Interview: @Slick

Our next artist goes is a Naarm local going by the name of Slick! Slick is a rapid rising star in our music scene at the moment around Melbourne, a lover for hard hitting basslines & kicks with a drum like grooves and percussion, Slick is expected to release his first EP this year, with a few tracks already under his belt that have been played by artists all over Slick is definitely one to look out for over this current year!

Slick has built quite a resume over the year of 2022, having played at places such as Xe54, Inertia @ Color Club, & now to supporting the likes of Laura King and Mark Blair at Shelter's latest event in Melbourne, Nick definitely knows how to get a crowd moving with his tune selection during his sets.

We now will be taking a closer look at Slick, & his current career as an Artist/DJ over the past year we conducted an interview with the legend so he could tell us all about his life as an artist so far & what has been challenging or easy during this pathway!

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Q & A:

Question 1: When did the drive to start mixing/producing & being involved in Dance music be a big thing for you in your life?

A: About mid-2020 back when I was living and studying in Sydney, I got my hands on my mate’s brother’s decks during lockdown and straight away decided on buying my own. After moving past the tech house phase and moving to Melbourne at the start of last year I learned how to produce. My first ever uploaded track that I made in my college room, a bootleg of a Headie One track, started doing big numbers on SoundCloud and I guess that’s when I started taking it more seriously.

Question 2: What is your favourite thing about being a producer/DJ?

A: Seeing or hearing my own track get played out at a random venue or houseparty either locally or overseas is really sick. Mates from back in Sydney will send me videos of the Only You Freestyle Edit getting played out by strangers at the gym or in pubs and nightclubs which is pretty surreal, and some of my new shit being played out in guest mixes is nice too. Apart from that I just love getting a reaction out of people with my tracks.

Question 3: Who has given you the drive to get where you are today?

A: Probably the boys who I ran into at my first Melborune gig for Inertia in Carlton. Jerb plus Alex and Brodie from 6Sense. Gave me a lot of sound advice at a time when they were still breaking into the scene as well, and seeing how far they’ve come in such a short amount of time gives me a lot of drive. Also shoutout Ben and Henry from Sydney who almost had to force me to take this professional.

Question 4: What is the main focus right now in your music career?

A: I’d say my main focus is still figuring out my sound in both production and mixing. I’ve always enjoyed Melbourne hardgroove since it exploded on the scene last year but right now I have an unhealthy obsession with psytrance and electro. Trying to weave this into my current production style is the main challenge, because I don’t want to freak out any of my SoundCloud followers who are expecting the drill techno shit that I put out over a year ago.

Question 5: Any upcoming releases we should know about?

A: Got 4 tracks in the bank right now which I’m still tweaking with, one of them being a remix from the groove expert Chris Flanigan over in Dublin (go and check out his tunes!). I’ll drop one of them in the next few weeks and release the rest as a debut EP later that month. Also got a cheeky single releasing through Rummiklub in the next few weeks, keep your eyes peeled x

Question 6: If there was one person you would like to talk to for advice on producing/Djing who would it be & why?

A: Probably anyone from the Mutual Rytm label like Stef Mendesidis or SHDW and Obscure Shape for production tips. Anyone can learn how to figure out cool sound design and music theory but these guys make songs with like 5 elements and very little progression sound really mad, which I think is more of a challenge in production.

Question 7: What is one piece of advice you can give to someone just starting in the industry?

A: Mix every day, even if it’s just for ten minutes. You’ll fuck up a lot but you’ll also start to understand what songs you’re most comfortable with in your library. When you eventually get your first set, get a friend to record tons of videos for you as that’s what future promoters want to see before booking you.

Question 8: What has your favourite event been this year or one you are looking forward too?

A: Pretty hard to beat Pitch, especially the Resident Advisor stage. Heard a lot of sounds there that you don’t usually hear in the Aussie scene. Shoutout anyone who stayed for all of Dax J. I’m most looking forward to the Shelter event on May 12 where I’ll be going b2b with a friend and trusted advisor Manoah Kenna in support of Mark Blair, who has already given me a lot of guidance after shooting me a message on the Only You Freestyle Edit.

Question 9: Do you think the Naarm community is growing towards the dance music scene?

A: Hundred percent, I think that if you don’t listen to EDM of any kind while you’re living in this city you’re missing out. There’s something on everywhere you look and with new Naarm-based labels and collectives being created every week (like SAMPLER and Stop Fifteen) it’s pretty hard to miss.

Slick is definitely on the rise for a successful 2023, with a lot on the table to offer he is one you do not want to miss! Below you can find Slick via all his social media platforms.

SOCIALS:

Instagram: nick.wenzel

Soundcloud: @Slick

Spotify: @Slick - On Sight