Video

Franz Nicolay


As huge fans of Franz Nicolay’s stunning performances with The Hold Steady, and subsequently his wonderful solo projects, we were excited to film this heartbreaking performance of “This Is Not A Pipe” at The Tiger Lounge.

About

Franz Nicolay

Monday, April 4th, 2011, 1:08 pm

Franz Nicolay is an American multi-instrumentalist and composer currently based in Brooklyn, New York. He is perhaps best known for playing the accordion and the piano in The World/Inferno Friendship Society and playing keyboards in The Hold Steady from 2005 to 2010. He is also notable for founding Anti-Social Music, a composer/performer collective based in New York City, and for performing in the gypsy-klezmer troupe Guignol.

Beyond his long-term association with these groups, Nicolay has worked as a producer, arranger, session player, and collaborator with many other bands, including Mischief Brew, Leftöver Crack, The Dresden Dolls, The Loved Ones, Nanuchka, and The Living End. He has performed or guested with bands including Subhumans, Choking Victim, Mariachi El Bronx, Bouncing Souls, Drive-By Truckers, Bomb the Music Industry! and Against Me!.

In 2007, Nicolay released Black Rose Paladins, a set of solo demos. Only 50 hard copies were made, which were sold at his concerts.

On November 5, 2008, Nicolay announced he would be releasing a his first full-length solo album, titled Major General, with former World/Inferno bandmate Yula Beeri currently of Nanuchka, Brian Viglione of World/Inferno and The Dresden Dolls and Jared Scott of Demander. World/Inferno saxophonist Peter Hess also appears on the album. The album was released January 13, 2009 on Fistolo Records.

In fall 2009, Nicolay released the 10″ EP “St. Sebastian of the Short Stage,” with art by Nicholas Gazin and including a short story by Nicolay. The EP featured “The Ballad of Hollis Wadsworth Mason, Jr.,” based on the character from Watchmen. He also published his first story collection, “Complicated Gardening Techniques,” on Julius Singer Press.

In 2010, Nicolay released “Luck and Courage” on Team Science Records. The album has been well received critically. Buzzlegoose.com praised Nicolay for “his wit and his energy,” and his lyrical prowess in “Luck and Courage,” saying it’s “ultimately a rewarding album.”

www.franznicolay.com

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