The Axe Grinders is the production duo of Brendan Nickel (guitar) and Matt Vander Boegh (production), along with an assortment of top-notch vocalists.

Each song is owned 1/3 Brendan Nickel, 1/3 Matt Vander Boegh, and 1/3 the respective vocalist.

The Axe Grinders - Vol. 1: Vocal Future Pop (Summer 2020)

“Play Pretend” features a swaggering bassline, lots of harmonies by brothers Sean and Kyle Luster, and lyrics that the band considers to be a “breakup” with 2020. This is the first time the band is releasing a song that they wrote, recorded, and mixed on their own in their basement. This is also their first new song release since 2019, marking a sleek new direction with their sound while preserving the band’s love for both melodic and instrumental hooks. (Fits alongside Charlie Puth, Dua Lipa, DNCE)

Play Pretend

We wrote the original version of "Keep You Warm" in  2016 during a snow storm. In the summer of 2018, we were asked to contribute a song to an Idaho compilation album where the proceeds would go to the Women's and Children's Alliance, which helps victims of domestic abuse. We thought this was the perfect song for that album. We cleaned up the song and set out to create sounds that felt very wintry and warm at the same time, even incorporating a fireplace into the recording. The song features our trademark harmonies and lyrics to keep you warm even on the coldest of nights.

Keep You Warm

Musical Compositions for Film, TV, and Video Games - Volume 9

Would You (THE AXE GRINDERS ft. Marcus Cohen "CaiNo")

Summer Lovin (THE AXE GRINDERS ft. Desirae Bronson)

Rodeo Love (THE AXE GRINDERS ft. Ruben Smith "RubaKnight")

Lose Somebody (THE AXE GRINDERS)

Just Can't Save Myself (THE AXE GRINDERS ft. Tamara Miller)

If We're Being Honest (THE AXE GRINDERS ft. Steve Collom)

Find My Way (THE AXE GRINDERS ft. Juliet Lyons)

Back With a Vengeance (THE AXE GRINDERS ft. Juliet Lyons)

Turn It Off (THE AXE GRINDERS ft. Marcus Cohen "CaiNo")

Stamina (THE AXE GRINDERS ft. Taylor Hill)

Running Free (THE AXE GRINDERS ft. Eric Campbell)

It'll All Get Better (THE AXE GRINDERS ft. Steve Collom)

Here To Stay (THE AXE GRINDERS ft. Aventurina King)

Brendan Nickel is a full time musician with experience in live performance, songwriting, audio engineering, and guitar instruction. He specializes in guitar based tracks ranging from downtempo ambient guitar to heavy metal and everything in between.

If We're Being Honest (THE AXE GRINDERS ft. Steve Collom)

Brendan Nickel

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