UK Blogger, Traveller, Liquid Drum & Bass Producer

Updates on Upcoming Releases, Platform Project, Bluffer’s Guide and more!

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My friends, it’s been a bit of a quiet spell on the Drum & Bass front over here at Havey HQ. It’s not what I want and I’m sure it’s not what you want either so after coming back from a holiday on the beach and making a few changes, it’s time to get back to all things music – producing, listening, DJing and hopefully inspiring you as well! In this blog, I’ll give you a quick update on what is coming up and a little sneak behind the scenes. Let’s begin!

Upcoming Releases

Stargazing EP – July 21st 2018

The last official release I had was back in September 2017 but I’ll be ending that baron run courtesy of the Stargazing EP, where I’m collaborating with a talented electronic producer called DaveyHub. He asked if I wanted to remix his chilled hip-hop track and after hearing the beautiful guitar melody with a slight trance feel thrown in, I said yes! So be prepared for a Liquid Drum & Bass remix from me and keep an eye out on those teasers 😉

Juxta John – Wake Up (Nicky Havey remix)

I’ve started to get involved with a new platform called Atom Collector Records (see more below) and it’s been great to meet a large group of like minded musicians. The creator of Atom Collector Records, Juxta John, is a rocker and singer and kindly gave away the stems for his song “Wake Up” to be remixed. So I decided to go for it and I’m looking forward to bringing you a preview of the Rock vs Liquid DnB on my upcoming show on the Platform Project on 21st July – 9PM GMT! Speaking of which…

Platform Project

For those who don’t know, the Platform Project is a 1 hour live celebration on BassportFM where either myself or DJ Pi showcase up and coming Drum & Bass tracks to help give underground producers a bit more exposure. We’re really going from strength to strength with more listeners each month and reaching more people in the community which is really exciting and I look forward to bringing you the next show on 21st July (2018)! Catch up to the latest episode by tapping the icon below.

Pi has certainly pushed the boundaries with live video streaming and his RED4GREG campaign where he is running every day in 2018 to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy, you can read the full story here. I’m also pushing boundaries in another way as I start to understand a bit more about this whole cryptocurrency phenomenon and sharing what I learn with you in…

The Bluffer’s Guide to Cryptocurrency

You may have heard about Bitcoin in the news or across various social media platforms and it certainly divides opinion but I believe that division is more down to not understanding what it is or how it works. This is understandable as there’s a lot of technical terms and no-one that I’ve come across as been able to explain to me like I’m 5 years old. So I thought I’d do it myself via a blog series (and eventually an e-book) called the “Bluffer’s Guide to Cryptocurrency”, which aims to introduce complete beginners to it all so you have a bit more of a grounding in what it’s all about. Click the image below to start your journey 🙂

Speaking of cryptocurrency, a number of websites have sprung up for musicians, which I actively encourage both producers and fans to register on as this could be the formation of “the new music industry”. What sites though? Well, I’ll mention one that I’m very keen on and will be a great starting point for listeners and producers alike.

Atom Collector Records (ACR)

I’ve been on ACR since the beginning of 2018 and have found it to be a great way of meeting new producers and fans due to it’s strong community spirit. For producers, the premise is that you listen to a track already on the platform for a certain length of time to earn yourself a credit. Then, if you want one of your tracks to appear on the platform, you simply allocate that credit to your track – all you need is the link from Soundcloud, Spotify (wherever) and save it to your profile.

For listeners, not only do you have a great variety of music to choose from but you can also earn tokens called $INDIE simply by listening and getting involved in the community. You can either accumulate these until merchandise from your favourite producers is available on the site, or exchange it (more information is on the website).

It’s also free to register, which you can do so by clicking/tapping the icon below so what are you waiting for?

Well, that should keep you going but stay tuned for those releases and looking forward to bringing you some more Drum & Bass!

Take Care

Nicky

De-stress with 1 Hour of Liquid Drum & Bass

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I know it’s been far too long since I’ve written a blog, produced a track or been involved with anything to do with music. The truth is, life outside of music has taken over and I really had to prioritise a few things before getting back on the music wagon (more on that to follow in subsequent blogs).

 

However, I have to say that doing last night’s show on the Platform Project on Bassport FM was exactly what the doctor ordered (and needed).

 

Being a part of a growing community of like minded people who love their Drum & Bass and just hang out (albeit digitally) makes you feel like you have a sense of belonging. You know they have your back and that’s what the Platform Project is all about, as well as giving lesser known artists a chance to get their music heard.

 

So last night’s show for me is more than “just another 1 hour DJ set”. It’s an escape, a chance to de-stress from the realities of ‘real life’ by playing liquid Drum & Bass tracks that have helped me through many a tough time and give back to the community. Whilst trying to keep it as entertaining and interactive as possible with those who are able to listen in live.

 

In the show, I mix together 16 liquid tracks ranging from the heavyweights in Hospital Records to those who you may not have even heard of before.

 

But before I let you click play (although you can click play whenever you want 😛 ), I want to give a big thanks to DJ Pi who covered my show last month at short notice and put together an amazing guest mix and interview with Scott Allen, the owner of Soul Deep Recordings and to Noah Menard of Drumbase who’s generosity and kindness for letting us use his chat room was very much appreciated.

 

So without any further delay, here’s that link I’ll allow you to click play on now 😉

 

What was your favourite track of the mix? Let me know in the comments below!

 

Are you an artist who wants to have your track featured? Then you can get in contact on my Facebook page

 

As always, I hope you enjoy the mix and I look forward to bringing you many more!

 

Nicky

 

 

Tracklist:

1)  00:00 – 05:07 – Malaky & Bone Man – Always (Free on SC)

2) 05:07 – 08:42 – Tribal Injection – My Next Thing (Nicky Havey remix) – Deep Down Dirty Label

3) 08:42 – 12:40 – Monrroe – Fleeting Love – Galacy Label

4) 12:40 – 14:28 – Switch & Lenzman – Ice Cold Soul (Original Mix) – Computer Integrated Audio Label

5) 14:28 – 18:47 – Mode:Funktion – That Funky Bass – C:Recordings Label

6) 18:47 – 23:05 – WMB – Piano Talk – Influenza Media Label

7) 23:05 – 26:40 – Silence Groove – Scandinavian Dream – Offworld Recordings Label

8) 26:40 – 30:37 – London Elektricity – The Great Drum & Bass Swindle (Logistics remix) – Hospital Records Label

9) 30:37 – 34:13 – Giocator & DJ Ike – Need No Blackout – Offworld Recordings Label

10) 34:13 – 37:28 – Bcee – Our Time – Spearhead Records Label

11) 37:28 – 41:05 – FOTH & Dark Origin – Base Jump (Free on SC)

12) 41:05 – 45:24 – Al Pack – A Quarter After Two – Soul Deep Digital

13) 45:24 – 49:00 – Legion, Logam & Adam Wright – House of Cards – Program Label

14) 49:00 – 52:41 – Bank – Cheese & Crackers – Soul Deep Exclusives Label

15) 52:41 – 56:16 – Danny Byrd – Soul Function – Hospital Records Label

16) 56:16 – 60:12 – FiendReflex & Gina Lola – A Better Life (Nicky Havey remix) – Allowance Records Label

So what HAVE you actually done this year?

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It’s incredible how it has got to June already and this is only my 3rd blog of the year… BUT, maybe I can shed some light as to why I’ve not been so active with writing, SoundCloud or YouTube since January. Brace yourselves for an insight in to where the last 6 months have gone!

 

Facebook

Yes, the golden social media platform of Facebook has been something I’ve been getting my head round since the beginning of year. “Why bother with that hideous creation? It’s full of so much negativity and false pretence.” Well, it’s quite a simple answer.

 

I want to create a community which promotes positive vibes and helps you to escape to a better place through uplifting Drum & Bass music. It’s slow progress but progress nonetheless. I shall not be defeated as I want to help as many people as possible in this way 🙂

 

Join this positive community if you haven’t already

 

Platform Project

A bolt out of the blue happened earlier in the year when DJ Pi from the Platform Project asked me if I wanted to co-host this amazing show that promotes underground artists. It was the Secret SoundCloud and Platform Project podcasts that got me into making my own Havey’s Highlights series in the first place so I was naturally OVER THE MOON when he asked me to join him.

 

 

I have a slot on the third Tuesday, every two months on the growing network of BassPort FM with some talented DJs, so I’m so grateful for that opportunity.

 

This was the kick up the ass I needed to start thinking more seriously about getting better DJ equipment, an upgraded PC and about my role in the underground world! It did require a lot of spending and budgeting for it but I see it as a very worthwhile investment. If you don’t invest in yourself, who else will?

 

 

Live Shows buddy!

This leads me nicely in to my next point about live shows. Wow, what? Yea LIVE shows! I have always wanted to do these for a long time but confidence is always a tricky thing to muster up for me, especially when I am very much an introvert!

 

As I already said, it took months of preparation, practice, building up confidence to speak and broadcast, getting the right equipment, understanding what to do, getting the volumes right so I don’t give your eardrums a shock from the microphone etc. 😛 Was it worth it? YOU BET!!

 

It was Brainsmudge Radio who kept me motivated as the owners of the station (Lee Smith and Michael Kain) were exceptionally patient with me and I didn’t want to let them down. It was sadly their last day of broadcast in April but I finally got round to doing my first live show with them and what a rush it was! I will never forget it 😀

 

 

Now I have got the bug of live internet radio shows, I’m going to be doing more of them as we look to take the Platform Project on BassPort FM to the next level in July and I’m also joining the Drumbase roster on a semi-regular basis!

 

What this means is that I will be better able to interact with YOU during a broadcast, giving YOU a better experience (I hope) and play the tracks YOU want to hear. Does that make you as happy as this kid? 🙂

 

Finally

Before I depart from this monologue, I wanted to tell you that all of the events leading up to now have taken a lot of time, effort, patience and dedication and will continue to do so. Although I celebrate these successes with you, I hope that you feel encouraged to strive for something that you really want to do and work hard to get to where you want to be 🙂

 

What are your dreams right now? Do you have something you are working towards? Let me know in the comments below!

 

The next live show I am doing will be on Drumbase in July but I will keep you up to date with the latest on my Facebook page so head over there and to stay informed!

 

Nicky

 

P.S. I’ll not leave it 6 months for the next blog 😉

It’s Playtime! [Melodic Drum & Bass track]

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Hey you, how’s it going?! Welcome back to another blog of mine! This time I will be wrapping up the story of the Moving On EP with the final track called “Playtime”, a high energy melodic drum & bass track to get the blood pumping more than it already is (assuming you’re alive and well)! But what’s it all about? So glad you asked 😀

 

Playtime

I really wanted to bring across a positive, uplifting drum & bass track to round off this EP and Playtime was the result. It is meant to depict complete freedom and enjoyment from the negative environment I was in before, which lead to mild depression at the time. I made a big decision to get myself out of there, overcoming my fear of the unknown and challenging myself to actually do what I said I wanted to do all along – travel the world.

 

 

So that’s what I did and I truly enjoyed my Playtime, seeing some wonderful places and meeting some very interesting people. I look forward to the next adventure! I’ll be sharing more of my travels in coming weeks and hopefully inspire you to take your own leap of faith and get that well earned playtime 🙂

 

Where can I get this drum & bass EP??

Thanks to Allowance Records (now Exitus Records), you can get the full EP by clicking here.

Also thanks to the Audio Animals for bringing this song to it’s full potential.

 

I hope you enjoyed the Moving On EP, let me know what you think in the comments below 🙂

 

Speak to you soon

 

Nicky

Melodic Drum & Bass Podcast anyone?

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Yes, the Havey’s Highlights podcast is back with a bang as the 10th edition was aired on Drumbase Radio this weekend! A big thanks to Detroit Raver for asking me to be a part of the online platform and indeed, giving me the impetus to push these forward. There will be a new podcast each month and I’ve assembled a crack team of previous “Havey’s Highlights” artists who are willing to share their new sounds with you in this format! Exciting times ahead 😀

 

There is some scope to do this all live (ooo-errr) in 2017 when I have configured my equipment (and myself) accordingly so there is a chance for you to get more involved with the show. I’ll keep you posted on that as it develops!

 

For now though, enjoy the podcast and don’t forget to show your support to the artists as well! The track list is at the bottom of this article 🙂

 

Thanks to everyone who joined in the chat room last night, I feel fortunate to know a great bunch of people! What was your favourite part of the podcast? Drop your comments below 🙂

 

Take it easy

 

Nicky

 

Free download here

 

Tracklist:

00:00 – 04:25

Nicky Havey – Wish You Were Here

 

04:25 – 08:01

Bronski – Drive Assistant

 

08:01 – 13:03

R-Vee – Mind The Gap

 

13:03 – 15:56

Matty Woods – Aurora

 

15:56 – 20:35

Four80East – TKO (Al Pack Bootleg)

 

20:35 – 24:12

Macca, Hosta & Jodi – New Beginnings

 

24:12 – 27:26

Nuvaman & Dakota Sixx – Innocence (Zen Dub & Karas remix)

 

27:26 – End

Apaza – At The Periphery

 

 

 

Drum & Bass Pep Talk!

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I’ve been in a good place with all the developments that have been going on recently! So much has happened that I haven’t had time to get through the “Moving On” EP that was released at the end of September with Allowance Records. Until now that is…. 😉

 

Moving On

I wrote this track when I was escaping from a dark period in my life and contemplating moving on to bigger and better things (around January 2015). I finally had the courage to stand up and say I had had enough of the environment that brought me isolation, depression and a total disregard for my well-being. This was one of the most satisfying things I have done and I strongly encourage anyone who is feeling down about their current situation to be pro-active and improve your life.

 

“Moving On” captures the moment when I decided to go travelling and the overwhelming positive feeling it gave me in doing so. Instead of just talking about it, I actually did it and it gave me a sense self-confidence, even though I’m still low in that personality trait these days. It taught me that it’s better to just take the plunge than to live in something that you’re familiar with, even when the familiar ‘thing’ is really damaging to you!

 

With that in mind, this song is one of my personal favourites I’ve made as it reminds me to keep challenging myself and push towards those new horizons. I hope that you feel inspired to drive yourself to do things outside of your comfort zone after reading or listening to the track. Don’t let fear stop you from doing the things you want to do 🙂

 

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Shout Outs

I was over the moon when Louise Carron Harris told me she was playing “Moving On” on her New Music Discovery Show on Marlow FM 97.5 so a big thanks to her. One day we’ll get that interview sorted out (3 years in the making now haha)!

Also thanks to my friends Laura, Andy and Lucian who were always there for a supportive push.

Finally, of course all my music friends and fans who chipped in with the positive comments along the way. It really does make a difference!

 

Where can we get this song?

So to get a cleaner, full version of the song, you can click here and enjoy the EP. I look forward to telling you about the final track, Playtime, in due course 🙂

 

In the meantime, subscribe to these blogs (at the bottom of the post) and you will get updated on new, exciting developments, including free downloads, podcasts and more!

 

Take it easy

 

Nicky

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