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{{Short description|English musician and composer}}
{{short description|English musician and composer}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| image = Steve Nieve.JPG
| image = Steve Nieve.JPG
<!-- NOTE: Do not replace Steve Nieve.JPG unless it is with a photo under a public domain or free license (meaning NOT fair use). Any fair use photos (i.e. 'promotional photos') violate the Fair Use Policy and will be deleted. See [[Wikipedia:Fair]] use criteria -->
<!-- NOTE: Do not replace Steve Nieve.JPG unless it is with a photo under a public domain or free license (meaning NOT fair use). Any fair use photos (i.e. 'promotional photos') violate the Fair Use Policy and will be deleted. See [[Wikipedia:Fair]] use criteria -->
| alt =
| alt =
| caption = Nieve performing in 2012
| caption = Nieve performing in 2012
| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| birth_name = Stephen John Nason<ref name="Strong">{{cite book |last=Strong |first=Martin C. |year=2003 |title=The Great Indie Discography |publisher=Canongate |isbn=1-84195-335-0 |pages=36–8}}</ref>
| birth_name = Stephen John Nason<ref name="Strong">{{cite book |last=Strong |first=Martin C. |year=2003 |title=The Great Indie Discography |publisher=Canongate |isbn=1-84195-335-0 |pages=36–38}}</ref>
| alias = Steve A'dore, Maurice Worm, Norman Brain
| alias = Steve A'dore, Maurice Worm, Norman Brain
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1958|2|21}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1958|2|21}}
| origin = [[London]], England
| origin = London, England
| genre = {{hlist|[[Punk rock]]|[[New wave music|new wave]]|[[Ska music|ska]]|[[post-punk]]}}
| genre = {{hlist|[[Punk rock]]|[[New wave music|new wave]]|[[Ska music|ska]]|[[post-punk]]}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Musician|composer}}<!--Please do not add to this list without first discussing your proposal on the talk page. -->
| occupation = {{hlist|Musician|composer}}<!--Please do not add to this list without first discussing your proposal on the talk page. -->
| instrument = {{hlist|Keyboards|synthesizer|theremin|guitar}}
| instrument = {{hlist|Keyboards|synthesizer|theremin|guitar}}
| years_active = 1977–present
| years_active = 1977–present
| associated_acts = {{hlist|[[Elvis Costello]]|[[The Attractions]]|[[Madness (band)|Madness]]}}
| associated_acts = {{hlist|[[Elvis Costello]]|[[The Attractions]]|[[Madness (band)|Madness]]}}
| label = {{hlist|[[429 Records|429]]|[[Stiff Records|Stiff]]|[[Radar Records|Radar]]|[[F-Beat Records|F-Beat]]|[[Demon Music Group|Demon]]|[[Columbia Records|Columbia]]|[[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]]|[[Mercury Records|Mercury]]|[[Island Records|Island]]|[[Deutsche Grammophon]]|[[Universal Music Group Nashville|Lost Highway]]|[[Verve Records|Verve]]|[[Hear Music|HearMusic]]|[[Rykodisc]]|[[Rhino Entertainment|Rhino]]|[[Hip-O Records|Hip-O]]}}
| label = {{hlist|[[429 Records|429]]|[[Stiff Records|Stiff]]|[[Radar Records|Radar]]|[[F-Beat Records|F-Beat]]|[[Demon Music Group|Demon]]|[[Columbia Records|Columbia]]|[[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]]|[[Mercury Records|Mercury]]|[[Island Records|Island]]|[[Deutsche Grammophon]]|[[Universal Music Group Nashville|Lost Highway]]|[[Verve Records|Verve]]|[[Hear Music|HearMusic]]|[[Rykodisc]]|[[Rhino Entertainment|Rhino]]|[[Hip-O Records|Hip-O]]}}
| website = {{URL|stevenieve.com}}
| website = {{URL|stevenieve.com}}
}}
}}

'''Steve Nieve''' ({{IPAc-en|n|aɪ|ˈ|iː|v}} "naïve"; born '''Stephen John Nason''', 21 February 1958) is an English musician and composer. In a career spanning more than 40 years, Nieve has been a member of [[Elvis Costello]]'s backing bands [[the Attractions]] and the Imposters, as well as [[Madness (band)|Madness]]. He has also experienced success as a prolific [[session musician]], featured on a wide array of other artists' recordings.
'''Steve Nieve''' ({{IPAc-en|n|aɪ|ˈ|iː|v}} "naïve"; born '''Stephen John Nason''', 21 February 1958) is an English musician and composer. In a career spanning more than 40 years, Nieve has been a member of [[Elvis Costello]]'s backing bands [[the Attractions]] and the Imposters, as well as [[Madness (band)|Madness]]. He has also experienced success as a prolific [[session musician]], featured on a wide array of other artists' recordings.


In 2003, he was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] as a member of Elvis Costello and the Attractions.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://rockhall.com/inductees/byyear/2003/ |title=Inductees by Year (2003) |publisher=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame |access-date=22 January 2011}}</ref>
In 2003, he was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] as a member of Elvis Costello and the Attractions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rockhall.com/inductees/byyear/2003/ |title=Inductees by Year (2003) |publisher=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame |access-date=22 January 2011}}</ref>


==Early years==
==Early years==
Nieve was born in [[Bishop's Stortford]],<ref>[http://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php/Musician,_January_1984 Steve Nieve Elvis Costello's keyboard attraction]</ref> England, and was educated at [[St Dunstan's College]] in London and later attended the [[Royal College of Music]], but dropped out in 1977 to join Costello's backing band [[the Attractions]].<ref name="Strong" /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/nieve-635623-songs-costello.html|title=Steve Nieve goes at it alone for Los Angeles show|date=19 September 2014|author=Larsen, Peter|access-date=27 September 2015|newspaper=Orange County Register}}</ref> Nason received his musical moniker "Nieve" (pronounced "[[Naivety|naïve]]") while on the Attractions' first tour for [[Stiff Records]]. It was bestowed by tourmate [[Ian Dury]] who had been astonished by Nason's innocent query, "What's a [[groupie]]?"<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Paumgarten |first=Nick |date=8 November 2010 |title=Brilliant Mistake: Elvis Costello's boundless career |magazine=The New Yorker |pages=48–59 |url=http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/11/08/101108fa_fact_paumgarten |access-date=22 January 2011}}</ref> Before that, at least briefly, he had been using the [[stage name]] "Steve A'dore" (a pun on [[stevedore]]).<ref>{{cite book |last=Gimarc |first=George |title=Punk Diary: The Ultimate Trainspotter's Guide To Underground Rock, 1970–1982 |page=95}}</ref>
Nieve was born in [[Bishop's Stortford]],<ref>[http://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php/Musician,_January_1984 Steve Nieve Elvis Costello's keyboard attraction]</ref> England, and was educated at [[St Dunstan's College]] in London and later attended the [[Royal College of Music]], but dropped out in 1977 to join [[Elvis Costello]]'s backing band [[the Attractions]].<ref name="Strong" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Larsen |first=Peter |title=Steve Nieve goes at it alone for Los Angeles show |url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/nieve-635623-songs-costello.html |newspaper=Orange County Register |date=19 September 2014 |access-date=27 September 2015}}</ref> Nason received his musical moniker "Nieve" (pronounced "[[Naivety|naïve]]") while on the Attractions' first tour for [[Stiff Records]]. It was bestowed by tourmate [[Ian Dury]] who had been astonished by Nason's innocent query, "What's a [[groupie]]?"<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Paumgarten |first=Nick |date=8 November 2010 |title=Brilliant Mistake: Elvis Costello's boundless career |magazine=The New Yorker |pages=48–59 |url=http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/11/08/101108fa_fact_paumgarten |access-date=22 January 2011}}</ref> Before that, at least briefly, he had been using the [[stage name]] "Steve A'dore" (a pun on [[stevedore]]).<ref>{{cite book |last=Gimarc |first=George |title=Punk Diary: The Ultimate Trainspotter's Guide To Underground Rock, 1970–1982 |page=95}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
Nieve played piano, organ and other keyboard instruments on most of Costello's projects over the next ten years, including the albums ''[[This Year's Model]]'' (1978), ''[[Imperial Bedroom]]'' (1982) and ''[[Blood & Chocolate]]'' (1986).<ref name="Strong" /> On the 1984 Costello album ''[[Goodbye Cruel World (Elvis Costello album)|Goodbye Cruel World]]'' and its accompanying tour, he was credited as "Maurice Worm." His instrument credit on the album was not for playing keyboards, but for providing "random racket". He wrote some material on The Attractions' Costello-less album, ''Mad About the Wrong Boy'' under the name Norman Brain, in collaboration with his then girlfriend, Fay Hart. (He also wrote other songs on the album as Steve Nieve.)
Nieve played piano, organ and other keyboard instruments on most of Costello's projects over the next ten years, including the albums ''[[This Year's Model]]'' (1978), ''[[Imperial Bedroom]]'' (1982) and ''[[Blood & Chocolate]]'' (1986).<ref name="Strong" /> On the 1984 Costello album ''[[Goodbye Cruel World (Elvis Costello album)|Goodbye Cruel World]]'' and its accompanying tour, he was credited as "Maurice Worm". His instrument credit on the album was not for playing keyboards, but for providing "random racket". Under the name Norman Brain he wrote some material on The Attractions' Costello-less album ''Mad About the Wrong Boy'' in collaboration with his then girlfriend, Fay Hart. (He also wrote other songs on the album as Steve Nieve.)


In the mid-1980s, Costello began to work less frequently with the Attractions and stopped working with them entirely between 1987 and 1993. During this period, Nieve focused on session work for other artists ([[the Neville Brothers]], [[Hothouse Flowers]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://observer.com/1999/08/costello-sideman-steve-nieve-now-he-has-a-trio-of-his-own/|title=Costello Sideman Steve Nieve: Now He Has a Trio of His Own|website=[[The New York Observer]] |date=16 August 1999}}</ref> [[Graham Parker]], [[Squeeze (band)|Squeeze]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/123527-squeeze-spot-the-difference-tour.html |title=Squeeze – 'Spot The Difference' Tour |publisher=Altsounds.com |date=12 November 2010 |access-date=21 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401070625/http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/123527-squeeze-spot-the-difference-tour.html |archive-date=1 April 2011}}</ref> [[Tim Finn]], [[Kirsty MacColl]], [[Madness (band)|Madness]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://observer.com/1999/08/costello-sideman-steve-nieve-now-he-has-a-trio-of-his-own/|title=Costello Sideman Steve Nieve: Now He Has a Trio of His Own|website=[[The New York Observer]] |date=16 August 1999}}</ref> [[Nick Heyward]]<ref name="Allmusic">{{cite web|title =North of a Miracle - Nick Heyward |publisher=AllMusic |url ={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=mn0000395633|pure_url=yes}} | access-date =2015-06-29}}</ref> and [[David Bowie]]).<ref name="Thompson">{{cite book |last=Thompson |first=Dave |year=2007 |title=Hallo Spaceboy: The Rebirth of David Bowie |publisher=ECW Press |isbn=978-1-55022-733-8 |page=32}}</ref> Also in 1986, Nieve formed the group the Perils of Plastic with ex-[[Deaf School]] vocalist Steve Allen, releasing three non-charting singles in the UK in 1986 and 1987. Around the same time, he led the house band (billed as Steve Nieve and The Playboys) on the UK TV series ''[[Jonathan Ross|The Last Resort with Jonathan Ross]]''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Larkin |first=Colin |year=1998 |title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music}}</ref>
In the mid-1980s, Costello began to work less frequently with the Attractions and stopped working with them entirely between 1987 and 1993. During this period Nieve focused on session work for other artists ([[the Neville Brothers]], [[Hothouse Flowers]],<ref name=own>{{cite web |title=Costello Sideman Steve Nieve: Now He Has a Trio of His Own |url=https://observer.com/1999/08/costello-sideman-steve-nieve-now-he-has-a-trio-of-his-own/ |website=[[The New York Observer]] |date=16 August 1999 |access-date=7 October 2023}}</ref> [[Graham Parker]], [[Squeeze (band)|Squeeze]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/123527-squeeze-spot-the-difference-tour.html |title=Squeeze – 'Spot The Difference' Tour |publisher=Altsounds.com |date=12 November 2010 |access-date=21 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401070625/http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/123527-squeeze-spot-the-difference-tour.html |archive-date=1 April 2011}}</ref> [[Tim Finn]], [[Kirsty MacColl]], [[Madness (band)|Madness]],<ref name=own/> [[Nick Heyward]]<ref name="Allmusic">{{cite web |title=North of a Miracle – Nick Heyward |publisher=AllMusic |url ={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=mn0000395633|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=29 June 2015}}</ref> and [[David Bowie]]).<ref name="Thompson">{{cite book |last=Thompson |first=Dave |year=2007 |title=Hallo Spaceboy: The Rebirth of David Bowie |publisher=ECW Press |isbn=978-1-55022-733-8 |page=32}}</ref> Also in 1986, Nieve formed the group the Perils of Plastic with ex-[[Deaf School]] vocalist Steve Allen, releasing three non-charting singles in the UK in 1986 and 1987. At around the same time he led the house band (billed as Steve Nieve and The Playboys) on the UK TV series ''[[Jonathan Ross|The Last Resort with Jonathan Ross]]''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Larkin |first=Colin |author-link=Colin Larkin |title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |year=1998}}</ref>


Costello reunited the Attractions for 1994's album ''[[Brutal Youth]]''. Although the reunion was relatively short-lived (they split again in 1996), the Costello/Nieve collaborations never stopped. They have toured as a duo, and Nieve has contributed keyboards to all of Costello's albums since the mid-1990s, including 1998's [[Burt Bacharach]] collaboration ''[[Painted From Memory]]'', 2001's [[Anne Sofie von Otter]] collaboration ''[[For the Stars]]'' and 2003's ''[[North (Costello)|North]]''.
Costello reunited the Attractions for 1994's album ''[[Brutal Youth]]''. Although the reunion was relatively short-lived (they split again in 1996), the Costello/Nieve collaborations never ceased. They have toured as a duo, and Nieve has contributed keyboards to all of Costello's albums since the mid-1990s, including 1998's [[Burt Bacharach]] collaboration ''[[Painted From Memory]]'' and 2001's [[Anne Sofie von Otter]] collaboration ''[[For the Stars]]''.


In 2001 Costello formed a new backing band consisting of Nieve, Attractions drummer [[Pete Thomas (drummer)|Pete Thomas]], and bassist [[Davey Faragher]]. The band was subsequently dubbed the Imposters. Elvis Costello & the Imposters have toured extensively and released the albums ''[[When I Was Cruel]]'' (2002), ''[[North (Costello)|North]]'' (2003), ''[[The Delivery Man]]'' (2004), ''[[The River in Reverse]]'' (2006) with [[Allen Toussaint]], ''[[Momofuku (album)|Momofuku]]'' (2008), ''[[National Ransom]]'' (2010), ''[[Look Now]]'' (2018) and ''[[The Boy Named If]]'' (2022). In 2020 Nieve won a Grammy for his work with Elvis Costello and the Imposters on ''[[Look Now]]''. Nieve (sans Imposters) accompanied Elvis Costello again on ''[[Hey Clockface]]'' (2020).
In 2001 Costello formed a new backing band consisting of Nieve, Attractions drummer [[Pete Thomas (drummer)|Pete Thomas]], and bassist [[Davey Faragher]]. The band were subsequently dubbed the Imposters. Elvis Costello & the Imposters have toured extensively and released the albums ''[[When I Was Cruel]]'' (2002), ''[[North (Costello)|North]]'' (2003), ''[[The Delivery Man]]'' (2004), ''[[The River in Reverse]]'' (2006, featuring [[Allen Toussaint]]), ''[[Momofuku (album)|Momofuku]]'' (2008), ''[[National Ransom]]'' (2010), ''[[Look Now]]'' (2018) and ''[[The Boy Named If]]'' (2022). In 2020, Nieve won a Grammy for his work with Costello and the Imposters on ''Look Now''. Nieve (without the other Imposters) accompanied Costello again on ''[[Hey Clockface]]'' (2020).


==Solo career==
==Solo career==
In addition to his work with Costello, Nieve has released several solo albums. ''Keyboard Jungle'' (1983) was his first, a combination of classical and ersatz film scores delivered from his beloved [[Steinway D-274|Steinway]] piano.<ref name=NTPRG89>{{Cite book |title=The New Trouser Press Record Guide |edition=Third |last=Robbins |first=Ira |author-link=Ira Robbins |year=1989 |publisher=Collier Books |location=New York |isbn=0-02-036370-2 |page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780020363705/page/397 397] |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780020363705/page/397 }}</ref> His second album, ''Playboy'' (1987), consisted of solo acoustic piano renditions of rock songs by [[David Bowie]], [[10cc]], [[the Specials]], [[X (American band)|X]] and others, as well as original compositions. Though both albums were released only in the UK by the independent label [[Demon Music Group]], they were critically well received and noted for their "display [of] the artist's wit, compositional talent and abundant instrumental agility."<ref name=NTPRG89/>
In addition to his work with Costello, Nieve has released several solo albums. ''Keyboard Jungle'' (1983) was his first, a combination of classical and ersatz film scores delivered from his beloved [[Steinway D-274|Steinway]] piano.<ref name=NTPRG89>{{cite book |title=The New Trouser Press Record Guide |edition=third |last=Robbins |first=Ira |author-link=Ira Robbins |year=1989 |publisher=Collier Books |location=New York |isbn=0-02-036370-2 |page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780020363705/page/397 397] |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780020363705/page/397}}</ref> His second album, ''Playboy'' (1987), consisted of solo acoustic piano renditions of rock songs by [[David Bowie]], [[10cc]], [[the Specials]], [[X (American band)|X]] and others, as well as original compositions. Though both albums were released only in the UK by the independent label [[Demon Music Group]], they were critically well received and noted for their "display [of] the artist's wit, compositional talent and abundant instrumental agility."<ref name=NTPRG89/>


Nieve followed these with the albums ''It's Raining Somewhere'' (1996), ''Mumu'' (2001) and ''Windows'' (2004). His classical opera, ''[[Welcome to the Voice]]'', a collaboration with [[Muriel Téodori]], was released on [[Deutsche Grammophon]] in May 2007.<ref name="Bessman">{{cite magazine |last=Bessman |first=Jim |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UBAEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22steve+nieve%22&pg=PA65 |title=Operatic Obsession Finds Expression |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=19 August 2000 |access-date=21 November 2010}}</ref> The [[Sheet music|score]] was interpreted by [[Barbara Bonney]], [[Sting (musician)|Sting]], [[Robert Wyatt]], [[Elvis Costello]], Amanda Roocroft, Nathalie Manfrino and [[Sara Fulgoni]] for the voices. For the music the [[Brodsky Quartet]] interpreted a written score, while [[Marc Ribot]], [[Ned Rothenberg]] and Nieve improvised. Nieve also composed the score to Téodori's film ''Sans Plomb''.<ref name="Bessman" />
Nieve followed these with the albums ''It's Raining Somewhere'' (1996), ''Mumu'' (2001) and ''Windows'' (2004). His classical opera, ''[[Welcome to the Voice]]'', a collaboration with [[Muriel Téodori]], was released on [[Deutsche Grammophon]] in May 2007.<ref name="Bessman">{{cite magazine |last=Bessman |first=Jim |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UBAEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22steve+nieve%22&pg=PA65 |title=Operatic Obsession Finds Expression |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=19 August 2000 |access-date=21 November 2010}}</ref> The [[Sheet music|score]] was interpreted by [[Barbara Bonney]], [[Sting (musician)|Sting]], [[Robert Wyatt]], Elvis Costello, Amanda Roocroft, Nathalie Manfrino and [[Sara Fulgoni]] for the voices. For the music the [[Brodsky Quartet]] interpreted a written score, while [[Marc Ribot]], [[Ned Rothenberg]] and Nieve improvised. Nieve also composed the score to Téodori's film ''Sans Plomb''.<ref name="Bessman" />


In 2008 ''[[Welcome to the Voice]]'' was premiered at the ''Theatre du Châtelet'' Paris with ''[[Sting (musician)|Sting]]'', ''[[Elvis Costello]]'', and ''Sylvia Schwartz'' in the role of Lily.
''Welcome to the Voice'' was premiered at the [[Théâtre du Châtelet]] in Paris in 2008, with Sylvia Schwartz in the role of Lily, and the involvement of both Sting and Costello. In 2014, Nieve released ''ToGetHer''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Steve Nieve: ToGetHer |url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/177360-steve-nieve-together/ |website=PopMatters |access-date=8 May 2016}}</ref>
In 2014, he released ''ToGetHer''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/177360-steve-nieve-together/|title=Steve Nieve: ToGetHer|website=PopMatters|access-date=2016-05-08}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
In recent years, Nieve has lived in France with his wife [[Muriel Téodori]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6266572/5-questions-with-steve-nieve-elvis-costellos-world-class-sideman |title=5 Questions with Steve Nieve, Elvis Costello's World-Class Sideman|author=Willman, Chris|magazine=Billboard|date=29 September 2014|access-date=27 September 2015}}</ref>
In recent years, Nieve has lived in France with his wife Muriel Téodori.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Willman |first=Chris |title=5 Questions with Steve Nieve, Elvis Costello's World-Class Sideman |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6266572/5-questions-with-steve-nieve-elvis-costellos-world-class-sideman |magazine=Billboard |date=29 September 2014 |access-date=27 September 2015}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{reflist|30em}}


==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 09:44, 7 October 2023

Steve Nieve
Nieve performing in 2012
Background information
Birth nameStephen John Nason[1]
Also known asSteve A'dore, Maurice Worm, Norman Brain
Born (1958-02-21) 21 February 1958 (age 66)
OriginLondon, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • composer
Instruments
  • Keyboards
  • synthesizer
  • theremin
  • guitar
Years active1977–present
Labels
Websitestevenieve.com

Steve Nieve (/naɪˈiːv/ "naïve"; born Stephen John Nason, 21 February 1958) is an English musician and composer. In a career spanning more than 40 years, Nieve has been a member of Elvis Costello's backing bands the Attractions and the Imposters, as well as Madness. He has also experienced success as a prolific session musician, featured on a wide array of other artists' recordings.

In 2003, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Elvis Costello and the Attractions.[2]

Early years

Nieve was born in Bishop's Stortford,[3] England, and was educated at St Dunstan's College in London and later attended the Royal College of Music, but dropped out in 1977 to join Elvis Costello's backing band the Attractions.[1][4] Nason received his musical moniker "Nieve" (pronounced "naïve") while on the Attractions' first tour for Stiff Records. It was bestowed by tourmate Ian Dury who had been astonished by Nason's innocent query, "What's a groupie?"[5] Before that, at least briefly, he had been using the stage name "Steve A'dore" (a pun on stevedore).[6]

Career

Nieve played piano, organ and other keyboard instruments on most of Costello's projects over the next ten years, including the albums This Year's Model (1978), Imperial Bedroom (1982) and Blood & Chocolate (1986).[1] On the 1984 Costello album Goodbye Cruel World and its accompanying tour, he was credited as "Maurice Worm". His instrument credit on the album was not for playing keyboards, but for providing "random racket". Under the name Norman Brain he wrote some material on The Attractions' Costello-less album Mad About the Wrong Boy in collaboration with his then girlfriend, Fay Hart. (He also wrote other songs on the album as Steve Nieve.)

In the mid-1980s, Costello began to work less frequently with the Attractions and stopped working with them entirely between 1987 and 1993. During this period Nieve focused on session work for other artists (the Neville Brothers, Hothouse Flowers,[7] Graham Parker, Squeeze,[8] Tim Finn, Kirsty MacColl, Madness,[7] Nick Heyward[9] and David Bowie).[10] Also in 1986, Nieve formed the group the Perils of Plastic with ex-Deaf School vocalist Steve Allen, releasing three non-charting singles in the UK in 1986 and 1987. At around the same time he led the house band (billed as Steve Nieve and The Playboys) on the UK TV series The Last Resort with Jonathan Ross.[11]

Costello reunited the Attractions for 1994's album Brutal Youth. Although the reunion was relatively short-lived (they split again in 1996), the Costello/Nieve collaborations never ceased. They have toured as a duo, and Nieve has contributed keyboards to all of Costello's albums since the mid-1990s, including 1998's Burt Bacharach collaboration Painted From Memory and 2001's Anne Sofie von Otter collaboration For the Stars.

In 2001 Costello formed a new backing band consisting of Nieve, Attractions drummer Pete Thomas, and bassist Davey Faragher. The band were subsequently dubbed the Imposters. Elvis Costello & the Imposters have toured extensively and released the albums When I Was Cruel (2002), North (2003), The Delivery Man (2004), The River in Reverse (2006, featuring Allen Toussaint), Momofuku (2008), National Ransom (2010), Look Now (2018) and The Boy Named If (2022). In 2020, Nieve won a Grammy for his work with Costello and the Imposters on Look Now. Nieve (without the other Imposters) accompanied Costello again on Hey Clockface (2020).

Solo career

In addition to his work with Costello, Nieve has released several solo albums. Keyboard Jungle (1983) was his first, a combination of classical and ersatz film scores delivered from his beloved Steinway piano.[12] His second album, Playboy (1987), consisted of solo acoustic piano renditions of rock songs by David Bowie, 10cc, the Specials, X and others, as well as original compositions. Though both albums were released only in the UK by the independent label Demon Music Group, they were critically well received and noted for their "display [of] the artist's wit, compositional talent and abundant instrumental agility."[12]

Nieve followed these with the albums It's Raining Somewhere (1996), Mumu (2001) and Windows (2004). His classical opera, Welcome to the Voice, a collaboration with Muriel Téodori, was released on Deutsche Grammophon in May 2007.[13] The score was interpreted by Barbara Bonney, Sting, Robert Wyatt, Elvis Costello, Amanda Roocroft, Nathalie Manfrino and Sara Fulgoni for the voices. For the music the Brodsky Quartet interpreted a written score, while Marc Ribot, Ned Rothenberg and Nieve improvised. Nieve also composed the score to Téodori's film Sans Plomb.[13]

Welcome to the Voice was premiered at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris in 2008, with Sylvia Schwartz in the role of Lily, and the involvement of both Sting and Costello. In 2014, Nieve released ToGetHer.[14]

Personal life

In recent years, Nieve has lived in France with his wife Muriel Téodori.[15]

References

  1. ^ a b c Strong, Martin C. (2003). The Great Indie Discography. Canongate. pp. 36–38. ISBN 1-84195-335-0.
  2. ^ "Inductees by Year (2003)". Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  3. ^ Steve Nieve Elvis Costello's keyboard attraction
  4. ^ Larsen, Peter (19 September 2014). "Steve Nieve goes at it alone for Los Angeles show". Orange County Register. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  5. ^ Paumgarten, Nick (8 November 2010). "Brilliant Mistake: Elvis Costello's boundless career". The New Yorker. pp. 48–59. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  6. ^ Gimarc, George. Punk Diary: The Ultimate Trainspotter's Guide To Underground Rock, 1970–1982. p. 95.
  7. ^ a b "Costello Sideman Steve Nieve: Now He Has a Trio of His Own". The New York Observer. 16 August 1999. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  8. ^ "Squeeze – 'Spot The Difference' Tour". Altsounds.com. 12 November 2010. Archived from the original on 1 April 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
  9. ^ "North of a Miracle – Nick Heyward". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  10. ^ Thompson, Dave (2007). Hallo Spaceboy: The Rebirth of David Bowie. ECW Press. p. 32. ISBN 978-1-55022-733-8.
  11. ^ Larkin, Colin (1998). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music.
  12. ^ a b Robbins, Ira (1989). The New Trouser Press Record Guide (third ed.). New York: Collier Books. p. 397. ISBN 0-02-036370-2.
  13. ^ a b Bessman, Jim (19 August 2000). "Operatic Obsession Finds Expression". Billboard. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
  14. ^ "Steve Nieve: ToGetHer". PopMatters. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  15. ^ Willman, Chris (29 September 2014). "5 Questions with Steve Nieve, Elvis Costello's World-Class Sideman". Billboard. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
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