Cohere Co-Founder Nick Frosst's Indie Band, Good Kid, Achieves Comparable Success to His AI Company

A Life of Rhythm and Reason

Nick Frosst, co-founder of the $5.5 billion Canadian AI startup Cohere, has been making music for as long as he can remember. In an interview with TechCrunch, Frosst revealed that once he started singing, he never stopped. This passion for music is still evident today, as Frosst balances his full-time job at Cohere with being the frontman of Good Kid, an indie rock band composed entirely of programmers.

The Birth of Good Kid

Good Kid was formed in 2015 at the University of Toronto by a group of computer science students, including Frosst. The band’s debut single, "Nomu," was released at the end of that year and quickly gained traction on Spotify. With over 2.3 million monthly listeners, Good Kid has established itself as a notable indie rock band in the Canadian music scene.

From Garage Band to Lollapalooza

Good Kid’s rise to fame is a testament to Frosst’s dedication to his craft. The band played at Lollapalooza in August, opening for Portugal. The Man when they toured Canada last fall. Good Kid was also nominated for the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences’ breakthrough group of the year at the Juno Awards this year.

The Intersection of Music and AI

Interestingly, even when Frosst is focused on making music with Good Kid, he and his bandmates are still thinking about AI. The band’s first single, "Nomu," features a musical medley that nods to indie pop rock groups like Two Door Cinema Club. However, the song also contains lyrics that reference the tech upon which Frosst’s company, Cohere, would later be founded.

Cohere: A $5.5 Billion Venture

About a year after Good Kid released its debut album in 2018, Frosst co-founded Cohere with Aidan Gomez and Ivan Zhang. Today, Cohere is a top-watched startup that offers AI models for enterprises. The company has raised over $970 million in venture capital from backers like Salesforce, Nvidia, Cisco, and Oracle, and is currently valued at $5.5 billion.

Finding Balance Between Music and Cohere

Frosst revealed that finding balance between his music career and work at Cohere hasn’t been too difficult. The band meets twice a week for two-hour practices, and when Good Kid goes on tour, the members work remotely as programmers before taking the stage at night to play shows.

The Benefits of Music for AI Work

Frosst believes that being a musician helps him with his job at Cohere. He claims that playing music clears his mind, gives him dedicated time to focus, and makes him a smarter person. This unique perspective highlights the intersection of creativity and technology in Frosst’s life.

A Grateful Musician

In an interview with TechCrunch, Frosst expressed his gratitude for finding himself in this situation. He believes that being able to pursue music as a passion project, rather than solely for career aspirations, is a rare privilege.

The Duality of Nick Frosst: A Conclusion

Nick Frosst’s journey from musician to co-founder of Cohere is a testament to the power of creativity and innovation. As Frosst continues to balance his music career with work at Cohere, he remains an inspiration to those in both the music and tech industries.

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