The METAlliance (Music Engineering & Technology Alliance) has announced that Niko Bolas has been named its newest member, joining original founders Chuck Ainlay, Frank Filipetti, George Massenburg, Elliot Scheiner, and Al Schmitt.
Longtime friend and colleague Al Schmitt commented, "I'm so excited to have Niko as a member of our crew. He's a very special human, always giving his time and expertise to anyone who needs it. He is also a great teacher, a very funny guy and it's a better place when he's around."
Niko Bolas is an award-winning music producer, sound engineer, consultant and business developer in the fields of virtual reality and Internet radio. His credits include work with such artists as LeAnn Rimes, The Mavericks, Prince, Neil Young, Tyler Bank, Boz Scaggs, Sheryl Crow, Toto, Los Lobos, Jewel, OneRepublic, Johnny Cash, and Keith Urban.
"I had just started my career as an engineer when serendipity brought me in contact with Niko Bolas," recalls Frank Filipetti. "We were both young, brash, and immediately drawn together by our shared passion for music. I immediately loved the guy and I've watched with pride and admiration his rise through the ranks to become the solid professional he is today."
George Massenburg added, "I'm thrilled and excited to welcome one of my oldest and dearest friends, Niko Bolas, to the META team. He brings to us what he brings to his work: a practiced honesty without egotism, passion without pretense, a wry sense of humor and a wicked wealth of scientific references. Most of all, I love his honesty."
Bolas' additional credits include Demi Lovato, The Motels, Carole King, Jeff Beck, Keith Richards, Don Henley, Rod Stewart, Graham Nash, Boston, John Mayer, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, James Taylor, Sting, Billy Joel, Linda Ronstadt, and numerous others.
Chuck Ainlay recalls, "The first time I remember hearing about Niko was way back, early in my career when I was tracking the second Maverick's album and I learned that he would be mixing it. When we finally met, I found that he was a very kind, compassionate, caring, giving and besides all that, a gifted, talented engineer and producer. With the deepest respect, I'm so proud to have Niko as the newest member of the METAlliance."
"He's clearly a great engineer/producer," remarked Elliot Scheiner, "but in talking to him you quickly learn just how smart he is, with an extensive understanding of production and equipment. It's a joy for me to welcome Niko to the METAlliance."
Niko Bolas' current music enterprise is DayDream VR and recording/mixing in his Ventura, California-based The Surf Shack Studio.
"The METAlliance has always been a buckstop for bullshit," said Bolas, "and I am thrilled just to be in their company."
METAlliance executive director Jim Pace added, "Our late founder Ed Cherney was especially fond of Niko and had a great respect for his work and character. He would be extremely happy to welcome Niko into the group."
