David Andrew Sitek (born September 6, 1972) is an American musician and record producer, known for his work with his band

TV on the Radio TV on the Radio (TVOTR) is an American rock music, rock band from Brooklyn, New York, formed in 2001. The band consists of Tunde Adebimpe (vocals, loops), Dave Sitek (guitars, keyboards, loops), Kyp Malone (vocals, guitars, bass, loops), and ...

. He has also worked with bands such as

Yeah Yeah Yeahs Yeah Yeah Yeahs are an American indie rock band formed in New York City in 2000. The group is composed of vocalist and pianist Karen O (born Karen Lee Orzolek), guitarist and keyboardist Nick Zinner, and drummer Brian Chase. They are compleme ...

, Liars,

Foals A foal is an equine up to one year old; this term is used mainly for horses, but can be used for donkeys. More specific terms are colt for a male foal and filly for a female foal, and are used until the horse is three or four. When the foal is ...

, Celebration, Little Dragon,

Wavves Wavves is an American rock band based in San Diego, California. Formed in 2008 by singer-songwriter Nathan Williams (born June 12, 1986), the band also features Alex Gates (guitar, backing vocals), Stephen Pope (bass guitar, backing vocals) an ...

, Beady Eye, and

Weezer Weezer is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1992. Since 2001, the band has consisted of Rivers Cuomo (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Patrick Wilson (drums, backing vocals), Brian Bell (guitar, keyboards, backing ...

, and produced

free jazz Free jazz, or free form in the early to mid-1970s, is a style of avant-garde jazz or an experimental approach to jazz improvisation that developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s, when musicians attempted to change or break down jazz conventi ...

-influenced remixes of songs by artists such as

Beck Beck David Hansen (born Bek David Campbell; July 8, 1970), known mononymously as Beck, is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He rose to fame in the early 1990s with his Experimental music, experimental and Lo-fi mus ...

and

Nine Inch Nails Nine Inch Nails, commonly abbreviated as NIN (stylized as NIИ), is an American industrial rock band formed in Cleveland, Ohio in 1988. Its members are the singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Trent Reznor and his frequent col ...

, and has contributed a solo track to the Red Hot Organization '' Dark Was the Night'' charity compilation. He is also a

photographer A photographer (the Greek φῶς (''phos''), meaning "light", and γραφή (''graphê''), meaning "drawing, writing", together meaning "drawing with light") is a person who uses a camera to make photographs. Duties and types of photograp ...

and

painter Painting is a Visual arts, visual art, which is characterized by the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a solid surface (called "matrix" or "Support (art), support"). The medium is commonly applied to the base with ...

. In April 2008, Sitek was named number one in ''

NME ''New Musical Express'' (''NME'') is a British music, film, gaming and culture website, bimonthly magazine, and brand. Founded as a newspaper in 1952, with the publication being referred to as a "Rock music, rock inkie", the ''NME'' would be ...

s Future 50 list of the most forward thinking people in music today. In 2009, Sitek contributed a cover of "

With a Girl Like You "With a Girl Like You" is a song by English rock band the Troggs, released as a single in July 1966. On the back of the success of " Wild Thing", "With a Girl Like You" topped the charts in the UK, and was similarly a success across Europe, bu ...

" to the AIDS benefit album, '' Dark Was the Night'', produced by the Red Hot Organization. A

solo album An album is a collection of audio recordings (e.g., music) issued on a medium such as compact disc (CD), vinyl (record), audio tape (like 8-track or cassette), or digital. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early 20th century ...

from Sitek under the moniker Maximum Balloon was released on September 21, 2010, on

Interscope Interscope Records is an American record label based in Santa Monica, California, owned by Universal Music Group through its Interscope Geffen A&M imprint. Founded in late 1990 by Jimmy Iovine and Ted Field as a $20 million joint venture ...

with individual songs released as singles commencing June 15, 2010. The record includes contributions by many guests including

David Byrne David Byrne (; born May 14, 1952) is an American musician, writer, visual artist, and filmmaker. He was a founding member, principal songwriter, lead singer, and guitarist of the American New wave music, new wave band Talking Heads. Byrne has ...

, Tunde Adebimpe, and Karen O.

Early life

Born in 1972, Sitek grew up in

Columbia, Maryland Columbia is a planned community in Howard County, Maryland, United States, consisting of 10 self-contained villages. With a population of 104,681 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the second-most-populous community in Maryland ...

, together with his brothers. His mother worked in public education with a degree in child psychology and, according to Sitek, "was pretty good about letting me and my brothers explore things. So much so that helet me start a hardcore band and practice in our house when I was 14". Sitek developed an interest in music at an early age influenced by his "aunt Paula hosneaked out of the house o see

Jimi Hendrix James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix; November 27, 1942September 18, 1970) was an American singer-songwriter and musician. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential guitarists of all time. Inducted ...

in the 1960s, and was really into

Talking Heads Talking Heads were an American Rock music, rock band formed in New York City in 1975.Talking Heads

and Blondie". Dave Sitek once worked in a coffee shop with future

bandmate Kyp Malone and

Grizzly Bear The grizzly bear (''Ursus arctos horribilis''), also known as the North American brown bear or simply grizzly, is a population or subspecies of the brown bear inhabiting North America. In addition to the mainland grizzly (''Ursus arctos horr ...

bassist Chris Taylor.

Selected discography

With Jane's Addiction

* '' The Great Escape Artist'' (2011)

Production work

Sitek produced the album '' Anywhere I Lay My Head'' for actress

Scarlett Johansson Scarlett Ingrid Johansson (; born November 22, 1984) is an American actress and singer. The List of highest-paid film actors, world's highest-paid actress in 2018 and 2019, she has been featured multiple times on the Forbes Celebrity 100, ''F ...

, released in May 2008. Sitek also co-produced the debut album ''

Antidotes An antidote is a substance that can counteract a form of poisoning. The term ultimately derives from the Greek term φάρμακον ἀντίδοτον ''(pharmakon antidoton)'', "(medicine) given as a remedy". An older term in English which is ...

'' by

and the debut EP of Chicago band Aleks and the Drummer titled ''May a Lightning Bolt Caress You'' self released by the band in June 2008. He works with several Brookly
acts
having recently remixed the song "Disco Lights" for Apollo Heights and produced albums for Dragons of Zynth and

Telepathe Telepathe (pronounced ''telepathy'' and meant with some literal meaning) are an electronic pop duo from Brooklyn consisting of core members Busy Gangnes and Melissa Livaudais. The band also includes other occasional musicians, such as Ryan Lucero ...

. * The Orwells – Other Voices – Dave Sitek Version *

– '' OK Calculator'' (2002) *

– ''

'' (2002) * Love Life – ''Here Is Night, Brothers, Here the Birds Burn'' (2002) *

– ''

Fever to Tell ''Fever to Tell'' is the debut studio album by American indie rock band Yeah Yeah Yeahs, released on April 29, 2003, by Interscope Records. It was produced by David Andrew Sitek and mixed by Alan Moulder. Four singles were issued, the first bei ...

'' (2003) *

– '' Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes'' (2004) * Liars – '' They Were Wrong, So We Drowned'' (2004) * Celebration – ''Celebration'' (2006) *

– ''

Return to Cookie Mountain ''Return to Cookie Mountain'' is the second studio album by American rock band TV on the Radio. It was released July 6, 2006, worldwide by 4AD, and issued in the U.S. and Canada on September 12, 2006, by Interscope Records and Touch and Go Rec ...

'' (2006) *

– '' Show Your Bones'' (2006) * The OhSees – '' The Cool Death of Island Raiders'' (2006) * Dragons of Zynth – ''Coronation Thieves'' (2007) * Celebration – ''The Modern Tribe'' (2007) *

– ''

'' (2008) *

– '' Anywhere I Lay My Head'' (2008) * Aleks and the Drummer – ''May A Lightning Bolt Caress You!'' (2008) *

– '' Dear Science'' (2008) *

– '' Dance Mother'' (2009) * Iran – ''Dissolver'' (2009) *

– '' It's Blitz!'' (2009) * Pink Noise – ''What Will Happen If Someone Finds Out?'' (2009) * Wale – '' Attention Deficit'' (2009) * Holly Miranda – ''

The Magician's Private Library ''The Magician's Private Library'' is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Holly Miranda, released February 23, 2010, in the United States by XL Recordings. It was produced by TV on the Radio’s Dave Sitek and Celebration's ...

'' (2010) * Daniel Higgs – ''Say God'' (2010) *

– '' Nine Types of Light'' * Icky Blossoms, (2012) *

Santigold Santi White (born September 25, 1976), known professionally as Santigold (formerly Santogold), is an American singer and songwriter. Her debut studio album, '' Santogold'' (2008), was released by Atlantic Records and met with widespread critica ...

– ''

Master of My Make-Believe ''Master of My Make-Believe'' is the second studio album by American musician and singer Santigold, released in the United Kingdom on April 24, 2012 and in the United States on May 1, through Downtown and Atlantic Records. The album features co ...

'' (2012) * CSS – Planta (2013) * Ximena Sariñana – Ximena Sariñana (2012) * Bat for Lashes – The Haunted Man * Beady Eye – BE (2013) *

– ''

Mosquito Mosquitoes, the Culicidae, are a Family (biology), family of small Diptera, flies consisting of 3,600 species. The word ''mosquito'' (formed by ''Musca (fly), mosca'' and diminutive ''-ito'') is Spanish and Portuguese for ''little fly''. Mos ...

'' (2013) *

– "Mercy" and "Million Miles" (2013) * Oh Land – '' Wishbone'' (8 tracks) (2013) * Erik Hassle – "Somebody's Party" from ''Somebody's Party – EP'' (2014) * Elliphant – "Look Like You Love It" from ''Look Like You Love It'' (2014) *

Kelis Kelis Rogers (; born August 21, 1979) is an American singer-songwriter and chef. She attended Manhattan, New York's Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, where she played saxophone and was selected for the Girls Ch ...

– ''

Food Food is any substance consumed by an organism for Nutrient, nutritional support. Food is usually of plant, animal, or Fungus, fungal origin and contains essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, protein (nutrient), proteins, vitamins, ...

'' (2014) * Cerebral Ballzy – Jaded & Faded (2014) * Francisca Valenzuela – Tajo Abierto (4 tracks) (2014) *

– ''

Seeds In botany, a seed is a plant structure containing an embryo and stored nutrients in a protective coat called a ''testa''. More generally, the term "seed" means anything that can be sown, which may include seed and husk or tuber. Seeds are the ...

'' (2014) *

Pussy Riot Pussy Riot is a Feminism in Russia, Russian feminist protest and performance art group based in Moscow that became popular for its provocative punk rock music which later turned into a more accessible style. Founded in the fall of 2011 by the th ...

- Straight Outta Vagina (2016) * Preservation Hall Jazz Band – '' So It Is'' (2017) *

Beyoncé Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter ( ; born September 4, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. With a career spanning over three decades, she has established herself as one of the most Cultural impact of Beyoncé, ...

Jay-Z Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American Rapping, rapper, businessman, and record executive. Rooted in East Coast hip-hop, he was named Billboard and Vibe's 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time, the ...

– "LoveHappy" from '' Everything Is Love'' (2018) *

– ''Weezer'' (Black Album) (2019) * In the Valley Below – The Pink Chateau (2019) * Adil Omar – "The Great Unraveling" from '' Mastery'' (guitars only) (2020) *

Our Lady Peace Our Lady Peace (sometimes shortened to OLP) is a Canadian alternative rock band formed in Toronto, Ontario in 1992. Led by lead vocalist Raine Maida since its formation, the band currently also features Duncan Coutts on bass, Steve Mazur on guit ...

– '' Spiritual Machines II'' (2021) *

– '' Cool It Down'' (2022) * WitchGang (2023-2024) *

Chelsea Wolfe Chelsea Joy Wolfe (born November 14, 1983) is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Her work blends elements of gothic rock, doom metal, and folk music, folk. Growing up in Northern California with a country musician father, Wolfe began ...

– "Dusk" from '' She Reaches Out to She Reaches Out to She'' (2024) *

Skunk Anansie Skunk Anansie are a British Rock music, rock band whose members include Skin (musician), Skin (vocals, guitar), Cass (bass, guitar), Ace (guitar) and Mark Richardson (musician), Mark Richardson (drums). Skunk Anansie formed in 1994, disbanded ...

- "The Painful Truth" (2025) Though Sitek has collaborated with several Brooklyn-based indie bands, he looks upon the

indie music Independent music (also commonly known as indie music, or simply indie) is a broad style of music characterized by creative freedoms, low-budgets, and a do-it-yourself approach to music creation, which originated from the liberties afforded by in ...

movement with skepticism. In an interview with the Danish music magazine ''Soundvenue'', he explained that he is dissatisfied with the opportunistic turn music has taken, referring to the self-promoting indie bands moving to Brooklyn only to claim that they are from "the creative mecca" in order to get the attention of music magazines. This may explain why Sitek has settled down on the West coast in

Beverly Hills, California Beverly Hills is a city located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. A notable and historic suburb of Los Angeles, it is located just southwest of the Hollywood Hills, approximately northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Beverly Hills ...

. He explained, "People can't hide themselves out here. Everyone looks after his own interests. It's a very egocentric city. But I don't care what 'indie people' think. Those bands complaining about other bands selling out, got their iPod filled up with illegal music." On his solo project Maximum Balloon, Sitek collaborates with many of his old friends (among these are Karen O,

and Kyp Malone from

), whom he claims are still interested in creating beautiful songs, not only songs that the music magazines want to write about, which, he thinks, keeps music interesting.

Solo work

* '' Maximum Balloon'' (

, 2010)

Singles

* ''If You Return featuring Little Dragon'' (2010) * ''Groove Me featuring Theophilus London'' (2010) * ''Tiger featuring Aku'' (2010)

Features

* '' MF Doom – Gazzilion Ear (

Jneiro Jarel Omar Jarel Gilyard, known by his stage name Jneiro Jarel, is an American recording artist, music producer, composer, and DJ. Recognized for his versatile, abstract, and often experimental style, he is also known for his beat-making alias Dr. Who ...

feat Dave Sitek Remix)'' (2009)

Remixes

Fischerspooner Fischerspooner was an electroclash duo and performance troupe formed in 1998 in New York City after meeting in school. The name is a combination of the founders' last names, Warren Fischer and Casey Spooner. Career Originally a duo formed by ...

"Never Win (Dave Sitek Remix)" (2005), FS Studios * Hope of the States "Sing It Out (David Andrew Sitek's Skyhorse Mix)" (2006), Columbia *

Lee "Scratch" Perry Lee "Scratch" Perry (born Rainford Hugh Perry; 20 March 1936 – 29 August 2021) was a Jamaican record producer, songwriter and singer noted for his innovative studio techniques and production style. Perry was a pioneer in the 1970s development ...

"Fire in Babylon (Dave Sitek Remix)" (2006), Narnack *

"Survivalism (Dave Sitek Remix)" (2007), Interscope * The Knife "Marble House (Dave Sitek Remix)" (2007), Brille *

"Dark Star (David Andrew Sitek Remix)" (2007), Interscope * Bat for Lashes "Sleep Alone (909s In Darktimes Mix)" (2009), Parlophone *

Steven Wilson Steven John Wilson (born 3 November 1967) is an English musician. He is the founder, guitarist, lead vocalist, and songwriter of the rock band Porcupine Tree, as well as being a member of several other bands, including Blackfield, Storm Corrosi ...

"Harmony Korine (David A. Sitek Magnetized Nebula Mix)" (2009), Kscope * Fanfarlo "Fire Escape (David Sitek Remix)" (2010), Atlantic *

UNKLE Unkle (often stylised as U.N.K.L.E. or UNKLE, occasionally known as UNKLE Sounds) is a British musical outfit founded in 1992 by James Lavelle. Originally categorised as trip hop, the group once included producer DJ Shadow and have employed a ...

"Follow Me Down (Dave Sitek Remix)" (2010), Surrender All * Gypsy and the Cat "Time to Wander (David Andrew Sitek Remix)" (2010), RCA * MF Doom "Gazzillion Ear (Dave Sitek / Jneiro Jarel Remix)" (2010), Lex Records *

Tegan and Sara Tegan and Sara () are a Canadian indie pop duo formed in 1998 in Calgary, Alberta. The band is led by identical twin sisters, Tegan Rain Quin and Sara Keirsten Quin (born September 19, 1980). Both musicians are songwriters and multi-instrumentali ...

"Alligator (Dave Sitek Remix)" (2010), Sire *

Lykke Li Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson (born 18 March 1986), known as Lykke Li (), is a Swedish singer, songwriter, model and actress. Her music often blends elements of indie pop, dream pop and Electronic music, electronic. Her debut studio album, ''Youth ...

"I Follow Rivers (Dave Sitek Remix)" (2011), LL Recordings * Dels "Gob (David Andrew Sitek Remix)" (2011), Big Dada Recordings *

The Naked and Famous The Naked and Famous are a New Zealand indie electronic band from Auckland, formed in 2007. The band currently consists of Alisa Xayalith (vocals, keyboards) and Thom Powers (vocals, guitars). The band has released four studio albums: ''Passiv ...

"Young Blood (David Andrew Sitek Remix)" (2011), Universal Music *

Norah Jones Norah Jones ( ; born Geethali Shankar; March 30, 1979) is an American singer-songwriter and musician. She has won several awards for her music and, , has sold more than 53 million records worldwide. '' Billboard'' named her the top jazz artist of ...

"After the Fall (David Andrew Sitek Remix)" (2012), Parlophone *

"She's 22 (David Andrew Sitek Remix)" (2012), Parlophone *

Florence and the Machine Florence and the Machine (stylised as Florence + the Machine) are an English indie rock band formed in London in 2007 by lead vocalist Florence Welch, keyboardist Isabella Summers, guitarist Rob Ackroyd, drummer Christopher Lloyd Hayden and harp ...

"No Light, No Light (DAS Remix)" (2012), Island Records *

Run The Jewels Run the Jewels, also known by the initials RTJ, is an American hip-hop Supergroup (music), superduo, composed of Brooklyn-based rapper and producer El-P and Atlanta-based rapper Killer Mike. They released their critically acclaimed Run the Jewe ...

"Sea Legs (Dave Sitek Remix)" (2013), Fool's Gold Records

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Sitek, David Andrew 1972 births 21st-century American bass guitarists American indie rock musicians American male drummers American male bass guitarists American male songwriters American multi-instrumentalists Record producers from New York (state) American rock bass guitarists American rock drummers American rock keyboardists American rock songwriters Living people Drummers from New York City American remixers Songwriters from New York (state) 20th-century American drummers 21st-century American drummers 20th-century American male musicians 21st-century American male musicians TV on the Radio members