Grammy-nominated music producer/performer Nicolay was born and raised in The Netherlands (Europe). He played various instruments in various bands and got a formal music education before focussing on the production side of the music making process.

Around 2002, Nicolay met rapper/singer-songwriter Phonte (of Little Brother) on the Okayplayer message boards. They struck up a partnership under the name The Foreign Exchange and released their critically acclaimed debut album Connected, which was completed solely through the use of the internet, in 2004. The success of Connected enabled Nicolay to move to the United States and further pursue his career in music. The Foreign Exchange's sophomore album, Leave It All Behind (2008), was even more succesful, culminating in the Grammy nomination for the album's first single, "Daykeeper".

-Connected (The Foreign Exchange) (2004)
-The Dutch Masters Vol. 1 (2005)
-City Lights Vol. 1.5 (2005)
-Here (2006)
-Time:Line (Nicolay & Kay) (2008)
-Leave It All Behind (The Foreign Exchange) (2008)
-City Lights Vol. 2: Shibuya (2009)

-Is really *that* tall, 6' 9'' to be exact.
-Grew up listening to his moms' record collection, equally enjoying rock, pop, soul, jazz and classical music.
-Plays keyboards, guitars, bass and a bit of drums.
-Started out playing in various funk- and R&B bands opening up for artists such as George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Larry Graham, Boyz II Men, K-Ci & JoJo and MC Lyte.
-Is classically trained in music composition and theory, and has written several (non-published) classical pieces.
-Hopes to get into composing and scoring for movies and/or TV projects.
-Considers Prince, The Beatles, Parliament-Funkadelic, Neil Young, Stevie Wonder and J Dilla to be some of his primary influences.
-Collects vintage synthesizers and keyboards.
-Erik Satie and Shostakovish are his favourite classical composers.
-Came to the US on a much sought-after O1 Visa for extraordinary talent.
-Currently lives in coastal North Carolina with his wife, dog and cat.
-Misses a lot of things about home, but Dutch cuisine isn't one of them.
-Enjoys hot Krispy Kreme donuts and pretty much anything else that contains lots of sugar.

"Life could be so nice. A wonderful world, sweet paradise. Kiss me once, kiss me twice. Life can be so nice. So nice." -Prince


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