After visiting Scrub, talented UK DJ Nick Bridges picked up a pair of Genelec 8341s to outfit his new studio. We paid a visit to Nick in his studio to check out his set up and ask him a few questions; here is what we learned.
What first interested you in music?
I started playing keys from a young age, but it was the UK rave scene that really shaped my career in my teens as the underground started to cross over. I was fascinated with energy, scene and music, so I borrowed some decks, took a train down to London to buy my first two records and taught myself how to mix. A year later I was playing in clubs.
Do you feel as creatively fulfilled in the studio as you do on stage?
More so. DJing is a thrill, but you are restricted to the amount of manipulation you can use during a set. Clubbers are there to get lost in the music, not to hear a DJ show off and murder the track! There is no creative limit or timescale in the studio and there is no bigger buzz than coming up with that one riff, sound, loop or drop in the studio that you know will do the damage.
Have you always been into both live performance and studio work?
I started DJing first and was introduced to Jon Pearn (Full Intention) when I was playing at Pacha Ibiza for Ministry of Sound. We spoke about doing a track together. Two UK top tens, 100 million YouTube views, an Ivor Novello, MTV VMA and two IDMA nominations later, we’re still working together as Bodyrox.
What technology do you think has most changed the DJ scene as you know it?
There is so much new technology coming through, but I guess the biggest fundamental change during my career was moving from vinyl to digital. The creative options you have at your fingertips now enable you to manipulate tracks and sounds with ease and even create a track live. Unfortunately, with the invention of MP3s came illegal file sharing and a generation who thought it was their right to have music for free. The music industry watched on as streaming services dictated what music was worth, financially crippling the industry.
What excites you about the future of music?
Even since I started producing, technology has changed so much. DAWs are more powerful and easier to use than ever, enabling you to put your ideas down quicker, allowing you to concentrate on your creative flow rather than complex engineering. Music technology is moving so fast, you never stop learning. Every year, there are more plug-ins to inspire and ignite creativity.
You’ve also started a management company, what advice do you find yourself giving young artists?
This industry is tough and fickle. You need a thick skin and the ability to accept rejection whilst focusing on the end goal…but it’s worth it!
What have you got lined up for 2019?
I’m about to announce a new underground project under a new name. I have an album’s worth of material finished which I’m so happy with. Quite possibly the best music I’ve ever produced. Stay tuned…
