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Revision as of 16:41, 28 March 2019

Varien
Nicolas Kaelar in 2018
Nicolas Kaelar in 2018
Background information
Birth nameNicolas Karl Pittsinger[1]
Also known as
  • Chrono Rabbit
  • Halo Nova
  • Koinu
Born (1990-05-15) May 15, 1990 (age 34)
Tampa, Florida, United States
Genres
Occupation(s)Composer, producer, DJ
Instruments
  • Piano
  • Guitar
Years active2011–present
Labels

Nicolas Varien Kaelar (born May 15, 1990), better known by his stage name Varien, is an American composer and producer. While primarily an electronic music producer, Varien has incorporated or experimented with styles of industrial, metal, orchestral, neofolk, and ambient music. He is known for his unconventional approach to electronic music, including many live instruments not normally found on electronic tracks. Most of his catalog can be described as dark, hybrid electronic music influenced by late 90s-00s culture and Japanese RPGs.

Early life

Kaelar was born on May 15, 1990 in Tampa, Florida. He claims to have had a connection to music from a very young age, and his family supported his passions. At the age of 11, Varien began playing the guitar and attempting songwriting,[2] and he joined a number of bands experimenting with genres of rock, grindcore, metalcore, and jazz, though he grew weary with the format. He then decided to focus on solo composition and began producing in 2009, with music in video games serving as his most longtime influence to date.[2] He claims Shin Megami Tensei, Final Fantasy, and Metroid as his biggest influences when it comes to games. Kaelar is also fascinated with the works of The Wachowskis.

Career

2010–13: Career beginnings

Kaelar in 2012

In August 2010, Kaelar achieved online virality with his slowed-down remix of Justin Bieber's "U Smile", titled "Justin Bieber 800% Slowed Down". He was interviewed by Entertainment Weekly and MTV and had articles written about the track from all over the world.[3]

In July 2011, Kaelar released his first Monstercat single "The Force" under the alias Halo Nova. He subsequently released two more singles under the alias before abandoning it and continuing to make music under the alias Varien, with one of the first releases as Varien being a remix of Ephixa's song "Division".[4]

On February 26, 2013, Kaelar released Pick Your Poison Vol. 1, a compilation album of trailer cues that he had done strictly for the purpose of film, television, and video game licensing. Pick Your Poison Vol. 2 released a year later.[5]

2014–16: The Ancient & Arcane

In 2014, Kaelar teamed up with Two Steps from Hell on a private trailer cue compilation entitled Open Conspiracy. 2014 saw an abundance of licenses for Varien. His music was used in trailers and promotional media for 300: Rise of an Empire, Bones, The Purge: Anarchy, Face Off, America's Next Top Model, PlanetSide 2, and Monsters: Dark Continent. Los Angeles-based singer Roniit's song "Runaway", produced by Varien, was used in multiple trailers and TV spots for the film The Loft.[6]

During his time with Monstercat, Varien reached new levels of success with all his tracks nearing or surpassing a million views on YouTube and topping worldwide charts. His track "Gunmetal Black" was made in six hours.[2]

On August 5, 2015, Kaelar released his first LP, titled The Ancient & Arcane, on Monstercat. Prior to this, he released two tracks, "Beyond the Surface" and "Aether and Light". In an interview with UKF, he elaborated on his songwriting process for the album, saying: "I make so many other types of music so I thought I’d sit down and write – no theme, no story. It’s a very Zen experience. Very spiritual. Wake up. Do yoga. Make music. No regard for the club. No regard for where it will be played or comparisons to my past music or anything else that’s going on. I’ve never gone to any of these places I’m exploring right now. I want people to listen to it and think ‘is this Varien?’ Psychedelic, worldly, ethnic, trippy... People have never seen me go there. Yet."[2]

The Ancient & Arcane was acclaimed upon release, with EDM website Dancing Astronaut calling it a "cinematic masterpiece", giving particular praise to "Ghost Spores" as "reinvigorat[ing] the soul with its harp-tinged melody and orchestral instruments that once again highlight Varien’s idiosyncratic musicianship."[7]

2017–present: Hiatus and return

In 2017, Kaelar announced a hiatus from the Varien alias and removed all of his social media accounts. In an interview with EDMSauce, he cited the psychological impact of social media on humans as his reason for going on a blackout.[8] However, in 2018, Kaelar announced via his YouTube channel that he would begin producing music under the Varien name again, after his hiatus allowed him to "take a deep breath from it all".[9] As of 2018, Varien has begun releasing music independently on his own imprint, Kitsune Soundworks, a name inspired by 90s game and media developers like RareWare, SquareSoft, Bethesda Softworks, and Arc System Works.

In April 2018, Kaelar wrote, arranged and produced K-Pop group VIXX's lead single for their album Eau de VIXX, "Scentist". The track went on to hit #1 on the Mnet charts and was licensed for Korean television shows like The Return of Superman.

As of May 2018, Kaelar had reported over 20,000,000 Spotify streams.

On October 26, 2018, Varien released his next EP, Death Asked a Question, via Most Addictive Records.[10]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Details
The Ancient & Arcane[11]
La Douleur Exquise

as Nick Kaelar

Extended plays

Title Details
Pick Your Poison, Vol. 01[12]
It's Showtime!, Vol. 01

as Chrono Rabbit

Pick Your Poison, Vol. 02[13]
Mirai Sekai

(with 7 Minutes Dead)[14]

My Prayers Have Become Ghosts[15]
Into Oblivion

as Nick Kaelar[16]

Death Asked a Question[10]
  • Released: October 26, 2018
  • Label: Most Addictive Records
  • Format: Digital download
Title Details
Bangarang EP

by Skrillex[17]

Tokyo (The Remixes)

by Gareth Emery[18]

Space & Time EP

by Celldweller[19]

Cataclasm (The Remixes)

by Crywolf

Singles

Title Year Album Label
The Force (as Halo Nova) 2011 Monstercat 001 – Launch Week Monstercat
Triceracops (as Halo Nova) Monstercat 002 – Early Stage Monstercat
Totally Radical (as Halo Nova) Monstercat 002 – Early Stage Monstercat
Cloak and Dagger Monstercat 003 – Momentum Monstercat
Throne of Ravens Monstercat 005 – Evolution Monstercat
Skrillex Orchestral Suite Bangarang OWSLA
Mirrors 2012 Monstercat 005 – Evolution Monstercat
The Alchemist's Nightmare Monstercat 006 – Embrace Monstercat
Seduction Monstercat 007 – Solace Monstercat
Resurrection of the Dagger Monstercat 009 – Reunion Monstercat
The Anthem (with Project 46 & Ephixa) Monstercat 009 – Reunion Monstercat
Nights in Bangalore Non-album single Play Me Records
Morphine Monstercat 011 – Revolution Monstercat
Lilith Monstercat 012 – Aftermath Monstercat
Nights in Bangalore Pt. 2 2013 Monstercat 012 – Aftermath Monstercat
Toothless Hawkins (And His Robot Jazz Band) (with Razihel) Monstercat 013 – Awakening Monstercat
The Scarlet Dawn Monstercat 016 – Expedition Monstercat
Memories of Melodies Past Monstercat – The Best of 2013 Monstercat
Metalworks Non-album single FiXT/Position Music
Moonlight (with SirensCeol) [featuring Aloma Steele] 2014 Monstercat 017 – Ascension Monstercat
Valkyrie (featuring Laura Brehm) Monstercat 018 – Frontier Monstercat
Gunmetal Black Monstercat 018 – Frontier Monstercat
Valkyrie II: Lacuna (featuring Cassandra Kay) Monstercat 019 – Endeavour Monstercat
Mirai Sekai Pt. 3 – Aeon Metropolis Mirai Sekai, Monstercat 019 – Endeavour Monstercat
Whispers in the Mist (featuring Aloma Steele) Monstercat 020 – Altitude Monstercat
Aether and Light 2015 Monstercat 022 – Contact Monstercat
Supercell (featuring Veela) The Ancient & Arcane, Monstercat 023 – Voyage Monstercat
Hypnotique (featuring Charlotte Haining) The Ancient & Arcane, Monstercat 023 – Voyage Monstercat
Beyond the Surface Non-album single Self-released
Valkyrie III: Atonement (featuring Laura Brehm) Monstercat 024 – Vanguard Monstercat
We Are the Lights (with Mr FijiWiji) Monstercat 025 – Threshold Monstercat
Milkshakes and Chill (as Koinu) 2016 Non-album single Self-released
Storm The Gates (as Koinu) [with Sakuraburst] Non-album single Self-released
#SHIBESQUAD (as Koinu) Non-album single Self-released
Gainax Bounce (as Koinu) Non-album single Self-released
Tomodachi (as Koinu) Non-album single Self-released
Kuroneko (as Koinu) Non-album single Self-released
Sacred Woods (featuring Skyelle) Monstercat 027 – Cataclysm Monstercat
TEVA833 My Prayers Have Become Ghosts, Monstercat 029 – Havoc Monstercat
Catherine (with K?D) 2017 Non-album single Self-released
Wrath of God (with Teri Miko) [featuring Flowsik] Non-album single Spinnin' Records
Mutiny Non-album single Outerloop Records
Blood Hunter 2018 Non-album single Self-released
The Dark Harvest Non-album single Self-released
Of Foxes and Hounds Non-album single Self-released
Claws Non-album single Self-released
Monarch Butterfly Non-album single Self-released
Never Ending (with SWARM) Non-album single Self-released
Eventide (with Diskord) Non-album single Circus Records
Oh, Sparrow Non-album single Self-released
Death Asked a Question Death Asked a Question Most Addictive Records

Film/TV/video games

Kaelar also composes and licenses music for all forms of visual media. His music has appeared in the following:

Year Title
2012 Intervention
2013 Breaking Amish: Los Angeles
2013 Pain & Gain
2013 The Tomorrow People
2013 The Challenge: Rivals II
2013 NASCAR Race Hub
2013 Runner Runner
2014 America's Next Top Model
2014 300: Rise of an Empire
2014 PlanetSide 2
2014 The Purge: Anarchy
2014 Face Off
2014 M.A.V.
2014 Monsters: Dark Continent
2014 Bones
2014 The Loft
2015 The Walking Dead
2015 Furious 7
2017 Injustice 2
2017 Doki Doki Literature Club
2018 America's Got Talent
2018 The Return of Superman (TV series)

References

  1. ^ "Varien on Twitter: "OFFICIAL."".
  2. ^ a b c d Jenkins, Dave (January 27, 2015). "Exclusive: Varien is about to blow minds with his new album!". UKF Music. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
  3. ^ "Entertainment Weekly interview with Nick Pittsinger".
  4. ^ "LISTEN: Varien's (formerly Halo Nova) remix of Ephixa's "Division" - Suburban Apologist". Suburban Apologist. October 26, 2011. Archived from the original on February 27, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ "Varien Releases "Pick Your Poison Vol. 02"". January 27, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  6. ^ "Two Steps From Hell: Open Conspiracy «  Trailer Music News". trailermusicnews.com. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  7. ^ Diaz, Jordan (August 10, 2015). "Varien's debut album 'The Ancient & Arcane' is a cinematic masterpiece". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
  8. ^ "Varien Goes On a Social Media Blackout... What Does It Mean? [EDMSAUCE Exclusive Interview]". December 1, 2017. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved June 20, 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ Varien (January 27, 2018), Varien is Returning [VLOG], retrieved February 1, 2018
  10. ^ a b "Varien weaves a dark and vulnerable web in 'Death Asked A Question' [EP Premiere + Interview]". www.dancingastronaut.com. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  11. ^ Endykiewicz, Paige (August 6, 2015). "The Ancient & Arcane LP by Varien Finally Emerges [Monstercat]". Your EDM. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
  12. ^ "NEWS: Varien Releases Cinematic Inspired Album «  Bring the Noise UK". www.bringthenoiseuk.com. Archived from the original on August 17, 2017. Retrieved August 17, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ "Varien discusses composing for video games, Pick Your Poison Vol 2". The Untz. January 31, 2014. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
  14. ^ Meadow, Matthew (September 3, 2014). "Varien & 7 Minutes Dead - Mirai Sekai EP [Monstercat]". Your EDM. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
  15. ^ MrRyanHarcourt (November 8, 2016). "Varien - My Prayers Have Become Ghosts EP - EDMTunes". EDMTunes. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
  16. ^ "Position Music - Nick Kaelar "Into Oblivion"". www.positionmusic.com. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
  17. ^ "Skrillex - Bangarang EP - Reviews - Alternative Press". Alternative Press. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
  18. ^ "Gareth Emery - Tokyo (The Remixes) - EDMupdate". EDMupdate. April 9, 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
  19. ^ "Space & Time [Discontinued]". Klayton.info. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
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