Dan is one of the most popular and influential Jewish musicians in North America, performing over 200 concerts a year. His music has become an important part of the Reform Jewish movement, with synagogue youth and clergy alike incorporating it into their curriculum and services.
His last two albums have garnered critical acclaim and a legion of growing fans. Songs like “L’takein (The Na Na Song),” “B’tzelem Elohim,” “Kehilah Kedoshah,” and “My Heart is in the East” are some of the most popular songs in Reform Judaism today. His new Album, “The Roots” launched June 2008 to rave reviews.
Grammy-nominee Mark Niemiec is a premier Nashville producer, engineer and musician known for his ability to create from “both sides of the glass.” His professional history includes some of the most innovative and accomplished projects in the contemporary musical environment. In addition to his role as recording engineer and producer for the illustrious Jewish rockers, Dan Nichols & E18hteen, Niemiec performs for audiences across the U.S. as the band’s drummer. In 2002 he was nominated for a Grammy for his engineering work on India.Arie’s multi-platinum album, Acoustic Soul. And Niemiec’s success has expanded to the film and television industry with music by his band IDE placed on TV’s Kyle XY and in the Sarah Jessica Parker’s movie, Smart People. IDE landed a 2006 distribution deal with the Japanese label Fabtone.
Niemiec, who was playing drums by age ten, majored in Music Education at the University of Southern Maine (USM). While a student, he traveled with the Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps, and taught percussion and drums to 20-30 students a week. As the instructor/arranger for the Westbrook High School Marching Band, he took the drum line to five consecutive state titles. His credits also include Rose Bowl and Citrus Bowl competitions, and musical arranger for The Southern Maine Youth Percussion Ensemble.
Following his years at USM, Niemiec studied at Full Sail Center of the Recording Arts in Orlando, Florida. Following graduation he accepted an internship at Metropolis Studios in Middleton, MA. When Metropolis opened New Reflections Studio in Nashville, Niemiec was hired as a house engineer, working with top artists including Kenny Rogers and Charley Pride
Within two years Niemiec joined the Island/Def Jam production team for 10 inch Records producing a series of rock band soundtracks for films including Scream 3, Spiderman, The Fast and the Furious, and MTV’s Return of the Rock. Additionally, during this time Niemiec engineered India.Arie’s Acoustic Soul.
Fresh on the heels of the Acoustic Soul Grammy nomination, Niemiec formed his own company focusing on his prowess as both engineer and drummer, and had successes including IDE and Dan Nichols & E18hteen. His gift as a drummer was honored in 2006 when IDE performed at Emergenza, and Mark received the Best Drummer Award. He expanded his considerable body of recorded work with Upside of Envy and Fierce Atmospheres, as well as television and film successes including CMT productions, “Mountains of Cash,” “What’s Your Name” and “Trick My Truck.”
Niemiec continues to meld his ability as an engineer/producer with his dexterity as a drummer into a symbiotic strength, creating from his trademark “both sides of the glass.” With versatility evident throughout a multi-genre discography, Niemiec’s artistic vision and technical mastery represents the best of Nashville’s expansive musical future.
Nathan is an American Studies graduate of the University of Kansas, Nathan Meckel moved to Nashville to make a name for himself. In addition to acts he’s produced, he has songwriting co-write credits with many artists as well as being an active participant in producing, engineering, writing, performing and recording in his studio.
The son of music professional Mark Meckel, Nathan had studied music technology for years and constructed his own Nashville studio, The Lab. It was there that he recorded parts of The Mercury Lounge and a blues album, Jack Trice’s 400 Miles of Bad Road. Nathan performs with and goes on tour with Dan Nichols and E18hteen.
