Steve Nieve
Encyclopedia
Steve Nieve is an English keyboardist
, best known for his work with Elvis Costello and the Attractions and Elvis Costello and the Imposters.
student joined Costello's backing band The Attractions in 1977. Nason received his musical moniker "Nieve" ' onMouseout='HidePop("76778")' href="/topics/Naïve">naïve
") while on the Attractions' first tour for Stiff Records
: it was bestowed by fellow tourmate Ian Dury
who had been astonished by Nason's innocent query, "What's a groupie
?"
Nieve played piano
, organ
, and other keyboard instrument
s on most of Costello's projects over the next ten years, including the album
s This Year's Model
(1978), Imperial Bedroom
(1982), and Blood and Chocolate
(1986). He wrote the material on The Attractions' Costello-less album, Mad About The Wrong Boy, under the name Norman Brain, in collaboration with his then girlfriend, Fay Hart.
In the mid 1980s, Costello began to work less frequently with The Attractions and stopped working with them entirely between 1987 and 1993. During this period, Nieve focused on session work for other artists (The Neville Brothers
, Hothouse Flowers
, Graham Parker
, Squeeze, Tim Finn
, Kirsty MacColl
, Madness
), and David Bowie
. Nieve released records under the group name Perils of Plastic - a collaboration with vocalist Steve Allen, releasing the singles
"Ring A Ding Ding" and "Debile Matin" (recorded live at Avenue La Grande Armée, Paris, and remixed and produced by Paul O'Duffy) and led the house band (billed as 'Steve Nieve and The Playboys') on the UK TV series Tonight with Jonathan Ross.
Costello reunited The Attractions for 1994's album Brutal Youth. Although the reunion was relatively short-lived (they split again in 1996), the Costello/Nieve collaborations never stopped. They have toured as a duo, and Nieve has contributed keyboards to all of Costello's albums since the mid-1990s, including 1998's Burt Bacharach
collaboration Painted From Memory
, 2001's Anne Sofie von Otter collaboration For The Stars, and 2003's North.
In 2001, Costello formed a new backing band consisting of Nieve, Attractions drummer Pete Thomas
, and bassist Davey Faragher
. The band was subsequently dubbed The Imposters. Elvis Costello & The Imposters have toured extensively and released the albums When I Was Cruel
(2002), Cruel Smile
(2003) The Delivery Man
(2004), The River In Reverse (2006) with Allen Toussaint, and Momofuku
(2008).
In 2003 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
as a member of Elvis Costello & The Attractions.
albums. Keyboard Jungle (1983) was his first, a combination of classical
and ersatz film scores delivered from his beloved Steinway
piano. His second album, Playboy (1987), consisted of solo acoustic piano renditions of rock songs by David Bowie
, 10cc
, The Specials
, X and others, as well as original compositions. Though both albums were released only in the UK
by the independent label Demon Records, they were critically well-received and noted for their "display [of] the artist's wit, compositional talent and abundant instrumental agility."
Nieve followed these with the albums It's Raining Somewhere (1996), Mumu (2001), and Windows (2004). His classical opera
, Welcome To The Voice, a collaboration with Muriel Téodori, was released on Deutsche Grammophon
in May 2007. The score was interpreted by Barbara Bonney
, Sting, Robert Wyatt
, Elvis Costello
, Amanda Roocroft, Nathalie Manfrino, and Sara Fulgoni
for the voices. For the music the Brodsky Quartet
interpreted a written score, whilst Marc Ribot
, Ned Rothenberg
, and Nieve improvised. Nieve also composed the score to Téodori's film Sans Plomb.
In recent years Nieve has lived in France with Téodori.
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
, best known for his work with Elvis Costello and the Attractions and Elvis Costello and the Imposters.
Musical career
The Royal College of MusicRoyal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
student joined Costello's backing band The Attractions in 1977. Nason received his musical moniker "Nieve" ' onMouseout='HidePop("76778")' href="/topics/Naïve">naïve
Naïve
Naivety , is the state of being naive—having or showing a lack of experience, understanding or sophistication. One who is naive may be called a naif.- Etymology :...
") while on the Attractions' first tour for Stiff Records
Stiff Records
Stiff Records is a record label created in London in 1976, by entrepreneurs Dave Robinson and Andrew Jakeman , and active until 1985. It was reactivated in 2007....
: it was bestowed by fellow tourmate Ian Dury
Ian Dury
Ian Robins Dury was an English rock and roll singer, lyricist, bandleader and actor who initially rose to fame during the late 1970s, during the punk and New Wave era of rock music...
who had been astonished by Nason's innocent query, "What's a groupie
Groupie
A groupie is a person who seeks emotional and sexual intimacy with a musician or other celebrity. "Groupie" is derived from group in reference to a musical group, but the word is also used in a more general sense, especially in casual conversation....
?"
Nieve played piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
, and other keyboard instrument
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
s on most of Costello's projects over the next ten years, including the album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
s This Year's Model
This Year's Model
This Year's Model is Elvis Costello's second album and his first with The Attractions, released in 1978 . It was recorded mainly at Eden Studios in West London....
(1978), Imperial Bedroom
Imperial Bedroom
Imperial Bedroom is a 1982 album by Elvis Costello and the Attractions. It was the second Costello album, along with Almost Blue, not produced by Nick Lowe, the production duties handled by Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick...
(1982), and Blood and Chocolate
Blood and Chocolate (album)
Blood & Chocolate is the eleventh studio album by the British rock singer and songwriter Elvis Costello, released in the United Kingdom as Demon Records XFIEND 80, and in the United States as Columbia 40518...
(1986). He wrote the material on The Attractions' Costello-less album, Mad About The Wrong Boy, under the name Norman Brain, in collaboration with his then girlfriend, Fay Hart.
In the mid 1980s, Costello began to work less frequently with The Attractions and stopped working with them entirely between 1987 and 1993. During this period, Nieve focused on session work for other artists (The Neville Brothers
The Neville Brothers
The Neville Brothers, an American R&B and soul group, was formed in 1977 in New Orleans, Louisiana.-History:The group notion started in 1976, when the four brothers of the Neville family, Art , Charles , Aaron , and Cyril The Neville Brothers, an American R&B and soul group, was formed in 1977 in...
, Hothouse Flowers
Hothouse Flowers
The Hothouse Flowers are an Irish rock group that combines traditional Irish music with influences from soul, gospel and rock.-Career:The group first formed in 1985 when Liam Ó Maonlaí and Fiachna Ó Braonáin began performing as street musicians, or buskers, on the streets of Dublin,Ireland as "The...
, Graham Parker
Graham Parker
Graham Parker is a British rock singer and songwriter, who is best known as the lead singer of the popular British band Graham Parker & the Rumour.-Early career :...
, Squeeze, Tim Finn
Tim Finn
Brian Timothy "Tim" Finn, OBE is a New Zealand singer and musician. Finn is most known for his music with New Zealand 1970s and 1980s rock group Split Enz, and later for his solo work, a temporary membership in his brother Neil's band Crowded House and his joint efforts with Neil Finn as the Finn...
, Kirsty MacColl
Kirsty MacColl
Kirsty Anna MacColl was an English singer-songwriter.MacColl scored several pop hits from the early 1980s to the early 1990s...
, Madness
Madness (band)
In 1979, the band recorded the Lee Thompson composition "The Prince". The song, like the band's name, paid homage to their idol, Prince Buster. The song was released through 2 Tone Records, the label of The Specials founder Jerry Dammers. The song was a surprise hit, peaking in the UK music charts...
), and David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
. Nieve released records under the group name Perils of Plastic - a collaboration with vocalist Steve Allen, releasing the singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
"Ring A Ding Ding" and "Debile Matin" (recorded live at Avenue La Grande Armée, Paris, and remixed and produced by Paul O'Duffy) and led the house band (billed as 'Steve Nieve and The Playboys') on the UK TV series Tonight with Jonathan Ross.
Costello reunited The Attractions for 1994's album Brutal Youth. Although the reunion was relatively short-lived (they split again in 1996), the Costello/Nieve collaborations never stopped. They have toured as a duo, and Nieve has contributed keyboards to all of Costello's albums since the mid-1990s, including 1998's Burt Bacharach
Burt Bacharach
Burt F. Bacharach is an American pianist, composer and music producer. He is known for his popular hit songs and compositions from the mid-1950s through the 1980s, with lyrics written by Hal David. Many of their hits were produced specifically for, and performed by, Dionne Warwick...
collaboration Painted From Memory
Painted from Memory
Painted from Memory is a collaboration between Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach. It was released September 29, 1998 on Mercury Records, a division of Universal Music Group....
, 2001's Anne Sofie von Otter collaboration For The Stars, and 2003's North.
In 2001, Costello formed a new backing band consisting of Nieve, Attractions drummer Pete Thomas
Pete Thomas
Pete Thomas is best known as the longtime drummer for Elvis Costello. Tom Waits has referred to him as "one of the best rock drummers alive".-Career:...
, and bassist Davey Faragher
Davey Faragher
Davey Faragher is an American bass guitarist from Redlands, California. Faragher's career took off and received critical notice as a founding member of the nineties band, Cracker, and his following work with The Imposters, the backing band for Elvis Costello since 2001.Faragher is an accomplished...
. The band was subsequently dubbed The Imposters. Elvis Costello & The Imposters have toured extensively and released the albums When I Was Cruel
When I Was Cruel
When I Was Cruel is Elvis Costello's 20th album, recorded in 2001 and 2002 and released in the US by Island Records on 23 April 2002. Although officially a solo Costello album, this was the first album to feature his new band, The Imposters, whose only difference from his previous band, The...
(2002), Cruel Smile
Cruel Smile
Cruel Smile is a 2002 album by Elvis Costello and the Imposters. It consists of B-sides and leftover material from the When I Was Cruel sessions. Many critics panned it. [See AllMusic review]-Tracks:All tracks by Elvis Costello except were noted...
(2003) The Delivery Man
The Delivery Man
The Delivery Man is the 21st studio album by Elvis Costello, released on Lost Highway Records, B0002593-02. It was recorded with the Imposters at Sweet Tea Studio in Oxford, Mississippi. It peaked at #40 on the Billboard 200.-Content:...
(2004), The River In Reverse (2006) with Allen Toussaint, and Momofuku
Momofuku
Momofuku may refer to:* Momofuku Ando , Taiwan-born Japanese entrepreneurThe following are named after Ando:* Momofuku by Elvis Costello* Momofuku restaurant group, owned by David Chang...
(2008).
In 2003 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers and others who have, in some major way,...
as a member of Elvis Costello & The Attractions.
Solo career
In addition to his work with Costello, Nieve has released several soloSolo (music)
In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
albums. Keyboard Jungle (1983) was his first, a combination of classical
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
and ersatz film scores delivered from his beloved Steinway
Steinway D-274
D-274 is the model name of a concert grand piano, the flagship of the Steinway & Sons line, first built in 1884.It is generally described as the first choice of most concert pianists....
piano. His second album, Playboy (1987), consisted of solo acoustic piano renditions of rock songs by David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
, 10cc
10cc
10cc are an English art rock band who achieved their greatest commercial success in the 1970s. The band initially consisted of four musicians -- Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley, and Lol Creme -- who had written and recorded together for some three years, before assuming the "10cc" name...
, The Specials
The Specials
The Specials are an English 2 Tone ska revival band formed in 1977 in Coventry, England. Their music combines a "danceable ska and rocksteady beat with punk's energy and attitude", and had a "more focused and informed political and social stance" than other ska groups...
, X and others, as well as original compositions. Though both albums were released only in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
by the independent label Demon Records, they were critically well-received and noted for their "display [of] the artist's wit, compositional talent and abundant instrumental agility."
Nieve followed these with the albums It's Raining Somewhere (1996), Mumu (2001), and Windows (2004). His classical opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
, Welcome To The Voice, a collaboration with Muriel Téodori, was released on Deutsche Grammophon
Deutsche Grammophon
Deutsche Grammophon is a German classical record label which was the foundation of the future corporation to be known as PolyGram. It is now part of Universal Music Group since its acquisition and absorption of PolyGram in 1999, and it is also UMG's oldest active label...
in May 2007. The score was interpreted by Barbara Bonney
Barbara Bonney
-Early life:Bonney was born in Montclair, New Jersey. As a child she studied piano and cello. When Bonney was 13 her family moved to Maine, where she became part of the Portland Youth Orchestra as a cellist...
, Sting, Robert Wyatt
Robert Wyatt
Robert Wyatt is an English musician, and founding member of the influential Canterbury scene band Soft Machine, with a long and distinguished solo career...
, Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
, Amanda Roocroft, Nathalie Manfrino, and Sara Fulgoni
Sara Fulgoni
Sara Fulgoni is a British mezzo-soprano.She graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music. She made her Royal Opera House debut in Verdi's Luisa Miller debut in 2003 and has sung at the Salzburg Festival, La Scala and other important houses. She sang the title role at the world premiere of ...
for the voices. For the music the Brodsky Quartet
Brodsky Quartet
The Brodsky Quartet is a British string quartet, in existence since 1972, though only Ian Belton and Jacqueline Thomas are original members.In addition to performing classical music, and in particular the classic string quartet repertoire of Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert, Bartók and Shostakovich,...
interpreted a written score, whilst Marc Ribot
Marc Ribot
Marc Ribot born May 21, 1954) is an American guitarist and composer.His own work has touched on many styles, including no wave, free jazz, and Cuban music. Ribot is also known for collaborating with other musicians, most notably Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, and composer John Zorn.-Biography:Ribot was...
, Ned Rothenberg
Ned Rothenberg
Ned Rothenberg is an American multi-instrumentalist and composer. He specializes in woodwind instruments, including the alto saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, flute, and shakuhachi...
, and Nieve improvised. Nieve also composed the score to Téodori's film Sans Plomb.
In recent years Nieve has lived in France with Téodori.