Returning to the music industry after a long hiatus
In a recent interview on The DJ Sessions, Nikki Roland shared his captivating narrative of returning to the music industry after a long hiatus and how he balances his careers as a musician and tech entrepreneur.
About the DJ Sessions
Hosted and produced by Darran Bruce, The DJ Sessions is a Twitch/Mixcloud “Featured Partner” live streaming/podcast series showcasing electronic music DJs, producers, and industry professionals. With over 2,600 episodes produced in the past 16 years, TDJS consistently ranks in the Top 10 on Twitch Music and Top 5 in categories like Electronic Music, DJ, and Dance Music. With content and interviews from top artists and music talent in the industry the series reaches more than 125,000 viewers weekly across multiple platforms, has been recognized by Apple as a “New and Noteworthy” podcast, and has featured some of the biggest names in the industry including BT, Lindsey Stirling, Benny Benassi, Paul Oakenfold, and Steve Aoki. TDJS highlights international and local acts, as well as industry experts making it a vital hub for global and regional electronic music culture.
About Nikki Roland: Beginnings in the Industry
Nikki Roland began his musical journey in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Reflecting on the early days, he mentioned his experience with “getting managed by snob, the president of the London Chapter of the Hell’s Angels for a while. Interesting story.” However, a significant project around a Christmas track fell through, compelling him to temporarily leave music production. He remarked on the experience, describing the competitive nature of the UK music scene: “The Christmas number one is absolutely huge… one of the biggest events on the musical calendar.”
Building a Name in the Underground Scene
Not one to be deterred, Roland found a place in the underground music scene through Coalesce Sound and Vision, creating “a really big kind of, you know, underground party scene… it was all on a, you know, need to know basis.” These exclusive events played a critical role in reshaping his career, being described by DJ Mag as “undisputed Kings of the underground.”
A Dual Life: Tech Entrepreneur and Musician
Adopting the stage name Nikki Rowland, he merged his expertise in technology with his passion for music. He shared, “the day job is working in tech, building products, building apps and stuff like that.” His diverse skills have been instrumental in promoting his music and creating an efficient workflow.
Establishing Ananke and Chronos Record Label
Driven by his desire to push musical boundaries, Roland founded Ananke & Kronos to house his myriad projects. The label is split into two entities: Ananke and Chronos Gold and Ananke and Chronos Record Label Black, each targeting a different genre of house music. He noted, “splitting off the label for Ananke and Kronos into Ananke and Chronos Record Label the original gold label… and Ananke and Kronos Black is kind of that harder edge kind of house.”
Innovative Tools to Aid Artists
Nikki Roland’s vision extends beyond music production into supporting independent artists. With ANC Promo, he is pioneering an automated promotional platform. He explained, “the goal is to create… a platform where I can automate as much of the marketing funnel as possible.”
Throughout the interview, Roland emphasized the essence of control and creativity in the industry. He has learned firsthand that the journey requires resilience and adaptability. As he said, “you have to put something in to get something out.”
Closing Thoughts
Nikki Roland’s story is one of persistence and innovation, offering inspiration to aspiring artists around the globe. Through Ananke & Kronos and ANC Promo, Roland is forging a path for musicians to achieve success in an ever-evolving landscape. Stay updated by following him on Instagram at Nikki Roland Music or exploring Ananke & Kronos for the latest releases.