Nikolas Francis has been involved with computer music for most of his life, using any piece of software he can find to move the sounds from his mind into your ears. Under the alias, Niko, he self-released three CD-Rs of downtempo, drum n' bass, trip-hop and experimental music.

During the summer of 2000, Nikolas met Mike Jedlicka and began collaborating on performances and recordings. Optic Echo's (then Dick and Jane Records) first vinyl and CDs contained several of Niko's tracks. In 2003 Nikolas released his first solo album on Optic Echo, Heavy Digital Morning, using the alias, Nikolas Francis Unit. The release marked a significant change in musical direction, which has become increasingly experimental and largely influenced by free-improvisation. Nikolas has performed live electronics with various ensembles across the United States.  He currently lives, composes and performs in Boston, MA, where he is pursuing a Ph.D. in the physiology of listening at MIT and Harvard.

                                                 Heavy Digital Morning (oe002)