When the Coronavirus shut us down, clubs and festivals ceased, and everyone was essentially forced inside with no definitive end in sight, DJ Times wondered: How is our tribe coping? How are DJs getting by?
So, we sent out our “Coronavirus Questionnaire” to DJ/producers from all musical genres to find out. During this period, DJ Times will continue presenting the questionnaire responses from talented music-makers from all over the world. Here’s our latest entry, this time from the Left Coast, the Australian talent Nicky Night Time (aka Nick Routledge).
How did you spend most of your pandemic time? Honestly, cooking food, making music and a lot of hiking. I thought, since I live in California, I should start digging into the amazing wilderness here whilst everything is shut down, even stretching as far up as Oregon, which is beautiful, too. I managed to make a lot of music with a ton of various friends and artists too, surprisingly. I also finished off a film I was working on last year, which is excellent! But mostly, getting back to nature was a big focus for me.
Have things changed over time? That’s a very open question [laughs]. But I guess because I sing, produce, and score, my breadth of music is always so diverse. I consider being a creative to mean I constantly evolve and learn, and I feel I’ve learned a lot over this pandemic by being centered, and following any direction I felt like going in.
Did you lose important gigs, or income-producing work? Yeah, I lost some gigs, for sure. However, I still managed to work a lot throughout this pandemic.
Are you doing anything now that can or will produce music-related income? Have you learned anything in the downtime? I have learnt to just follow what you love doing, and the income will follow, if you really push yourself in that direction. Also, a little hustle doesn’t hurt, but the way you hustle is important. Just let it flow it, baby.
What are you doing now that’s ultimately constructive to your music life/career? For example, any releases during this period? My record with Ali Love and Breakbot, “Ubiquity,” just came out, which is exciting, with a slew of amazing remixes from The Magician, ABCDJ, Lubelski and Eric Duncan coming out on my label Music To Dance To Records next month. I also have another Black Book Records release, as well as some records I have made with Chris Lake and Chris Lorenzo coming soon. We also have some exciting new signings on Music To Dance To Records, which I can’t wait to release.
What’s in your studio? I have a laptop, speakers, a mini Behringer sequencer, and a couple of random synths and pedals – but mostly nowadays, I’m in the box. I am trying so hard not to get into the modular black hole, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult to resist.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve realized during this period of social distancing? I’m most surprised by how much I miss my seeing a large group of friends all at once, either at a restaurant, bar or club. Also, I’ve realized that nature is important, and it’s also important to be kind to yourself. It’s funny how frantic we all are usually, and sometimes it’s nice to stop and just look at the sunset.
Have you done anything online recently? I’ve been watching a ton of streams during quarantine, like Damian Lazarus’ Lazpod, Robyn’s broadcasts, and, of course, Desert Hearts’ continuous DHTV programming. Now, I’m excited to curate my own Nicky Night Time & Friends night on Insomniac TV next month!
Any advice on staying sane & relatively positive through this situation? Try be present. Get out of your head. Feel the sand, the wind, hike, whatever it is, just for a minute. That’s what works for me.
To check out more Life in Lockdown interviews, click here.
