Steven Nistor

Steven Nistor (born May 22, 1979) is an American touring and studio drummer, best known for his work with Daniel Lanois and Sparks.

Steven Nistor
Nistor at United Recording Studios in July 2018
Nistor at United Recording Studios in July 2018
Background information
BornMay 22, 1979
Detroit, Michigan
GenresRock, Jazz
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Drums, Keyboards
Years active1996-present

Biography

Early life

Steven Nistor was born and raised in Detroit. He attended Wayne State University where he earned a Bachelor of Jazz Studies on a full scholarship and mentored under Branford Marsalis, Ben Sidran and Kenny Werner. During this time he studied drums with Gerald Cleaver and Scott Amendola, and has since studied with Ralph Humphrey, Ra-Kalam Bob Moses and Dave Elitch.

Career

Nistor has recorded with producers Rick Rubin, Danger Mouse, Daniel Lanois,[1] Tucker Martine,[2] Randall Dunn, Steve Albini, Ryan Freeland, John Hill, Warren Defever, and Scott Litt and has recorded/performed with Iron & Wine, Sam Amidon, Tinariwen, The Avett Brothers, Van Dyke Parks, Marissa Nadler,[3] Sparklehorse,[4] "Weird Al" Yankovic, Peter Buck, Emmylou Harris,[5] Gnarls Barkley, Todd Rundgren, Wild Belle, Brian Eno, Iggy Pop,[6] Leo Nocentelli, Lonnie Holley,[7] Garth Hudson, Aoife O’Donovan,[8] Passion Pit, The Flaming Lips,[9] Josh Klinghoffer, Ben Sollee, Beth Orton,[10] His Name Is Alive, Hal Willner, Trixie Whitley, Laura Veirs,[11] Bill Frisell, Michael Gibbs, Robert Plant,[12] Buddy Guy, Alison Krauss, Skerik, Jim White, Bernie Worrell, and is a member of the bands Sparks,[13] Brian Blade's Mama Rosa,[14] and WL.[15]

He was featured twice in Modern Drummer magazine, has appeared twice as a guest on the drumming podcast I'd Hit That,[16] has been the featured drummer on Late Night with Seth Meyers twice[17] and has taught at Interlochen Center for the Arts as well as the Detroit Institute of Music Education. Steven has also been featured in four major motion pictures, working with directors Leos Carax, Edgar Wright, and David Lynch.

Selected discography

ArtistAlbumCreditProducer
SparklehorseBird MachineDrums, PianoMark Linkous, Scott Minor, Steve Albini, Alan Weatherhead
Todd RundgrenSpace ForceDrumsTodd Rundgren
SparksThe Girl Is Crying in Her LatteDrumsSparks
Sparks & Todd RundgrenYour FandangoDrumsSparks & Todd Rundgren
SparksA Steady Drip, Drip, DripDrumsSparks
Laura VeirsFading of StarsDrumsTucker Martine
SparksHippopotamusDrumsSparks
Arjan MirandaSpiritual AmericaDrumsRandall Dunn
Emmylou HarrisThe Life and Songs of Emmylou HarrisDrumsDaniel Lanois, Don Was, Buddy Miller
Aoife O'DonovanMan In A Neon Coat: Live From CambridgeDrumsNone
Marissa NadlerStrangersDrumsRandall Dunn
Karl BlauIntroducing Karl BlauCongasTucker Martine
Aoife O'DonovanIn The Magic HourDrumsTucker Martine
Laura VeirsWarp and WeftDrumsTucker Martine
The Avett BrothersMagpie and the DandelionDrumsRick Rubin
Passion PitGossamerDrumsChris Zane
Aoife O’DonovanFossilsDrumsTucker Martine
The Avett BrothersThe CarpenterDrumsRick Rubin
Portugal. The ManIn the Mountain in the CloudDrumsJohn Hill
Theophilus LondonTimez Are Weird These DaysDrums, KeyboardsJohn Hill
SparksThe Seduction of Ingmar BergmanDrumsSparks
His Name Is AliveThe EclipseDrums, PercussionWarren Defever
Danger Mouse, Sparklehorse, & David LynchDark Night of the SoulDrums, Percussion, WurlitzerDanger Mouse
Gnarls BarkleyThe Odd CoupleDrumsDanger Mouse
Brandi CarlileDownpour (Live From Boston)DrumsNone
Joker's DaughterThe Last LaughDrumsDanger Mouse
Martina Topley-BirdThe Blue GodDrumsDanger Mouse
The Shortwave SetReplica Sun MachineDrumsDanger Mouse
Daniel LanoisHere Is What IsDrumsDaniel Lanois
Daniel LanoisSantiagoDrumsDaniel Lanois

Selected filmography

FilmCreditDirectorYear
AnnetteHimselfLeos Carax2021
The Sparks BrothersHimselfEdgar Wright2021
The Life and Songs of Emmylou HarrisHimselfJustin Kreutzmann2016
loudQUIETloud: a film about the Pixies[18]HimselfSteven Cantor2006

References