Nicolaas Black, bio
While his European background includes being exposed to opera and classical music at a very young age, it was the industrial explosion in the 90s that led Nicolaas Black to electronic music. Enamored with the creative palette of such groups as Front 242, NIN, 808 State and Ministry, he learned to mix vinyl records and, though not yet a DJ, the progression to a dancefloor aesthetic seemed inevitable.
As he gradually discovered older sounds, a deep love for soul, jazz, disco, reggae and dub emerged. The injection of which resulted in an obsession with house music. This instinct led him to a 6 year sojourn of developing his musical sensibility in Chicago. He discovered Trax Studio, bought a Mac, sharpened his production chops and was fortunate to observe some of the seminal pioneers of house music working in the studio. He assisted on sessions at Slang Music Group with Ron Carroll, Paul Johnson, Frankie Knuckles, Joe Smooth, Craig Loftus, and Vince Lawrence among others. Later he worked as an office manager/assistant for Mark Picchiotti at his label Blueplate Records.
After the heavy winters in Chicago, a move to the west-coast was in order, where he began freelancing as an engineer, audio editor, composer and mixer. Countless parties, raves, festivals, dj gigs & sessions later, he’s still based in LA and remains committed to impromptu surf sessions and long analog nights in the studio. Currently producing/performing as Nicolaas Black and Closer Orbit, his music spans the breadth of the dance music spectrum, from Chicago to Detroit to Berlin to LA, from classic techno to jazz infused house, acid to industrial and much more in between. Not limiting himself to the dancefloor, he prides himself in always growing as an artist, and creates many other genres- hip hop, dub, ambient, indie, downtempo, and songwriting are also in his wheelhouse.
Nicolaas brings the same passion to writing. Having freelanced previously for Space Cadet, Electronic Groove, XLR8R, and The Glass Eye, he brings his childlike excitement for music and techno to Dirty Epic in 2021, promising to ALWAYS champion talent. He brings the energy of not only an experienced professional – but also of a rabid fan.
Selected Reviews:
Kyle Geiger – “Bellhouse”,
Theo NASA – “Mad Hectic”,
Vil & Cravo – “Klockworks 32”,
Ecilo – “Saturn Landscapes”,
Raven – “Mania”
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