Nikos Ziarkas was born in Rhodes in a musical family. He started playing the guitar and formed many teenage rock bands. He started experimenting with jazz and free improvisation from a very young age. Together with his older brother, Thodoris Ziarkas, they organised many free improv and jazz events in all the small venues in the town of Rhodes. He also studied lute next to George Xylouris.

He moved to London in 2011, studied at the jazz department of the Middlesex University of London and has been active in the scene since then. Notable collaborations and works include Theon Cross, Steam Down, Nubya Garcia, Greg Saunier (Deerhoof) and Zohar Fresco.

He is the co-founder of the group Valia Calda and he is the lute player of Balothizer.