosen to play drum set supporting the world renowned trumpet player Dave Stahl and where he later received an Outstanding Musicianship Award at the Gulf Coast Intercollegiate Jazz Festival. Aside from his formal studies, Nick has been inspired by drummers like Thomas Pridgen, Benny Greb, and many others who bring impeccable skills to heavy music and hip-hop/R&B. 

Whether he’s playing with a high energy metal band or something lighter with a solid groove, Nick’s foundation in jazz, rock, and funk is rooted in good technique that drives his every move behind the kit. 

Nick’s studio experience began informally in high school making music with friends. It then moved to a more formal setting immediately after high school where he recorded with producer Nick Scott for the band Concepts. Then, in 2015, Nick signed with Spinefarm Records (a Universal Music Group label) as a member of the band Darke Complex and recorded with the legendary “Machine (The Producer)” on the band’s debut full-length album “Point Oblivion.” Although that record didn’t find a large fan base, Nick’s contribution is noteworthy because the drums were recorded using the same technique used by Dave Grohl on Queens of the Stone Age album “Songs for the Deaf” where the drums were recorded separately from the cymbals. Although it was a tedious experience, it allowed for far greater flexibility during mixing. Since that time, Nick has continued to record both formally and informally and can be heard most recently on the 5-song EP “Who is Wrongbird” by the band Wrongbird. If you listen to any recording Nick has been involved with, you will hear a drummer that knows how to complement a song. Along the way, Nick has not only gained confidence behind the kit but also working in Pro Tools. 

Nick has been on several national tours, has played on festival stages, and can be routinely found playing in local clubs in and around Austin, TX known as the live music capital of the world. He’s comfortable working as part of a rehearsed backing band or as a last-minute fill-in, playing with or without a click track, and playing with or without backing tracks. He’s currently working on integrating more hybrid drumming (acoustic/electronic) into his skill set.