Ben Nicky is currently one of the biggest up and coming names in the trance scene along with being co-owner of Abstract Recordings, the UK's most inspiring and successful tech-trance record label for the past year. His first ever release Dirty Dancefloor headed straight to number 3 in 2007 in the worldwide dance charts at the young age of 21. Since then Ben Nicky has managed a number 1 release in the international download charts and has also had support on BBC Radio 1 from Eddie Halliwell and Judge Jules! Ben's latest remix has just been supported by Armin Van Buuren and things for Abstract Recordings are getting better and better with each release gaining great support and ranking highly in the charts.

As well as being a producer, Ben Nicky is also known for his fresh DJ abilities and has been known regularly to get crowds going wild. Genres of trance ranging from uplifting and emotional trance all the way up to the harder techier side sees Ben Nicky winning several DJ competitions nationwide due to his unique style of mixing and chopping. It is duly noted that he certainly knows how to create a energetic feel in any club.
Having played alongside names such as Paul Van Dyk, Richard Durand, Lisa Lashes, Marco V, Pete Tong, Dave Pearce, BK, Paul Oakenfold, John O Callaghan, John Askew, Organ Donors, Judge Jules, Lee Haslam, Activa, Cally & Juice, etc. and fulfilled his lifetime ambition by playing @ Judgement Sundays @ Eden In Ibiza this summer, Ben Nicky's career is moving along at an incredibly fast pace and gaining momentum as he has been recently signed to a big compilation CD in Australia called Central Energy 22 which involves other names such as Sean Tyas, Simon Patterson and Cosmic Gate.

As his lists of achievements grow we see Ben Nicky make his first appearance at iLLuMIDanCe, and also Portsmouth, as this fresh young talent makes waves in the scene!

Hi Ben! Thank you for taking the time letting us at iLLuMIDanCe interview you before your first visit to Portsmouth this coming Saturday.

So it is Sunday afternoon, what would you normally be doing at this point of the weekend if not being interviewed?

For the last few months I've been DJing pretty much every weekend so I would normally be allowing my ears to recover!! As much as I always force myself to wear ear plugs, I still manage to somehow become deaf on the next day! As well as that I would normally be watching a film, generally chilling out and staying away from music until my head can take it again!

This has been an extremely busy year for you both as a DJ, a producer and managing Abstract Recordings. How would you describe this year in your own words and what have been the highlights?

This year has been so important for me and I still can't believe the events that have happened!! The highlights for me would be .. DJing before my idol Eddie Halliwell @ Fire it Up, playing for Judgement Sundays in Ibiza, being Nominated for Best New Face @ Trance Awards, having a number 1 track in the TrackItDown charts with Jordan Suckley and so much more... As you can probably tell I don't have much spare time and I can honestly say I haven't stopped working all year!

Abstract Recordings has been highly successful pushing the tech-trance this year in the UK, how did it all begin?

I originally created a track with Lee Crago called "Dirty Dancefloor" and after sending out to various labels we decided to start our own. The crazy thing about this was that we had no clue how to run a label but yet the track still ended up at number 3 on TrackItDown and Audiojelly for 3 weeks!

And what plans do you all have at Abstract Recordings for 2009?

I'm so excited about 2009 and unfortunately I can't go into real detail but all I can say is that I'm working with one of the biggest names in the UK on several tracks and I really do expect them to do well. I also have some serious new talent coming through the ranks and expect some very big releases from Jordan Suckley, Nathan D, Liquid Vision and others! There is a chance that I may well be doing a Abstract Album towards the end of the year but that is still in progress at the moment.

Certainly sounds like a promising year ahead!
What future releases can you tell us about then without giving away any secrets?

The next release on the label is in January and it is "Liquid Vision Vs Ben Nicky - Peanut Butter" ... Don't ask where the name came from, I believe I was eating breakfast when I named it!

Would we be seeing the label cover other genres in future or are you staying very much focused at the tech-trance sound that it has been releasing so far?

Next year is truly about uplifting trance and I always had the plans to eventually get a lot more of this material on board. Abstract is not just about tech trance and I happily listen to tracks sent to me whether its Electro, Techno or Trance. I've always loved the techy side but my true passion always has been uplifting but as most producers know it is one of the hardest genres to make as it involves a lot of good synth work and some really creative patterns!

Now talking about DJing, how long have you been mixing and what/who inspired you to start learning?

I have been DJing 2 and a half years (Surprises some people!) and my main influence was really watching Eddie Halliwell when he used to play bosh, also as mad as it sounds another key factor was Kevin and Perry Go Large! I think I watched that when i was around 14 and ever since I always wanted to become a DJ.

For anyone unfamiliar with you as a DJ, how would you describe your sets?

Well when I'm allowed to play my own style then I really do like to create a fully energized atmosphere. I mix between chunky tech trance and euphoric trance to make a flowing set that people will not forget. I also love to involve scratch loops, 3 deck mixing etc. but only at the right time and place! DJing really is something that I feel confident about and I love the adrenalin you get before you walk out in front of a big crowd!

What was the first track you bought?

Signum - Coming On Strong & Oceanlab - Satellite (on vinyl)

Which DJs do you recommend keeping an eye on now with so much new talent such as yourself breaking the scene?

Well my main influence was always one of my good mates Jordan Suckley who has recently signed to PFA (Eddie Halliwell's Agency), but as for newer names coming through I would have to say HiFreak1c, Liquid Vision, Kelly Jay, Joe- E, Rui- J, Simon Heslin & Andi Woods, Dan Close and Davey Asprey!!
Big list there but I feel all these guys have huge potential for next year and people such as Joe-E already have had huge success production wise so it's only a matter of time! I also have huge respect for a lot of the talented local DJs I play alongside such as Joel D, Julian Williams, Steve Hampton & Mark Collard etc. I hope to see these guys releasing tunes in the future as they all have great local profiles within South Wales and the South West.

And what future DJ dates can we catch yourself Ben Nicky at?

12th December - AudioLiquid, Worcester
13th December - iLLuMIDanCe, Portsmouth
20th December- Slinky Xmas Ball with Tidy Boys, Syndicate, Bristol (Early Set)
20th December- Afterdark, Plymouth (Late Set)
31st December- Gatecrasher Classics with Scott Bond, John 00 Flemming, Paul Webster etc @ Syndicate, Bristol
31st January- Wired, Stoke On Trent
13th February- Digital Society, Manchester

Thank you once again Ben and we'll look forward to seeing you on Saturday!

All readers... You can catch Ben Nicky's set at 11:30pm for an hour and a half of super duper trance with a good slice of Abstract Recordings thrown into the mix with previews of future releases!

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