
Originating in the West Country, but living in London for nearly 30 years, DJ, producer, and label head Big Nick D has been making waves in the UK scene since the launch of his Bank of Switches brand in 2014. With unbridled enthusiasm for all things minimal, micro and deep tech orientated, the artist-come-promoter grew the event series into a record label in 2023. Despite the label’s relatively short existence, the London based imprint’s back-catalogue is developing at an impressive rate counting Dan Formless, Jake Beautyman, Steve O’Sullivan, Ollie Drummond, Alex Arnout and Terry Francis as previous contributors. Whilst the label’s Bank of Switches mix series has just reached episode 038 in which yours truly, YAMA Music was asked to curate. Regular listeners to the YAMA Music ‘Futures Radio Show’ on London’s Bloop would be familiar with mine and Big Nick D’s association – as he has followed my show on the third Wednesday of each month for the last 3 years.
Q1) Big Nick D, greetings. We hope you’re well? As we approach the first SNUG event of 2025, could you tell us what we are likely to expect from your set at The Blue Posts, Soho on 1st Feb.
Hello there YAMA Music! Thanks so much for asking me to chat.
First off, I’m chuffed you wanted me involved with SNUG. It’s an honour to have been asked as I’m aware of the high level of quality associated with all things YAMA. I’ve been a long-time admirer of your label and love the vibe of your radio show.
Generally, I’m not the biggest prepper when it comes to playing out. I believe if you only buy good tunes, you can only play good tunes! I find playing tracks regularly at home and on the radio keeps me in touch with what’s in my record bag. Having said that, I’m on first with three hours to warm the place up for Terry Francis. So, this time, I have prepared a varied selection; from chuggy disco and driving minimal to spacey deep tech. I see my role at this party a bit like a starter at a restaurant. I’ve got to keep everyone interested without filling them up before the main course is served – set the vibe for the evening and have fun. I have some lovely new bits to play plus one or two potentially surprising classics to drop. I’m excited, it’s going to be a blast!
Q2) Before you made London your permanent home, you were a regular face on Somerset’s free party scene in which you fondly recall tales of “purple ohms” and “ten-foot speakers in muddy fields.” How did those years spent in the South West of England help shape you to become the man we know as Big Nick D?
I would usually rock up with a bunch of friends, a bum bag of goodies and have a brilliant time. The late 90s were pretty special for that sort of thing as it was still relatively new. I know events like these had been happening for years but, in terms of the music and the technology, it was pretty unique and new ground was being broken. As a teenager you’re very impressionable and the sense of release I found at these parties, the dancefloor epiphanies and general otherworldliness I encountered showed me that life is actually okay. I guess my brain was rewired and I became a dance music lifer! I still love being in clubs all these years later. After all, everyone involved in this scene came from the dance floor.
Q3) You successfully expanded Bank of Switches from a London-centric party series into a vinyl only record label. What was the thought process behind this expansion?
It was a combination of factors. Finding small to medium sized venues that genuinely supported what Bank of Switches were trying to achieve was getting harder & harder. Venue owners expected immediate returns, so one duff night and we were out. And, we had a few of those! Unfortunately it became a bit of a chore after doing it for a decade so I wanted to create something that would help push the parties.
Many years ago, I had worked for a record label so I knew how label management worked. I also knew lots of great producers and DJs. At first, I didn’t expect too much, but when Yoyaku distribution picked up the first Bank of Switches release, I was blown away. A dream scenario and they’ve been awesome from the start. So, it’s been full steam ahead with the BoS ever since. I’ve been very lucky to have had the support of some brilliant DJs plus support from record shops like Phonica & Palace Vinyl. However, it’s really down to the producers making the tracks. Solid tunes speak for themselves.
Q4) Would you mind telling us a little more about what we can expect from Bank of Switches – both as a label and event – in the not-so-distant future? Will you remain committed to your policy of vinyl only or are there plans to digitalise?
I always like to plan ahead. So, when BoS has something in the pipeline, I like to know the next release is already in production. For example, the next record should arrive at the end of Feb (2025). It’s a track by myself; engineered and mixed by former Space Ibiza resident Jem Haynes that features a fantastic remix by Terry Francis on the flip. There’s also a wonderfully deep, techy pumper by the one and only Alex Arnout on the horizon.
Right now, I’m sticking with vinyl only. So, no digital plans. I just love records. I love the process of putting all the parts together and ending up with what’s essentially a limited-edition artifact. I mentioned I worked for a label before, I found that when it switched to digital something went missing. It became all about Beatport front pages and not racks in record shops. Something was lost.
Since the label started gathering momentum, the events have taken a back seat. Like I said, it became a bit of a chore and as much as I love being in clubs, I found club promotion to be hard. Especially when doing it regularly. Shout out to all promoters though, it’s a mad business! Our parties will be back though, just not monthly. Watch this space.
Q5) As we kick off the New Year, would you mind sharing any upcoming plans you may have.
I have a few bookings coming. After SNUG, the next is Deep Inside You (DIY*) at Two More Years in Hackney on 14th of March. Other than that, I’m going to keep vibing. Doing lots of digging, lots of hanging out and lots of just being in the moment with my records. I’m also focused on making sure my Bloop radio show is as good as it can be. And making sure I am the best DJ I can be.