Steven Nistor


Steven Nistor is an American touring and studio drummer, best known for his work with Daniel Lanois and Sparks.

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 and Ra-Kalam Bob Moses.

Career

Nistor has recorded with producers Rick Rubin, Danger Mouse, Daniel Lanois, Tucker Martine, 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, Sparklehorse, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Peter Buck, Emmylou Harris, Gnarls Barkley, Todd Rundgren, Wild Belle, Brian Eno, Iggy Pop, Lonnie Holley, Garth Hudson, Aoife O’Donovan, Passion Pit, The Flaming Lips, Josh Klinghoffer, Ben Sollee, Beth Orton, His Name Is Alive, Hal Willner, Trixie Whitley, Laura Veirs, Bill Frisell, Michael Gibbs, Robert Plant, Buddy Guy, Alison Krauss, Skerik, Jim White, Bernie Worrell, and is a member of the bands Sparks, Brian Blade's Mama Rosa, and WL.
He was featured twice in Modern Drummer magazine, has appeared twice as a guest on the drumming podcast I'd Hit That and has taught at Interlochen Center for the Arts as well as the Detroit Institute of Music Education.

Selected discography

ArtistAlbumCreditProducer
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 CambridgeDrums-
Marissa NadlerDrumsRandall 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 & SparklehorseDark Night of the SoulDrums, Percussion, WurlitzerDanger Mouse
Gnarls BarkleyThe Odd CoupleDrumsDanger Mouse
Brandi CarlileDownpour Drums-
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

Filmography