Those working in the entertainment industry have had a particularly stormy time during the pandemic, with no hint of sunshine on the horizon.
But DJ Nick Dhillon has found some success despite the obstacles in his way.
Nick’s love for music began when he was just a child. “My dad was a sound technician – he would handle the setup of speakers, decks, or any sound equipment at events.
“I would follow him around while he worked. All the buttons and switches were so fascinating to me – I wanted to find out what they did,” Nick tells FMT.
Rather than go down the technical route of supplying music, Nick was preoccupied with creating music.
He started teaching himself how to operate the sound systems at 10 years old thanks to the trusty internet; watching and reading tutorials online.
A fast learner, he secured his first gig at the age of 13, remixing songs at a wedding that his dad was setting up the sound system for.
“I did a set for around an hour,” he said nostalgically. “It went well, I think!”
Following that, he progressed into creating his own music by experimenting with different software programmes and doing independent research while furthering his studies.
After graduating with a degree in multimedia communications, he pursued music as a career, deejaying in clubs and bars across Kuala Lumpur before narrowing his focus on Bollywood and Punjabi bhangra music over the past few years.
His career was on the up and up: in 2019, he performed at the Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak for thousands as well as released a song under Indian record label ‘White Hill Studios’.
Until, of course, the outbreak of the pandemic brought it all crashing down.
“I had events lined up all throughout 2020, but they fell through after the MCO was introduced. I went from having multiple gigs a week to none at all.”
But that hasn’t dissuaded the DJ from his chosen career path.
“I started doing some graphic design on the side to help me survive, as well as offering mixing and mastering services. I’m also selling my own beats online.”
On top of this, he dedicates a big chunk of his day to creating new music, consistently releasing new content as often as he can.
In November 2020, he released a remix of a famous Punjabi song titled ‘Brown Munde’, which surpassed two million hits on YouTube.
“I really wanted to put my own spin on the song – it’s such a classic,” he explained.
“And the feedback I got was amazing. People all around the world were commenting how much they loved it, and some artists even messaged me about potential collaborations.”
That’s not all that Nick has achieved over the course of the pandemic.
He shares that he was also voted the #2 DJ in Malaysia last year, an award bestowed upon him by EDMdroid Asia.
“I’m so grateful for all the people who voted for me,” he adds. “This has been such a tough year for us in the entertainment industry. It’s things like this that are keeping me going.”
When asked about his hopes for the future, Nick said that he wants the government to recognise the struggle entertainers and musicians like himself are facing.
“We are literally earning nothing. I really hope that more emphasis can be placed on our industry because we matter too.”
A true musician despite the lack of an audience, his goal is to keep putting out music, no matter how difficult it may be to reach an audience at this time.
“I can’t even begin to imagine myself not doing music,” he declared. “It’s such an integral part of who I am.”
Nick’s fusion of Bollywood and Punjabi classics with modern-day hits have built him a loyal fan base, both locally and internationally, and his ability to succeed in such unprecedented times is an inspiration to all aspiring musicians out there.
Check out Nick’s music on YouTube and find his social media links here.