Carl Nicholson

Style
Hard Trance, House, Hard House


Profile
London born and bred DJ Carl Nicholson is a Hard Trance legend, Carl has been at the forefront of the UK Underground dance scene for over a decade now and his CV certainly reflects this, over the past 10 years he has played in some of the worlds most famous nightspots including Ministry of Sound, Fabric and Brixton Academy alongside most of the worlds most prolific DJ’s, so many in fact that the list could be the complete “Who’s Who” of UK dance industry. He has held residency at gay iconic showcase “DTPM” at Fabric (London), Ministry Magazines No 2 club of 2003 “Gifted” at the Matrix (Reading), “Trancendental” at Summum (Ibiza) and the London “TDV Memorials” which were held at Heaven and Brixton Academy, also smaller outfits including “Rush” at Club 414 (London) and “Self-Indulgence” (London). He has also guest at virtually every major clubbing name brand from coast to coast including Frantic, Heat, Wildchild, Sundissential and Sundissential North, and has completed tours of Ibiza, Poland and Eastern Europe and also Not forgetting that he in 2000 beat 15’000 competitors to come 8th in the Coca Cola UK DJ of the Year competition held in Reading.

Over the past 4 years Carl has also made a name for himself as a producer to be reckoned with, with his first collaboration with the inimitable James Lawson being signed to world leading label Nukleuz Records, “Times like These” was and still is given anthem status by leading artists including Lisa Lashes, Anne Savage, Rob Tissera and Nick Sentience and was play listed numerous times on Radio 1, not forgetting also it was licensed to no less than 7 compilations including Extreme Euphoria 2 and Resonate 2. From there Carl went on to complete collaboration with Mixmag Future Hero Ali Wilson which was picked up by Billy “Daniel” Bunter’s Honey pot imprint, and this was play listed by Pete Wardman & Graham Gold on Kiss 100fm.

After a well earned break from production, 2004 was to launch Carl into the stratosphere, over the past 12 months he has been tireless in completing further projects alongside the best producers our scene has to offer. Ingo, Matt Williams, Alf Bamford, Simon Parkes and James Lawson have all recently been at the helm with him and from this he has forthcoming tracks on Tidy Trax, Elasticman and Oblivion Records with many more being considered by other big brand outfits.

But Carl’s main strength is that of the DJ, from the moment that places track to platter he oozes pure stage presence, unlike many DJ’s Carl is a people’s DJ; he rides the groove alongside every single clubber on the floor and can always be seen screaming and jumping with the crowd like a man possessed. This coupled with his phenomenal mixing ability is a recipe for utter dance floor devastation. 
“So why have I never really heard of him before??” I hear you say, well the answer to that is simple, Carl doesn’t consider himself as an iconic DJ pin-up, he is a clubber pure and simple and plays the records because he loves the music and the people that it attracts, many DJ’s in our scene today are a product of big brand marketing by the hierarchy but to become a REAL DJ takes many years of playing to the floorboards, knock backs, and blood, sweat and tears.

That was how Carl’s idol Tony de Vit made his mark and Carl wouldn’t have it any other way, 4 years back Carl was playing at his Gifted residency alongside the godfather of house “Todd Terry” and asked him what he thought of the current way DJ’s were sourced and marketed and he got this reply; “I Look at the Disc Jockey like an great oak tree, if you want to get a tree growing fast it’s easier to take a cutting from a healthy one and plant in fertile soil and it will grow, but if you want to grow a tree so it will last, you plant a seed and let nature take it course, the cutting will probably last a few years, the seed will last forever!!! So in a nutshell what I am trying to convey to you is, from small seeds to great oaks grow!”

Prepare yourself because this DJ is ready to reach his branches skyward!!!!

Events Played
Frantic, Timeless, Sundissential, Miss Moneypennys, Sundissential North, Heat, Insomniacz, Naughty But Nice, TDV Trust, 
Sin: ergy, Oblivion, Wild child, Concrete, Fevah, Fahrenhite, Milk, Ohm, Gifted, Big Beat Boutique, Glastonbury Festival, DTPM, Lunar, Trade, Match Made in Heaven, Tonic (Eden, Ibiza), Phuture, Sunny Side Up, Mind Over Matter, Trinity, Strawberry Sundae, Viva Le Trance, Self Indulgence, Sanctuary, Sleep Walkers, Naughty By Nice, Hot N’ Ripe Productions, Fresh Productions, Rave Monkey, WOSP, Pickle, Atomic Energy, Just Groove, Tickle, Feersum, Solid, Afterssential, Substance, Rush, Rude Not 2 and Freshly Squeezed, Lunar, Addiction, Kinetic, Summit to name the majority.

Venues Played
LONDON: Fabric (Main Room), Brixton Academy (Main Room), Camden Palace (Main Room), Fridge (Main Room), Ministry Of Sound (Main Room), Studio 33 (Main Room), Fire (Main Room), Aquarium (Main Room), Imperial Gardens (Main Room), Heaven (Main Room), Turnmills, Glasshouse (Main Room), Mass (Main Room), Club 414, The Office, Bar Rumba, Crash (Main Room), Sahara Nights (Main Room). BRISTOL: The Maze (Main Room), The Blue Rooms (Main Room). READING: The Matrix (Main Room), The Boxing Club. HEREFORD: Crystal Rooms (Main Room). BIRMINGHAM: The Sanctuary (Main Room), Subway City (Main Room). WOLVERHAMPTON: The Mezzanine (Main Room). IBIZA: Eden (Main Room), Summun (Main Room), Coastline and Bar Kanya. POLAND: Boomtown, Olstyn (Main Room), Mekka, Warsaw (Main Room). AUSTRALIA: Gas, Sydney (Main Room), Elevation, Melbourne (Main Room), Black Cat, Adelaide (Main Room) NEW ZEALAND: Cube, Auckland (Main Room)

Tours Booked/Played
Miss Moneypennys Tour, Mixmag “Out There” Tour, MTV Dance floor Chart Tour, Tidy Tour, Nukleuz Tour, Big Beat Boutique Tour, Smirnoff Tour, Alphabet City Tour, Sundissential Tour, Frantic and Fevah Destination Ibiza Tour, Wildchild Vs Riot, Global Panic OZ/NZ Tour.

Played Alongside:
Alan Thompson, Alex P, Alistair Whitehead, Ali Wilson, Andy Farley, Andy Whitby, Anne Savage, Ariel, Azzizo Da Bass, Billy 'Daniel' Bunter, B.K, Brandon Block, Charlotte Birch, Chemical Brothers, C J Mackintosh, Dan Madams, Darren Emerson, Darren Pearce, Dave Pearce, Disco Brothers, Eddie Haliwell, Ed Real, Fatboy Slim, Farley 'Jackmaster'Funk, Fergie, Graham Gold, Guru Josh, Ian M, James Lawson, Jeremy Healy, JFK, John Kelly, John '00' Fleming, John the Dentist, Judge Jules, Justin Bourne, Knuckleheadz, K90, Lab 4, Lee Haslam, Lisa German, Lisa Lashes, Lisa Pin-Up, Luke Brancaccio, Matt Cassar, Nick Sentience, Paul Glazby, Pete Wardman, Phil Reynolds, Rachel Auburn, Rob Tissera, Sarah Chapman, Scott Bond, Simon Eve, Smokin' Jo, Steve Blake, Steve Lee, Steve Thomas, Stimulant DJ's, Super fast Oz, Tara Reynolds, The Sharp Boys, The Tidy Boys, Todd Terry, Tony Price, Yomanda & a Partridge in a pear tree. (Flyers are available to view upon request.)

Tracks Currently Signed to
Tidy Trax, Nukleuz Records, Fevah Records, Honeypot Records, Global Panic Records, Elasticman, Oblivion Records, Species, Extreme Euphoria 2 (Telstar), Resonate 2 (Tidy), Anthem Transmission (Aus), Rising (S.A). The Soundtrack to my Life Mixed by Yoshi (Aus), Tidy Addict (Tidy), Dirty Weekender 7 Mixed by Rob Tissera (Tidy), Tidy Euphoria (MOS).

Tracks Airplay
Carl Nicholson & James Lawson – Times Like These (Nukleuz)
Radio 1 – Dave Pearce Dance Anthems – Sept 02
Radio 1 – Lisa Lashes One Live from Nottingham – Nov 02
Kiss 100 FM – Pete Wardman Show – Dec 02
Carl Nicholson & Ali Wilson – Superstitious (Honeypot)
Kiss 100 – Pete Wardman Show – Oct 03
Kiss 100 – Graham Gold Show – Jan 04 

Television Appearances
Trisha Goddard Show – Channel 5 – Representing Clubland and Hedonism on a show 
Themed on Club Land. 10th Feb 2005.

Discography
Carl Nicholson – Ricochet (Fevah House 006) Sept 2001 
Written & Produced by Carl Nicholson.
Carl Nicholson & James Lawson – Times Like These/Hard Trance EP 2 (Nukleuz) Sept 2002
Written & Produced by Carl Nicholson & James Lawson.
Carl Nicholson & Ali Wilson – Superstitious/UK Hard Trance EP 4 (Honeypot) Sept 2003
Written & Produced by Carl Nicholson & Ali Wilson.
Carl Nicholson & Matt Williams – Streamline/Equinox Rmx (Elasticman) May 2005
Written and Produced by Carl Nicholson and Matt Williams.
Carl Nicholson – Eruption/(Oblivion) Aug 2005
Written & Produced by Carl Nicholson & Simon Parkes.
Carl Nicholson – The Music Makerz (Oblivion) Aug 2005
Written & Produced by Carl Nicholson & Simon Parkes.
Carl Nicholson – Burning Bridges (Unsigned) Apr 2003
Written & Produced by Carl Nicholson. Engineered By James Lawson. 
Carl Nicholson & RFO – Immortal (Global Panic Records) May 2005
Written and Produced by Carl Nicholson & Rich O’Brien 
Technikal presents Carl Nicholson – System Shock (Tidy Trax) May 2005
Written and Produced by Carl Nicholson and Alf Bamford.
Carl Nicholson & Ingo – Ur Day Is Over (Global Panic Recs) May 2005
Written and Produced by Carl Nicholson & Ingo.
Carl Nicholson – AK-47 (Global Panic Records) Feb 2005
Written and Produced by Carl Nicholson & Alf Bamford
Carl Nicholson – Lose Control (London Town) (Global Panic Recs) Feb 2005
Written & Produced by Carl Nicholson.
Carl Nicholson & James Lawson – Times Like These/Carl Nicholson 2005 Rmx (Nukleuz) July 2005 
Remix Written & Produced by Carl Nicholson.
Carl Nicholson – Paradise (Species Uprising) Feb 2005
Written and Produced by Carl Nicholson
Carl Nicholson & Ben Kaye – I can’t Stop (Global Panic) Aug 2005
Written and Produced by Carl Nicholson & Ben Kaye
Carl Nicholson & Ben Kaye – Playing God (TBC) Feb 2005
Written and Produced by Carl Nicholson & Ben Kaye
Carl Nicholson – Somebody Scream (TBC) Aug 05
Written and Produced by Carl Nicholson & Greg Brookman
Carl Nicholson & K Complex – Outta Here (Global Panic Records) Sept 05
Written and Produced by Carl Nicholson & Pete Richardson
Carl Nicholson & Chrysus – 2Dance2 (Elasticman) Sept 05
Written and Produced by Carl Nicholson & Mickey D

History
Dec 1994 – Carl gets his first London set at The Sanctuary, Grays Inn. This was the breeding ground of many a big name including Luke Branccacio (Bedrock/Credence), Roosta (Honeypot) and Marc French (Heat). It was here he began the recruitment of his now phenomenal fan base; his original followers included many icons of today including Phil Reynolds (Frantic/Nukleuz), James Lawson (Nukleuz/The Edison Factor), Ali Wilson (Vicious Circles/Honey pot) and Ian Betts (Sleepless), all of whom made many trips as clubbers to Grays Inn.

Feb 1995 – Carl begins to spread his wings on the scene and is given bookings from underground outfits Jump, Sleepwalkers (Where he played alongside acid house pioneer Guru Josh) and Evolution.

Nov 1995 – Carl’s first big break, a booking for a “Reclaim the Streets” NYE party in which the derelict Social Security was squatted in Grays Inn Road, and 6 sound systems set up. The attendance was well over 5000 people.

Jan 1996 – Carl begins to be a regular on the London Hard house scene and over the next year is given regular sets from the original pioneers of club land including Strawberry Sundae, Trinity and Sunny Side Up.

April 1996 – Carl is given his first weekly residency at Self Indulgence, London, of which he held for 2 years. Also he receives his first booking from Frantic for “Provocation”.

Jan 1997 – The authorities that be declare Trance “dead and buried” and in comes the garage scene. Needless to say that it was a quiet year ahead, although he did pick up his second residency at a club called Naughty By Nice.

Jan 1998 – Carl gets his first booking from Fevah, which was being held, at “The Tube” in Tottenham Court Rd, enter the “Age of Hard House” and a time that will always hold dear to his heart. This was Carl’s first real taste of the antipodean scene, and what a flavour.
Feb 1998 – Following the highly successful set at Fevah, Carl is given a set at Fevah’s sister party “Fahrenhite”. Carl then goes on to rip the roof clean off its steels, and is awarded a monthly slot, which lasted for nearly two years.

July 1998 – Carl receives a booking from what then was the biggest underground event in London “WOSP”, and is billed alongside John “00” Fleming.

August 1998 – In stream the bookings, Pickle, Atomic Energy, Just Groove, and Neighborhood Dilemma all jump on the bandwagon and start booking him on a regular basis.

Feb 1999 – Carl has his first major signing to DTPM; this was the beginning of their residency at the world renowned “Fabric” in London, in which Carl was the only DJ to ever play Hard House in Fabric for them. It was here Carl built up the Gay side of his following, and kept his slot for over 2 years.

June 1999 – Carl plays Malibu Stacey’s spiritual home “The Hanover Grand” in Mayfair, London for Tickle Productions alongside Kiss FM’s Pete Wardman.


Oct 1999 – Carl is awarded yet another residency at “Feersum” at The Chunnel Club, London alongside the ever popular Dan Madams.

Dec 1999 – Carl fights his way through the “Coca-Cola UK DJ of the Year” competition to come 15th out of 5500 applicants.

Jan 2000 – Carl plays his first ever-main room set for “Mind Over Matter” held at Camden Palace, London.

March 2000 – Carl plays his first ever-main room set at “Substance” held at the Fridge, London. 
April 2000 – Carl plays his first ever-main room set at “Match Made In Heaven” held at Heaven, London.

Aug 2000 – Carl plays at the Frantic 3rd Birthday at Camden Palace.


Jan 2001 – Carl plays Ministry of Sound on New Years Day in the main room and also lands a residency at “Gifted” at the Matrix, Reading.

Feb 2001 – Carl is featured on the “Miss Moneypennys Tour” held at the Matrix alongside Fergie. Not forgetting also that Carl upstages Jeremy Healy to a capacity crowd at the Mixmag tour at Matrix.

June 2001 - Carl has his first ever track “Ricochet” signed to Fevah Records, and plays a 3 hr launch party set at Heaven, London and is also recruited for summer for the Frantic and Fevah Destination Ibiza Tour.

July 2001 – Carl co-promotes the first ever-southern Tony De Vit Memorial alongside Fevah Productions. This was held at Brixton Academy and attracted over 4000 clubbers.

August 2001 – Carl plays last set on opening night of Glastonbury Festival alongside Scott Bond, Jeremy Healy in the Smirnoff Dance tent & not forgetting Carl plays a guest slot on Ministry of Sound Radio. Also he is booked to play Insomniacz at Gods kitchen’s flagship club “Code” in Birmingham.

Sept 2001 – Carl lands a promotions manager position at The Matrix and arranges collaboration nights alongside the biggest and best parties/labels in the land including Nukleuz Tour feat Knuckleheadz/Ed Real, Sundissential meets Gifted feat Rob Tissera, Tidy Trax Tour Feat Stimulant DJ’s/Lee Haslam. Not forgetting on top of all this he gets to play his second set in 4 months at the fierce ruling Brixton Academy for SSUP Dance Forum.

Nov 2001 – Carl gets a booking for “Solid” at “The Mezzanine” in Wolver Hampton.


Dec 2001 – Carl plays alongside Fatboy Slim and The Chemical Brothers plus not forgetting Darren Emerson at the Big Beat Boutique in Reading. Mixmag votes “Gifted” as club of the month.

March 2002 – Carl plays at the MTV Dance floor chart party alongside Brandon Block and Alex P. This was broadcast on MTV.

May 2002 – Carl plays “Gifted” 2nd Birthday party alongside Anne Savage & Lisa Lashes at Matrix in Reading.

June 2002 – Carl plays the Alphabet City Records tour alongside Farley “Jack master” Funk.


July 2002 – Carl gets another residency, but this time at Rush based in London.


Sept 2002 – Carl co-promotes the 2nd Tony De Vit Memorial alongside Fevah but this time its held at the world famous Heaven, and a capacity crowd ensues.

Oct 2002 – Carl picks up bookings for Rave monkey at Heaven, Milk, and not forgetting Total Mayhem and The Annual Harderfaster.net party.


Nov 2002 – Carl gets his second major record signing. This time it’s collaboration with the legendary James Lawson called “Times Like These”, the mighty Nukleuz Records take no time at all in putting pen to paper and it’s a done deal. Hard Trance EP Vol 2 is created. Also not forgetting Carl gets his first ever booking from the world famous Sundissential to play at Sundissential North in Leeds.

Dec 2002 – “Times Like These” is given multiple Radio 1 airplays from Dave Pearce & Lisa Lashes and quickly becomes Hard Dance’s first major anthem. Extreme Euphoria 2, Resonate 2, and many more all rush to get rights for their Compilations. Outstanding reviews are in Mixmag, Muzik, and DJ & I-DJ mags. Carl gets bookings for Afterssential, Ground Zero, Dirty DJ’s De-Generation and the Sundissential Tony De Vit Memorial. Also Lisa Lashes charts it in her top 4 tracks of 2002 in The Sun.

Jan 2003 – Carl plays frantic anthems party “Timeless” at Camden Palace, London. 


Feb 2003 – Carl gets bookings from new major organizations Wild child, Smile plus many more due to his new found fame. Also HeatUK play Carl in their Next Generation Music makers Room at their Heat UK CD launch party and Carl gets yet another residency from Phuture at Twist’s home, Fire.

July 2003 – Carl gets yet another residency but this time in San Antonio, Ibiza. Viva La Trance is born. Carl then gets a call from Ibiza veterans “Tonic” and is asked to guest at the jewel of Ibiza, “Eden”. Not forgetting that Antiworld also jump on board for Carl to play the launch of “Electrik Panik” at The Fridge. London.

Sept 2003– Carl gets his 3rd major track release, this time he’s paired up with young gun, Ali Wilson for a techie-trance affair called “Superstitious” and it gets signed within 24 hrs to the phenomenal “Honeypot Records”. UK Hard Trance EP 4 is born. It gets rave reviews in all the major magazines including Mixmag & DJ. Also the new London based popular outfit “Oblivion” book Carl to play at the Basement Jaxx spiritual home, George IV in London.

Nov 2003 – Due to Carl’s now rapid rise in profile “Naughty But Nice” in Hereford book him to play main set.

Jan 2004 – Carl’s fourth major track signing. It’s a collaboration with the Edison Factor’s Matt Williams called” Streamline”, before they even get a chance to send it out on demo to record companies, Elastic man boss Ilogik snaps it up for the release on Elastic man Records in the summer.

March 2004 – Carl’s fifth and sixth major signing. This time around its Carl’s solo projects “Eruption” & “The Music Maker” that get taken by new label Oblivion. Being pushed as a double pack with Nick Rowland & Matt Williams remixes for the flip. 

April 2004 – Carl goes on tour in Eastern Europe completing gigs at Mekka in Warsaw and Boomtown in Olstyn, receiving major press coverage and even making the national newspaper’s front page.

May 2004 – Carl headlines at “Miss Moneypenny’s” in Berkshire alongside longtime resident Jeff Jefferson, the club reaches capacity with 150 people that unfortunately had to be turned away.

September 2004 – Carl goes into the studio with new kid on the block Alf Bamford and pulls out what could be considered as Carl’s best work to date, going under the guise of “Technikal Presents Carl Nicholson” they create “System Shock” which has already had a rapturous response from Lee Haslam and The Tidy Boys and been signed to Tidy Trax

December 2004 – And it all starts to kick off again, Major Australian Players Global Panic sign four Carl’s recent tracks including “AK47”, “Immortal”, “Ur Day is Over” and “Lose Control”, plus book him for an antipodean tour of Australia and NZ.


Interviews
UK’s No 1 Hard Dance website Harderfaster.net: Carl Nicholson HF Interview (Ctrl & Click)

O-Reading Interview: Carl Nicholson O-Reading Interview (Ctrl & Click)

Online Demo: Carl Nicholson – Xcitement Autumn Demo (Ctrl & Click)

Quotes:

“Good DJ, Wicked Producer and thoroughly nice lad!!” – Anne Savage (DJ).

“Superb Producer and seriously down-to-earth guy!!” – Rob Tissera (DJ).

“Probably the hardest working DJ I have ever met, Loads of drive and enthusiasm and one
Hell of a dude to get along with!” - Eamonn Fevah (Promoter and Label Manager).

“Carl Nicholson is the future and my son would have been proud
For him to fly his flag” – Ray De Vit (Tony De Vit’s Dad)

“Next up a DJ who's been around since 1994 and someone whose dedication, enthusiasm and love of the scene is self evident from the moment you meet him to when you see one of his performances in a club. Carl Nicholson always gives it loads behind the decks, plays wicked tunes, mixes like a legend and is one of those characters who can lift a club up by its ears and drag everyone to the front of the dance floor - exactly the kind of person we were looking for in other words. “– Tom Allen (Harderfaster.net Owner)

“Carl Nicholson was and still is the DON!!!!” – Ian Betts (DJ and Resident for HeatUK)

For booking information telephone Paul +447786151515 or email Bookings@xtremeuk.biz