|
From Bartending and DJing stock here at Syrup, St.Nick knows how to
make the perfect 'boompty' cocktail to keep you dancing all night:
1 part- Classic Chicago percussion
1 part- Chopped up, bootlegged Hip Hop vocals
1 part- 1930s Ragtime Horns
a dash of 'new jack' bass and synths
...all mashed up with an appropriate amount of cutting and backspins!!
St.Nick started DJing in Devonport way back in 2000. The only nightclub in
town had 2 archaic SL1200 turntables, an equally decrepit Rane mixer, and
a large selection of late 90's house, pop and hard house records.
It was the pumped up, 'hoovers and horns' sound of Hard House that first
made St.Nick take to the decks.Labels such as Tidy Trax, Nukleuz and Tin Rib
featured heavily.
But when the Hard House sound died in about 2003-2004, St.Nick found the
less brutal, but no less energetic Party Breaks scene, of Plump DJs, Hyper, and
Aquasky and Masterblaster. It was about this time that he, along with another
DJ mate decided that Devonport needed a dedicated electronic music ‘Dance Party’.
The event, which was a resounding success, was called Northern Light ’03, and
bought Andy Van of Madison Avenue to the small city.
The success of the one-off Northern Light, lead to a monthly club night
called “Sexy”. Show casing local talent, Sexy was a mix of Breaks, House, tech,
and bangers from the emerging Electro sound (which would eventually take over
the world). The ill-fated Sexy, after around 12 events of mixed success,
finally ended in 2005. And who would have been a more appropriate guest than
Andy Van for the last Sexy.
During the remainder of 2005, and most of 2006, St.Nick took a break from
the decks… Maybe to concentrate on uni, maybe to refocus the happier side of
the scene, who knows.
Late ’06 saw St.Nick exposed to the genre he now plays and loves; Chicago ‘Jackin’
House. The chance meeting of local DJ Dave Webber, and subsequent Sunday
sessions Djing and getting pissed with Webber reignited St.Nick’s love for the
scene, and what it was all about; Playing great tracks to make people dance!!
Fast forward to the ‘business end’ of 2008, and St.Nick holds a regular residency
at Syrup’s La Casa club night, and has had guest appearances The Lower House,
and The Metz in Sandy Bay. In July, he played opening slot for personal idol; James
Curd of Chicago’s Greenskeepers.
Early ’09 sees St.Nick play in “The Shed” for the Taste Festival, as well as
increasing numbers of gigs at various bars and clubs in Hobart.
If you are up for something a little different. A syncopated treat of
chopped up vocals and 1930’s swing horns, then St.Nick’s ‘boompty’ Chicago
House sound is right up your alley!!
Now, The Questions:
What do you
love/hate about the current state of the electronic music scene??
Love- The fact that there is sooo much awesome talent out there!! So many brilliant producers with amazing, fresh sounds.
Hate- Electronic music has become blase. It used to be something to get excited about... Now every TV commercial has electronica backing music, pop CDs have electronica on them, and every 'fully-sick' car on the block has The MoS Annual pumping out of the speakers. Its become the 'cool' thing, but that has been at the expense of its soul!!
Where is
the scene going... what will be the ‘next big thing’
Next big thing?? Who knows... I reckon the sound will go deep and progressive again. The in-your-face electro thing is dying, and will be replaced with deeper, smarter tunes
All your CD
of yours get stolen... Which one would you miss the most??
Some of my old Tidy and Nukleuz hard housecds from '01 and '02. They'd be very difficult to replace
A phrase,
word or tagline that describes what you play, or how you play it??
Boompty!! A descriptive term coined by Derrick Carter
What else
are you into outside DJing??
Cars, and Sneakers (Mainly Converse)
Why DJing??
Who/what inspired you??
Possibly a combination of being unable to master the guitar at school, and a need to be different to the others (Not many DJs about where I grew up)
What makes
your sets/style different to other DJs?? What sets you apart??
Not many people around Hobart are playing the Chicago sound. I love how it can be played low and slow for background cafe music, or pumped up loud and fast for dance floor madness!! The swing-influenced horns certainly add a certain 'something'
First or
most memorable danceparty/rave??
"Northern Light" in Devonport in '03. First event as a promoter, first event of its kind in Devonport, and Andy Van... Great fun!!
Worn out
CDs... What do you do to them??
I microwave them, then stick them on the walls of the house
Genre of
choice.. Why do you play it??
The syncopated percussion.. That seems to 'shuffle' along, has always beena favourite rhythm to me... There is something aesthetically pleasing about it; something that makes you subconsciously nod your head or tap your foot. In higher doses, it makes you wanna dance... Something DJ Liv calls "auto-booty"
Misconceptions
about DJs/DJing that really annoy you??
Main one is that we carry every single song ever created in our record bags!! I am playing a set of swing-driven Chicago House, and I'll get asked for The Presets or Bryan Adams... Can't you [i]hear[/i] that this stuff is entirely different??
What was
your first 12in record??
Nukleuz Blue Label- "Future Acid House" by Lisa Pin-Up
How long
have you been playing??
On and off for about 8 years. Had a break for a few years... But got drawn back!!
Fave
DJs/Producers??
Bryan Jones, The Sound Republic, Byron Foxx, Bobby and Klein.
Can you
recommend a DJ or Producer that we should all go and check out??
The Sound Republic. 2 guys from Chicago, leading the way with chopped vocals and crazy basslines. Pioneers of the "New Jack" sound!! www.THESOUNDREPBULIC.com or www.myspace.com/thesoundrepublic
You have
been given a tent at a festival, and a bottomless budget. Which 5 electronic
acts are playing??
Crazy Penis (full Live set)
Bryan Jones & Joey Youngman (back 2 back)
James Curd
The Sound Republic
Bobby & Klein
Santiago & Bushido
2 hours each, in that order!!
|
FREEFALL is the brand-spanking-new record label for Melbourne Hard Dance legend DR. WILLIS... and what better way to celebrate its birth than with a Brand new Double CD and Launch party!!
