User talk:Ross Niven

Ross Niven
Ross Niven (born February 15, 1979) is an Australian Musician and solo artist.

Early Career
Briefly involved as a session musician, Ross auditioned, recorded or performed with a variety of artists including Bachelor Girl, Emmanual Corella, Vanessa Amorosi, Candice Alley and Hayley Aitkin. In 2005, he became a member of From December. Formed with a work colleague and high school friend, the 5-piece quickly gained popularity in the Melbourne music scene and within 5 months of forming were put on the line-up for the Taste of Chaos Tour, with Story Of The Year, The Used, Killswitch Engaged, Behind Crimson Eyes and Juke Kartel. After the demise of From December, he then joined The Enclave in 2007. The Enclave is currently on hiatus with band members pursuing other musical outlets.

Current Work
After becoming disenfranchised with band politics and losing interest in the grind of 'musician life', Ross took several months off. In that time he began to write and record what would become his first full length album, 'Two Worlds', released in 2009. The album was very much a learning process for Ross, who normally wrote with other artists/musicians. Musically, it was a departure from Ross's previous projects, infusing heavy music with electronica and ambient styles. All completely instrumental.

"Growing up, I was almost solely influenced by heavy music. Once I started working with different people and being introduced different styles of music, my outlook changed very quickly. I saw the potential for expansion in my own music."

In 2010, the album, 'Balance' was released. Even more of a departure from 'Two Worlds', the album featured very minimal guitar, instead focusing more on piano, synths and beats. A more mainstream-sounding album, it appeared to be a labour of love for Ross, re-recording tracks and sounds repeatedly for months on end until he deemed it 'balanced'. Hence, the album title. It also garnished kudos from industry heavyweights, including seven time Grammy Award-winning Engineer, Ken Lewis. Ross also released a Prodigy-esque 5-track E.P entitle 'After The Flood'. An E.P that was produced to 'exorcise the drum and bass demons', actually gained interest in Europe quite quickly.

Returning to his heavy roots in 2011, Ross released, 'Of Man & Machine'. A darker album which appeared to be an acquired taste amongst fans, 'Of Man & Machine' was somewhat of a cathartic album for Ross to write and record, however he has made it known the entire process was 'laboured and difficult'.

Later in the year, Ross began working with other musicians and the tracks for the E.P 'Break The Silence' were written. The all-acoustic E.P turned out to be the 'Yin', to 'Of Man & Machine's, 'Yang', and has gained popularity due to its accessibility and melody.

Currently, writing album number four which is due for released in late 2012.

Personal Life
Ross was married March, 2012.

Discography
From December
 * From December E.P (2005)

Ross Niven
 * Two Worlds (2009)
 * Balance (2010)
 * After The Flood E.P (2010)
 * Of Man & Machine (2011)
 * Break The Silence E.P (2011)
 * Power: On E.P (2012)

Equipment

 * PRS Guitars
 * Belman Guitars
 * Fender Guitars
 * Hughes & Kettner Amplifiers
 * Lab Systems Amplifiers
 * Line 6
 * Boss Effects
 * Digitech Effects
 * Rotosound Strings
 * D'addario Strings
 * Dunlop Accessories