Joining us at the Lee Denim popup studio in the Nexus Lounge Amsterdam, we sat down with Nick Gunn for a conversation about his life, his label, and the music he makes.
Known for his catchy tunes, meaningful melodies, and memorable lyrics, Nick Gunn is a British songwriter who’s brought all his skill and talent to bear across many roles in the music industry. With millions of listeners and a willingness to experiment across genres, Gunn is at the cutting edge of the modern electronic movement, gaining particular acclaim for his deeply danceable trance beats.
And it’s not just about his own music either. Heading up his own record label – Blue Dot Studios – Gunn works hard to promote the voices of some incredible talents, including Ciaran McAuley and Jarod Glawe.
“I’m carrying a lot of responsibility,” says Gunn in reference to his label. “You know, as an artist I’ve been releasing music for decades - it’s habitual, it’s programmed, I do it. But this year, my label is representing four artists that we also manage. That I manage.”
That’s not to say he’s letting even a moment’s slack creep into the music. Quite the opposite, in fact, as he now releases new music every five weeks under his main brand (Nicholas Gunn). It’s an incredible output and one that involves a fair amount of collaboration with the other artists sharing his label.
Then again, that’s hardly a surprise coming from someone like Gunn. In recent years he’s been involved in a fair few collaborations, most notably with the likes of Armin van Buuren, Sam Martin, Guiseppe Ottaviani, and AVIRA, just to name a few.
With all that work, you might wonder how Gunn ever finds the time to take a breath but, talking to him, it’s clear that, above all else, he’s a parent.
“I have a two year old and a five year old, and my actions and thoughts are towards my children at every turn. I look at my colleagues, my friends, adults, and I often say to myself, ‘Do we really think about our children?’ ”
Looking to the future, Gunn talked about his worries about the climate, and the world his children might live in, expressing a potential desire to get involved in some conservation.
For now though, it’s clear that his music is still taking centre stage. So far in 2023, he’s released seven new tracks, including “In The End”, “Heart of Gold”, and “My Life” and, by the sound of things, he’s got plenty more to come.
If you’d like to learn more about Nicholas Gunn, his journey as an artist, his most embarrassing musical moment, and the strangest meal he’s ever eaten, then be sure to check out the full, exclusive Nexus Radio interview.
