Mannheim’s Nick Curly has been educating club-goers for over a decade. His own brand of tech house and techno is expertly displayed via his record label 8bit, as well as his era-defining imprint Cecile Records. Nick’s productions have always been a key factor in his success, where he’s signed his work to a multitude of leading labels including Truesol, Hot Since 82‘s Knee Deep In Sound and Adam Beyer‘s Drumcode. His touring schedule has him playing hundreds of shows per year which includes slots at large scale festivals and headline shows alike. Nick’s month of June is as busy as any with 15 shows in 30 days across the entire expanse of Europe, which also features an appearance in Australia to lead him into the second half of 2018.
Among his busy schedule, we caught up with Nick and were lucky enough to have him feature as our 68th Balance Selections podcast.
Balance Selections Q+A
Name:
Nick Curly
Location:
Mannheim
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/nickcurlyofficial
Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/nickcurly
Labels affiliated with:
8bit / Knee Deep in Sound / Truesoul
My last release:
What kind of music did you listen to as a child?
In my youth I heard a lot of rock and punk. With my parents, who are big rock fans, we always had that playing at home and they took me to Metallica and AC/DC concerts, for example. Later I started listening to hip-hop, breakbeats and house, as I got bored of rock.
When was the first time that you realized that you liked electronic music?
I think the first time I really got in contact with electronic music was when I went with friends to Mannheim’s legendary Milk club. They were playing house and breakbeats at that time, often on the same floor. That captured me then and I wanted to know more about this music. Later I bought my first breakbeat record. I think my very first was a Knite Force vinyl.
When was the first time you saw a DJ in a club?
As I said, I think my first experience was, as far as I can remember, in the club Milk. Unfortunately, I did not know exactly who started the evening, but from that point on we drove to Milk or afterwards to Club Vibration in Bruchsal. At that time, DJs like Sven Väth, Carl Cox and George Morel were regulars.
Definitely one of my biggest inspirations was Sven Väth back in the day. I really like the way he played and performed to his music. His label Eye Q, and also his first productions as Electrica Salsa or Harlequins were very successful.
Me and my friends had that tradition to go to Sven’s Club Omen every year after celebrating Christmas with our families. It was the biggest night of the year in that club. And we sometimes stayed there for more than 24 hours.
What was the last album that you downloaded/bought?
Last album I bought was the new one from DJ Koze called Knock Knock. It opens with a wail. It’s discordant at first, but only for a moment. Angelic vocals swoop in to dominate the mix, giving a rush of the heavenly energy that’s been so central to the DJ Koze sound.
What is your current production and DJ set up like?
I work in a studio with my colleague and friend DJ Gorge, with whom I also run the label 8Bit Records now for over 10 years. We use Ableton 10 and a variety of software synths from Arturia, Rob Papen, Native Instruments, UHE, Waves, UAD and Soundtoys. We also use some hardware from Access, Moog, Arturia, Dave Smith and Roland Boutique series.
What releases do you have on the horizon?
I just finished a remix for Sharam Jay´s classic ‘Don´t Lie’. I also have a new EP on my 8Bit Records label coming at the end of August, which includes a track called “Freedom”, for which I have worked with a proper singer again after a long time. This is a special track that has an important message for me. Hope you are going to like it.
Where can we hear you perform?
As I write this (June 19) ive just come back from Sonar week in Barcelona. Always a great laugh and some very late nights! Next gig is on Thursday night at Amnesia Ibiza where im going b2b with Martin Buttrich. We have a residency for my Trust party at Watergate in Berlin – which is always a killer party. Podcasts I like to mix it up and not do too many.
My Recommendations
The top track in my DJ wallet currently is:
HYPERLOOP – Resilience on Truesoul Records
Hyperloop is the new project of Riva Starr. This track just didn´t get out of my playlist for a month. I love the endless groovy vibe in there. Just the perfect track. Check it out.
If I could recommend only one of my tracks for you to listen to it would be:
No Takers – it´s from my latest release on my 8Bit Records label. Creates a good atmosphere in the club and always works as a secret weapon.
My favourite Balance compilation is:
I really like the one that Nic Fanciulli did. I still listen to it in my car. It has the perfect selection of tracks and definitely fits my music taste.
The last movie I watched that I really liked:
It´s Fatih Akin’s In the Fade (Aus dem Nichts) – it is a German story with Diana Kruger playing her best role.
My favourite TV show:
NDR Talk show – it´s a talk show here in Germany, which is streaming online every Friday night. I always download it and watch it on the plane on the way back home after my gigs.
If I could choose anyone to compile a Balance comp it would be:
I would choose Marco Carola. I heard him performing a few times the last few weeks and he always delivers the most grooving and inspiring sets. Would love to know what he puts on that compilation.
Tracklist to follow…
