photo by riot photography
AFROKNOT is the bass & drum, solo/duo, one man, one woman band of Sean ‘The Shag’ Nowland and Nichole Cooper.
Afroknot is available for public and private engagements. We provide quality, professional, volume appropriate performance.
I have live and canned beats on a Boss Loop Station. I play live and record rhythm tracks, bass lines, and melodies then solo, sing, and rap over the top. Nichole Cooper’s vocal harmonies, leads, and original lyrics only sweeten the deal.
AFROKNOT started when I by strapped a Pignose amp to my back and lashed a Boss Loopstation to my hip and touched down on First Thursday Art Walk in The Pearl in 2005. I was immediately hired for some sit-down gigs, where I developed a taste for NOT having 40 lbs of gear on his body, and Afroknot was launched. After playing art openings, Portland Motorcycle, Marshall High School Renaissance Arts Academy, and countless days at Ben and Jerry’s on Hawthorne, I realized something was missing… another voice.
Nichole Cooper is a vocalist/song writer/ actress/dancer/choreographer currently living in Portland Oregon. She was an American Idol finalist in 2003 and has received many honors and awards for her performances including an Irene Ryan Nomination from Portland State University and the title Miss Multnomah County.
cooper & the shag
Cooper has played in several bands in the Portland area and, in addition to Afroknot, she currently fronts her own band Nichole Cooper and The New Hot Shots. Miss Cooper is actively involved with her community as a volunteer for Children’s Miracle Network, the ALS Association, and Planned Parenthood.
When she is not singing or acting her heart out, you can find her bartending in the Pearl district at Candy, or in a classroom or studio at Portland State University.
©Afroknot, 2009
