«…A rising star in Europe…» (Downbeat Magazine, USA), Nicolas Stocker (*1988) has built an international reputation as a differentiated composer and highly skilled drummer. With his solo drum project, he is blurring the lines of contempory classical music, electronica and free improvisation. Based on his sophisticated art of polymetric play and spectral detour into the melodic, he develops a beguiling network of rhythmic structures and ethereal sounds. His critically aclaimed debut album SOLO – recorded without overdubs, clicktrack or electronics – was released on Ronin Rhythm Records end of 2018.
Post-genre group KALI Trio, featuring Raphael Loher and Urs Müller, is Stocker’s second main project – beeing a true working band with every member contributing equally to the writing and creative processes. The award winning trio has been releasing their second album LOOM in early 2021, which has been dubbed «… a truly inventive album…» by legendary music journalist Anil Prasad (Innerviews). Nemesis, a movie by director Thomas Imbach has premiered the cinemas in 2021 and features an original soundtrack by KALI Trio.
Further, Nicolas Stocker is a core member of the celebrated ritual groove music ensemble Nik Bärtsch’s Mobile since 2015. His extensive sideman work includes collaborations with Ricardo Villalobos, Maarja Nuut, Areni Agbabian, Witch’n’Monk, and many more – «…the music is really enhanced by Stocker’s outstanding work on drums…» (Jazzwize Magazine, UK).
In addition to numerous album productions, he has recorded drums for several movie soundtracks and worked with GRAMMY-Award-winning producers Manfred Eicher and David Odlum. He is featured on the ECM Records releases Continuum by Nik Bärtsch’s Mobile, Bloom by Areni Agbabian, as well as on John Zorn’s Tzadik Records release Witch’n’Monk, which won the prestigious Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik. Both Bloom and Witch’n’Monk have been named Contemporary Album Of The Month by The Guardian.
Zürich based Nicolas Stocker has toured extensively throughout Europe, as well as
China, USA, United Arab Emirates, and Russia. Some of his personal highlights include performances at the ECM Records night of NYC Winter Jazz Festival, London’s Possibly Colliding Festival – curated by Nils Frahm and a 27-hour concert with Nik Bärtsch’s Mobile in Abu Dhabi. He has played in some of the scene’s most important venues and festivals, such as Elbphilharmonie (GE), Berghain (GE), Barbican Centre (UK), London Jazz Festival (UK), So What’s Next (NE), In Transition (NE), Willisau Jazz Festival (CH), Montreux Jazz Festival (CH), amongst many others.
His deep interest in interdisciplinary work has led to extensive collaborations in the dance and theatre world. Previous work includes projects at Stadttheater Bonn, Theater Gessneralle, Theater Neumarkt, Theater Basel, Stadttheater Bern, and the Zürich Opera House Ballet. At the moment, he is part of the long-term project screenspace_solitude that investigates the effects of digital communication on human communication and relationships. A multidisciplinary team, including a video artist, a dancer, and Nicolas Stocker as musical director and drummer, reflect on the representation of physical spaces in the digital world. In this episode, Nicolas shares his background, education, and musical journey.
Listen to Kali Trio on YouTube: KALI Trio · Shipol
How to reach Nicolas Stocker / KALI Trio:
Website: www.kalitrio.com
Instagram: kali_trio
Instagram Nicolas Stocker: nicolas.stocker
Facebook: Kalitrio
Listen to KALI Trio
Apple – Spotify – Tidal – BandCamp
Listen to Nicolas Stocker SOLO
Apple – Spotify – Tidal – BandCamp
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
