From DJ Nixperience to Milkbar Nick

Continuing on the musical experience

(This is a continuation on from this post)

Djing in my bedroom was awesome. I’d practice every day, trying out different tune combinations to see what worked and what didn’t. I’d mix two copies of the same song together to try and get it to phase, it was so satisfying when I did it! I’d seek out advice from local DJ’s like Chris Fresh, Archie, Mik-e and Bad Boy Troy, AKA Troy Wade, asking for tips, advice, new songs and anything related to the dance music. It wasn’t long before I started making mix tapes and hanging them out. They were probably terrible but when you record yourself you can definitely see where your weaknesses are and improve on them. I managed to find a couple in the garage, I’d love to digitise them and put them up on Soundcloud (does anyone have the equipment to do this??)

A couple of old mixtapes - just need to find something to play them on ;-)

I would cart my dodgy dj setup around to friends places and parties and DJ for them, it was so much fun and a great way to meet new people! I would just play anything and everything, the novelty of having a DJ at a party back then was pretty wild.

My old bedroom. So busy and awesome haha

.Eventually I’d get my first my first official gig. My first public performance was a Thursday night at the Redroom/Blueroom, August 5, 1999 but that doesn’t really count… so when I was working at Downtown Milkbar in Manuka, Canberra (it’s still there!) I got a call from promoter Michael Paske, he wanted me to play at his event Flying High 2 at Heaven nightclub. The main act would be Bexta, who was a pretty big deal back in 1999. I was stoked! On the call, Michael asked me what my DJ name was… I had no idea and had to make it up on the spot “ummmm…errrr…. Nixperience?”. What a name! So terrible but very much of the time ;) I’m pretty sure my set was at some stupid time like 5am but I was more than happy to stay up all night and then play from 5 until who knows what time. I remember being SO tired but loving every minute. It was amazing.

The Nixperience name was short lived and when Chris Fresh called me up to play my next gig, he suggested the name Milkbar Nick “I mean, that’s how I know you, you work at the Milkbar and your name’s Nick” Classic. That next gig was a big one, it was for Platipus Sound System which featured artists like Art of Trance and Pob, some of the biggest names in trance at the time, I couldn’t believe it, I’d be opening the night playing 10 -11. I can remember planning that set for weeks and being so nervous on the night. The night was a success, I played well and the other acts on the night smashed it, I still have vivid memories of it! From that point on I’d get more and more gigs, supporting artists like Binary Finary, Taylor (the song from American Pie!), Sasha to playing the biggest parties in Canberra like Stomp/Stonefest at University of Canberra (did I break the mixer in front of 2000 people, try to rap and tell people that ‘I AM CANBERRA’….? maybe…), The Twisted Generation parties, Trance Nation, Gatecrasher, Passion, Trackside Volkswagen car launches, Stocks Fashion parties, playing sets on Triple J’s Mix Up program and then going on to residencies at Canberra institutions like Minque, Habana/Globe, BBar and Academy. I even had a semi residency at Tank and Slip Inn in Sydney and played at Family nightclub in Brisbane (AMAZING sound system!!) I’d frequently play with partner in crime Nash T, and we’d get up to all kinds of hijinx. Oh the fun!

I had some of the best times of my life and there’s a million stories, although the details may be slightly hazy! I bloody loved being a DJ.