Anika Nilles facts for kids

Anika Nilles is a talented drummer, composer, and music teacher from Germany. She became well-known through her videos on YouTube in the early 2010s. Anika has released two full music albums with her band, Nevell. These albums are Pikalar (released in 2017) and For a Colorful Soul (released in 2020).

Early Life and Education

Anika Nilles was born into a family where many people played the drums. She started learning to play the drums when she was just six years old. Her father, who was also a drummer, taught her the first drum beats. He noticed how interested she was in drumming.

After finishing school, Anika first worked in social education. However, she later decided to focus completely on drumming. She studied popular music at the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg in Mannheim, Germany.

Anika Nilles' Music Career

Anika Nilles began sharing her own music online in 2013. Her first original songs were "Wild Boy" (2013) and "Alter Ego" (2014). Her music videos often show her playing the drums along with music that was recorded earlier. She has worked with producer and guitarist Joachim Schneiss on these videos.

After gaining attention online, Anika started to get opportunities outside of Germany. She went on tours in Europe, the United States, and China in 2015.

Albums and Success

In 2017, Anika released her first album, called Pikalar. This album has 10 instrumental songs, meaning they don't have singing. To promote the album, Anika was featured on the cover of Modern Drummer Magazine in June 2017. In the interview, she explained that she made up the word "pikalar." It means things that happen in life that are hard to describe.

Anika went on a six-city tour in the United States in October 2018. She performed at places like the Chicago Music Exchange and Sweetwater Sound. Her second full album, "For A Colorful Soul," came out in 2020. Her band, Nevell, also played on this album. It was very successful, reaching number 3 on the US iTunes Top 40 Jazz charts. It also reached number 3 in Germany.

Teaching and Live Performances

Anika Nilles is also a music teacher. She teaches at Nexus ICA in the UK and at DRUMEO in Canada. She also teaches at the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg in Germany. Since 2021, she has been in charge of the drums department at the Popakademie. In 2022, Anika joined the famous musician Jeff Beck's band for his European tour.

Musical Influences

Anika Nilles has been inspired by many great drummers and musicians. One of her main influences is Jeff Porcaro, who was a member of the band Toto. Other musicians who have influenced her include Carter Beauford, Jojo Mayer, Sheryl Crow, Joe Satriani, Dave Matthews Band, Joss Stone, Stanton Moore, and Prince.

Drumming Equipment

Anika Nilles uses specific brands for her drumming equipment. She uses Meinl Cymbals and Tama Drums. She also uses Evans Drumheads. Meinl even created a special 18-inch cymbal called "Deep Hats" based on Anika's ideas. She also uses Promark drumsticks.

Drumming Style

Anika Nilles is known for her unique drumming style. She often uses different groups of notes, like quintuplets (five notes in the space of four) and sextuplets (six notes in the space of four). She plays these complex rhythms over a regular 4/4 time beat.

Awards and Recognition

Anika Nilles has won several awards for her drumming talent:

Personal Life

Anika Nilles currently lives in Mannheim, Germany.

Discography

• "Chary Life" (Sakurai Records, single, 2014)
• "Synergy" (Sakurai Records, single, 2015)
• Pikalar (Sakurai Records, full-length, 2017)
• For a Colorful Soul (Sakurai Records, full-length, 2020)
• "Florida" (Sakurai Records, single, 2021)
• Opuntia (Sakurai Records, EP, April 29, 2022)