User:Léophonte

LÉOPHONTE aka Nicolas Léophonte is a self-taught musician from Austin, Texas. Born and raised in France, LÉOPHONTE started playing drums at an early age after listening to his dad’s records. Ray Charles, The Beatles, Howlin Wolf, Ennio Morricone and Elvis Presley were those that had the biggest impact on him.

At age 25 he moved to Austin in search of a better place for his musical development. There he found a vibrant music scene and started working quickly as a drummer for hire. Over the years, he played and recorded with artists such as The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Bo Diddley, Hal Ketchum, Chris Duarte, Christopher Cross, The Bodeans, Barfield, Denny Freeman, Robert Finley, Greyhounds, Nuevo.  In 2011 LÉOPHONTE opened Alnico Studio, a commercial recording studio in Austin, Texas.  Over the years the studio has built a solid reputation with clients like Hal Ketchum, Robert Gordon, Billy Gibbons, Nick Curran, Charley Crockett, Mitch Ryder, Lemmy, Hawkwind, The Pink Fairies, Greyhounds, The Fabulous Thunderbirds & many more.   Currently LÉOPHONTE is touring with The Fabulous Thunderbirds and recording with Nuevo.  In 2020, LÉOPHONTE started Sons of a Tyrant (SOAT) with long-time friend and musical partner Johnny Moeller.  SOAT’s music is predominantly instrumental and, like LÉOPHONTE ‘s personal compositions, mostly soundtrack music. Both are influenced by Lalo Schifrin, David Holmes, Propellerheads, Ennio Morricone.