Nicholas Valensi is an American musician, best known for his role as lead and rhythm guitarist in the American rock band The Strokes. Since 2001, the band has released six studio albums, some of which Valensi has also contributed keyboard and backing vocals to. In 2013, he founded the band CRX, for which he acts as singer, songwriter, and lead and rhythm guitarist. Their debut album, New Skin, was released in 2016, and was followed by the 2019 album Peek. Valensi has also worked as a songwriter and session guitarist with various artists, including Sia, Regina Spektor and Kate Pierson.
Valensi performing with the Strokes on New Year's Eve 2019
Valensi in 2002
The Strokes are an American rock band formed in New York City in 1998. The band is composed of lead singer and primary songwriter Julian Casablancas, guitarists Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr., bassist Nikolai Fraiture, and drummer Fabrizio Moretti. They were a leading group of the early-2000s post-punk revival and garage rock revival movements.
The Strokes performing live; clockwise from top-left: Julian Casablancas, Nick Valensi, Nikolai Fraiture, Fabrizio Moretti, and Albert Hammond Jr.
The Strokes in 2002
The Strokes in concert, 2006
The Strokes at Austin City Limits Festival in 2010