TLDR:
Good Kid, an indie rock band composed of programmers, co-founded by Nick Frosst, the co-founder of $5.5 billion Canadian AI startup Cohere, is almost as successful as his AI company. The band has 2.3 million monthly Spotify listeners, played at Lollapalooza, opened for Portugal. The Man, and was nominated for a Juno Award. Frosst balances his time between the band and Cohere, finding that music helps him focus on his AI work.
Good Kid, co-founded by Nick Frosst, has achieved significant success as an indie rock band composed entirely of programmers. The band, formed in 2015, has 2.3 million monthly Spotify listeners, played at Lollapalooza, and opened for Portugal. The Man. Good Kid’s single “Nomu” was a surprise hit, leading to the band releasing four albums. While Frosst is dedicated to his AI company Cohere, he values his time with Good Kid as a way to unwind and clear his mind, stating that music helps him focus on his work.
Frosst, a musician his whole life, finds balance between his musical career and AI work at Cohere. Good Kid’s success has allowed him to enjoy music without career aspirations, contrasting the typical dynamic in the music industry. Despite Good Kid’s growing profile, Frosst considers Cohere his life’s work and maintains a dedicated focus on the AI company. Balancing band practices and AI work, Frosst finds that playing music actually enhances his focus on his job at Cohere, making him a smarter person.
While Good Kid and Cohere operate in different realms, the band’s early song lyrics seemed to hint at Frosst’s future in AI, indicating a connection between the two endeavors. As Good Kid continues to grow, Frosst remains grateful for the opportunity to pursue music for fun while pursuing a successful career in AI. The band provides a creative outlet for Frosst and his team of programmers, allowing them to focus on their work at Cohere with a clear mind and enhanced focus.