His sounds are an introspective response to his environment that come alive with emotion. From deepest house to melancholic ambient via moody disco, he explores a wide array of styles but unifies everything he does with a unique sense of artistry on labels like Robert Johnson and Freeride Millenium. NIKKNAME's artist alias is stylized in all caps, not for mere aesthetic appeal, but to mirror the b
oldness and passion he infuses into his music. 'It's more about expressing my creative spirit than seeking attention,' says the producer, a statement that encapsulates his artistic philosophy. Each new release brings a subtle evolution in style, yet he remains steadfast in retaining a through line to his earliest work. This commitment ensures that his sounds are not just dynamic and impactful but also biographical, a testament to his unique sense of artistry. Early releases came on labels like Traum Schallplatten and Mangali before he moved to Cologne in Germany and then Vienna, Austria, where he hooked up with Freeride Millenium label boss Jorkes "and magic happened." He is now very much at the heart of the local scene and has become a mainstay on the label who has dropped solo EPs, contributed to the IMPACT compilation and collaborated with Jorkes for a pair of singles on Ombra International, while he will also soon remix Jorkes on Robert Johnson. NIKKNAME's artistic pursuits extend beyond the realm of music production. He takes a regular deep dive into his musical inspirations and influences with his show 80000 Radio on Res Radio Vienna and can be found dropping DJ sets at Club Romantica and Prst Vienna. He has also been a part of some acclaimed art exhibitions in the city, such as ''Partus Gyno'' in 2021 with Jorkes, and'' Lactans'' in 2023, both for Claudia Lomoschitz. His collaborations are equally diverse, including ''Huggy Bears'' with dancer, actor, and performer Sebastijan Gec in 2024. This year, he is set to work with Gec again, this time for an upcoming Horror-Thriller that is half performance, half video in Brut Wien. These ventures showcase NIKKNAME's versatility and his ability to seamlessly blend different art forms. Nikolaos Giannopoulos first began DJing back home in Greece and graduated to production by 2009 before going on to formally study Sound Engineering. He now works in that field as well as sound design, which means his music has an inescapable sense of character and plenty of originality. Whatever he turns his hands to, then you can be sure that NIKKNAME does it with honesty and authenticity.