Nickonthebeat: From the Sydney Underground to Beatport’s Top Charts

Nickonthebeat - Save Me EP [Mal-Function]

Sydney-based producer Nickonthebeat has been earning recognition across the techno underground with his signature raw, looping grooves that blend hypnotic energy and rolling percussion.

His latest EP, Save Me — released on Mal-Function — has just hit #2 on Beatport’s Raw/Deep/Hypnotic Releases Chart, while the title track Save Me and Dissociation both entered the Top 100 Techno Tracks, solidifying his position as one of the most promising new names in the scene.

We caught up with Nick to discuss his creative process, inspirations, and vision for the future.

Hi Nick, where are you joining us from, and how are things going today?

Hi Techno Culture Magazine, thanks for the questions, things are going great, joining from Sydney, Australia.

Your latest EP Save Me on Mal-Function just hit #2 on Beatport’s Raw/Deep/Hypnotic releases chart — congratulations! How does it feel seeing your work connect with so many listeners?

It feels amazing to have people who support my music, it is one of the best feelings as a producer to see people streaming and downloading my music.

Both Save Me and Dissociation from the same EP have entered Beatport’s Top 100 tracks. Can you tell us about the creative process behind those tracks and what inspired them?

For the Save Me track I was messing around with some random synths and sequencers trying to find something I liked, and once I had something I was happy with I added some dark ambient female vocals which was a concept I had been using in other tracks, all the other elements sort of fell into place and that is how Save Me was made. When I was making Dissociation the producer Maoh released an EP with Primal Instinct and I was really inspired by his production, I wanted to make a track with elements inspired by him but still have my heavy sound.

Nickonthebeat - Adrenaline Rush EP [Industrial Echo Records]

Your productions have a very distinctive groove — raw, hypnotic, and built around looping energy that keeps the listener locked in. What draws you to that sound, and how do you approach building those rolling rhythms?

Hearing that style of techno live is incomparable to other genres of music for me personally, that is what draws me to that sound, feeling the deep rumble from the speakers. The way I approach building my tracks is almost always the same. I start with the kick and bass since it is probably the most important element. My preferred choice of creating the low end is using 909 kicks and toms, using toms I feel makes a song feel more tribal. Once I have a kick and bass that I am happy with I start with synths and fx, and then I will add the percussion and hats. Once I have a loop I am happy with I arrange it.

Nickonthebeat - Get Closer EP [Mal-Function]

You’ve released several records on Mal-Function and Industrial Echo Records. What has your experience been like working with these labels, and how do they complement your artistic vision?

It is hard to find small labels that are really passionate about music and have extremely good communication between the producers and managers. Luckily I found Mal-Function, which have been incredible to work with, they really support the artists which is amazing to see especially for the raw/hypnotic style of techno.

There’s a certain dark, emotional undertone to your tracks, even when they’re highly percussive and driving. Is that something you consciously aim for, or does it emerge naturally when you produce?

To be honest I try to produce tracks that I would want to listen to, which results in the dark undertones and heavy percussion, so I would say that comes naturally when choosing samples and creating grooves.

Can you describe your studio setup — are you more hardware-based, or do you prefer an in-the-box digital workflow?

I don't use any hardware at the moment, all my production is done on my computer in Ableton with plugins. Perhaps in the future I would use some hardware but I really like the workflow of using software.

Many of your tracks maintain a steady, hypnotic pulse. How do you keep a loop-driven structure interesting and dynamic from start to finish?

When I produce a track I start with a loop that contains all the elements in that track all at once. To keep the track interesting and dynamic I use a lot of arrangement techniques such as automation, creating tension and having impactful drops. I like to automate the decay on some of my drums to add energy especially the hi hats. A signature technique of mine involves sending the entire track through interesting reverb and delay return channels to create tension and involving interesting fx sounds.

Who are some artists or labels that have influenced your sound over the years?

My main influences would have to be artists that involve a lot of tribal elements in their tracks. The main artists that have inspired my latest ep would have to be Maoh, Marcal and Aidan Rudd. The main label that also influences my sound would have to be Primal Instinct, the artists on that label probably have the best sound design in the entire techno scene at the moment.

Nickonthebeat - Demology [Industrial Echo Records]

Australia’s techno scene has been growing steadily — how do you see the underground landscape evolving there, and what role do you hope to play in it?

The Australian underground scene I feel is slowly growing, there are a lot of talented artists that don't get the credit they deserve, Aidan Rudd is a standout within the Australian underground techno scene. It is really inspiring to see him start to get the recognition he deserves, he is on the same level production wise as a lot of artists who play shows every week in Europe. In terms of what role I hope to play in it, I'm happy with hearing DJs play my songs, I make music as a hobby, so to see any recognition is a bonus.

How did you first get into producing techno? Was there a specific moment or experience that made you realize this was the sound you wanted to pursue?

I first started producing at the end of 2024, that year I started listening to electronic dance music, I first started listening to house and slowly started listening to techno. Going to see DJs play live would have been the moment that inspired me to start making music. I thought it would have been cool to see a DJ perhaps play my music in front of a huge crowd. Shortly after I downloaded Ableton and instantly became obsessed with making music.

Your groove-heavy sound feels made for the dance floor. When you’re in the studio, do you imagine how a crowd will react, or do you create more instinctively?

I definitely imagine how a crowd would react to my song when I am producing it, since hearing techno in a club or warehouse is the ideal place with crowds of people all dancing, my main goal when making a song is for it to sound good live.

Nickonthebeat - Temple Run [Mustache Crew Records]

You’ve now charted multiple times on Beatport. What are some personal milestones or goals you’re aiming for next in your career?

Perhaps having a track reach the top 15 singles would be a goal for a future release, other than that I don't really set myself insanely high expectations since I make music for fun, which is important because if you don't meet those standards and expectations the love for making music might start to go away.

Outside of producing, what keeps you inspired and creatively recharged?

I am always listening to techno music, if I hear something interesting that will usually inspire me to make something of my own. That is probably my main inspiration in making music,

Finally, what can fans expect next from you — any upcoming releases or collaborations in the pipeline?

I don't have anything planned, I like to do things naturally without force. Which is important for keeping the quality, once I have a new idea I will make something of it, so nothing planned so far.

Thank you for the interview and we wish you all the best of luck to coming years!