Carl Nicholson Posted by Carl Nicholson on Jun 26, 2004 - 9:00:00 AM

Biography: Carl Nicholson has been on the forefront of the UK Underground Dance Scene since 1994. Working his way up through the ranks alongside rising stars like John ‘00’ Fleming (MostWanted), Dex N’ Jonesey (Red Parrot), Luke Branccacio (Bedrock) & DJ Roosta (Honeypot Records), Carl has rocked and conquered every major venue in the Capital & the South West.

Since 1999, Carl has achieved acclaim that many could not wish for in their wildest dreams.  Not only is he the only HardDance D.J to have rocked the world renowned ‘Fabric’ night-club in London on a regular basis, he has also graced the floors of Glastonbury Festival 2000, Brixton Academy, Heaven & Ministry of Sound to name only a handful.

Carl has held many residences in the past two years but the ones he is most proud of are DTPM, Gifted & The Annual Tony de Vit Memorial of which he is also co-promoter.  Tony de Vit has played a major part in Carl’s career as being his role model, in the past Carl has seen the rise and fall of many a “one year wonder D.J”.   But he has always stood to the values and advice of this great man, which was to “Always play from the heart and smile and the crowd will love you for it”

This is why Carl teamed up with Ray (Tony’s Dad), Jayne (Tony’s Sister) & the mighty Fevah Production’s to hold an annual memorial to commemorate a man who will never & can never be replaced.  Last year’s event attracted over 3500 clubbers from all around the UK, and was a night that was truly unforgettable but this year promises to be even better whilst generating revenue for good causes.

From:                             Carl Nicholson
Date of birth:                    23/02/75
Management Agency:                CTW
Residency :                       TDV
Bookings Contact:                 Sarah PVC or (07909)621033
No. of records:                   7500
Started playing:                  1993
All time top 3 tunes:             TDV – The Dawn, Warriors of Love – Somebody Scream, Area – Definition of Tekto 
Worst DJing moment:               Taking wrong needle off record @ Sanctuary.
Would most like to play:          Dance Valley NL
Most enjoyable set you've played: TDV Memorial 2001 @ Brixton Academy.
When you're not DJing you're:     Production in Studio, Socialising.
Favourite DJ:                     Tony de Vit
Favourite Venue:                  Turnmills
Favourite Promotion:              TDV Memorials
Favourite Producer:               James Lawson
Favourite Label:                  Nukleuz/Tidy
Biggest Influence:                Tony de Vit
Drink:                            Red Stripe
Non-music pastime:                Breakdancing @ John Nike Sports Centre, Tuesdays @ 6pm.

Words of wisdom:
Anyone can beatmix with a bit of practice, it’s reading a crowd that’s the clever part!

If you could change the colour of the sky what colour would it be?: 
Jade Blue with a pink glow!

Did you ever fancy your dinner lady at school?:
Never ever, they we’re all over 65.

Played alongside 2002/2003: A.J Gibson, Alan Thompson, Alex P, Alister Whitehead, Andy Farley, Anne Savage, Ariel, Billy ‘Daniel’ Bunter, B.K, Brandon Block, C J Mackintosh, Dan Madams, Darren Emerson, Darren Pearce, Dave Pearce,  Ed Real, Farley ‘Jackmaster’ Funk, Fergie, Graham Gold, Guru Josh, Ian M, James Lawson,  Jeremy Healy, JFK, John Kelly, John ‘00’ Fleming, Judge Jules, Justin Bourne, Knuckleheadz, K90, LAB4,  Lisa German, Lisa Lashes, Lisa Pin-Up, Luke Branccacio, Matt Cassar, Nick Sentience, 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, Superfast Oz, The Sharp Boys, The Tidy Boys, Tony Price, Yomanda & a Partridge in a pear tree.

Events & Tours 2002/2003:  Sundissential North, Fevah(Heaven, London), Frantic(Camden Palace, London), Fahrenhite(Soundshaft, London), Gifted(Matrix, Reading), Syn:ergy(Phoenix, Manchester), Insomniacz (Code, Birmingham), There (Heaven, London), Match Made In Heaven (Heaven, London), Mind Over Matter (Camden Palace, London),  Sunny Side Up (Ministry of Sound, London), Glastonbury Festival 2000 (Smirnoff Tent), Tidy Trax Tour, Nukleuz Tour, Miss Moneypennys Tour, Frantic & Fevah Destination Ibiza 2001 Tour, MTV Dancefloor Chart Tour, Ministry of Sound Radio (DAB) & resident for The Tony De Vit Trust which holds annual tributes in London, Midlands, Manchester & Eire.

24th May - Rush @ Mass, Brixton
24th May - Gifted @ Matrix, Reading.
31st May - The Harderfaster Annual Party @ The Aquarium, London.
7th June - Gifted @ Matrix, Reading.
29th June - Shaft, Birmingham.
5th July - Gifted @ Matrix, Reading.
6th July - Afterssential, Birmingham.
2nd August - Gifted @ Matrix, Reading.
4th Sept - Tonic/CTW @ Eden, Ibiza
6th Sept - Gifted @ Matrix, Reading
3rd Oct - Sinergy TDV Manchester Tribute @ The North, Manchester.
4th Oct - Gifted @ Matrix, Reading.

Discography: 

Carl Nicholson – Ricochet (Fevah House 6) – July 2001
Carl Nicholson – Rapture (Higher Times) – Aug 2001
Carl Nicholson – Control Freek (White) – Sept 2001
Carl Nicholson & James Lawson – Times Like These (Nukleuz)   
(Radio 1 Airplay by Dave Pearce/Ministry Tune of Month Dec 02)

Also this year, Carl has had his recent collaboration with James Lawson “Times Like These” signed to the worlds number one dance label Nukleuz Records.  This track has been causing tremendous waves in Clubland, it’s had airplay on Radio 1 from Dave Pearce (Dance Anthems) & Lisa Lashes (One live from Nottingham).  It’s reached number 14 in the UK Dance Chart & number 19 in the UK Indie Chart, plus it’s also been signed to Lisa Lashes forthcoming compilation Extreme Euphoria 2.
 Also not forgetting that its also getting a battering from the likes of Anne Savage, BK, Paul Van Dyke, Nick Sentience and to many other names to mention.

But, all other things aside.  The real proof is when you hear Carl play.  True to the ideals that made de Vit the legend that he became, Carl is no pigeonhole DJ.   Breaking down boundaries between all types of dance music, fusing and mutating like some kind of powercrazed scientist.  Taunting them & taking them one level further until they are literally begging & screaming for more, and then just when they thought storm had turned, in streams the crescendo and suddenly it all makes sense, this guy behind the decks isn’t playing the “Let’s see who’s the fastest DJ” scenario. He’s playing tough, he’s telling a story, and he’s playing straight from the heart.

And now as I draw to a close, I shall leave you with one more thought.  He’s the proud keeper of the Coveted Tony de Vit Trade Bag, he’s played alongside pioneers of our scene like Guru Josh, Fatboy Slim & Chemical Brothers as well as the star’s of today including Fergie, Anne Savage, Darren Emerson & Dave Pearce.  He’s had to work his way up the ladder from scratch with no help from anyone, no favours from promoters who happen to be friends, no “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours” scenarios either. 

He’s got to where he is out of pure merit and hard graft