Community Highlights: Meet Nick Martin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Martin.  

Hi Nick, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Music has been and continues to be a devotion, passion, and a hobby for me since my childhood. I remember being a kid and listening to music from the ’70s, growing up listening to ’80s songs, and feeling the vibes from the ’90s. I started very young, when I was 14 or 15 years old, collecting music, old records, and tapes. 

It was not until the year 2000 when I decided to become a DJ. Another friend who was into music and I together started our local DJ business called “MUSICMAN DJs, Audio and Lighting,” and we began doing private events and parties. Time goes by, and after a year, we decided to go separate ways. My friend was more focused on photography and filming, and I was more on the music side. 

Another year goes, I continued carrying on with the company I started with my previous friend until I met another local DJ. From there, we started a relationship, sharing ideas, experiences, knowledge, and events. Our relationship continued for another year and we finally realized that by joining forces, we could do much more, so we decided to start our own DJ business known as “MINITECA VENMAN DJ, SOUND AND LIGHTING”. During this time, we were busy every weekend with up to 3 to 5 parties per weekend; sometimes we had to subcontract other DJs to cover more events. Business was booming, and we were investing in equipment for future plans. We were able to do bigger events such as concerts and local festivals. Apex Latino Arts Festival, Dominican Festival, Don Omar’s 1st Charlotte Concert at the Bojangles Arena, formerly known as Cricket Arena, Oscar De Leon, La Makina, Wisin y Yandel held at The Backstage, Franco DeVita performing at the Blumenthal Performing Art Center, Victor Manuelle, Orquesta Guayacan, Grupo Niche, Fernando Arau, Priscila y sus Pistolas, and many more regional and international talent. As a DJ company, we were also playing at local nightclubs such as Latorre’s, Forum, Salamandras, Skandalos, Buckhead Saloon, Suite, Illusions 1000. Back then, I was taking audio engineering classes at CPCC and at the same time being a DJ. I was just starting out, getting to know the ways of keeping the crowd going, building my music library, learning new tricks of the trade, and being mentored by other DJ friends. “MINITECA VENMAN DJ, SOUND AND LIGHTING” remained in business until around 2010, when the house market completely collapsed, and business overall declined. It was hard for us to stay in business to the point that we had to go separate ways, and again, I was on my own carrying on with the company I started with my second business partner. 

With the economy being impacted by the housing bubble, not many events were getting booked. I was not heavily involved with DJing and gigs, and I was more focused on school, work, and family. Some time went by, and I decided to switch things around and rebrand my business to something more trending and easy to remember. That is when I came up with Nick Martin. Since then, I have been DJing for different venues here in Charlotte and surrounding areas. The Pub At Gateway, Barrel, Tilt, The Union, DJ’s Skylounge, El Centenario, QC Social, Charlotte’s Tin Roof, Snug Harbor, Mambo Nights, Vida Cantina, Big Ben, Clutch, The Boatyard, Scorpio, Press Box, La Capital MX, Charandas, La Lena, La Fonda, Kate’s Seafood Rest, The Fairwoor, RSVP, The Dandelion Market, Buho’s Rooftop, Yancey Brewing Company, Noda Brewing Company and many more. I have performed for different festivals such as Apex Latino Arts Festival, Festival Latinoamericano, Charlotte’s Parranda Venezolana, Festival Viva Venezuela, Summit Seltzer Fest, Charlotte’s Donut Fest, and Charlotte’s Empanada Fest. International talents I have shared stage with Joel and Randy, Billo’s Caracas Boys, Cardenales del Exito, Diveana, Desorden Publico, Tecupae, Los Amigos Invisibles, Ronald Borgas, Nelson Arrieta, Neguito Borgas, Luis Enrique, Tito Nieves, Gonin. Regional talent I have shared stage with, Conjunto Pentagrama, Swing Gaitero, Skynfolks, Davisson Brothers Band, Smokey Jones and the 3 Pistols, Ultima Nota, Orquesta Mayor, Bakalao Stars, Desorden Publico, and more. 

I have done many private events. Weddings, Sweet 16 and Sweet 15 (Quiceaneras), Parties, and more since I started as a DJ. I currently offer sound and lighting equipment rental, Master of Ceremony for events along with DJing. I am an open-format DJ, offering the crowd a mix of everything. I keep the music going nonstop, blending hit after hit and fluctuating depending on what the audience’s vibe tells me. From current dance hits, top 40 songs, pop, rap, hip hop bangers (classic, old school to new), house, remixes, mashups, and because of my diverse background and knowledge on music, I always keep some other genres up my sleeve surprising the audience all seamlessly blended, keeping the energy level at its peak, and the crowd anxiously waiting for the hit banger. 

I can be found on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Mixcloud, and TikTok). 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Honestly, it has not. It has been a very rocky path. It does not matter how good you are at whatever you do. There will always be someone being considered over you for being more “budget-friendly” or “close friends,” knowing that sometimes this does not turn out well. I have always remained independent because there is no local support, and those supporting you are not that many. The market is oversaturated. Local venues and promoters stick to only certain DJs even when these DJs are not up to standards. Networking is not something done often among DJs, and DJs in general tend to trash talk about other DJs. There is little support from DJs to other DJs in my opinion. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Dj Nick Martin?
I focus on events regardless of type. Weddings, Sweet 16 and Sweet 15 (Quiceaneras), Partes, Homecoming, Graduations, Festivals, Concerts, Corporate and private events, Bars, and nightclubs. I offer multicultural professional DJs, bilingual Spanish English master of ceremony, top-of-the-line sound and lighting equipment rental, Silent disco headphones, video DJs. 

Any big plans?
Since I was at a point where I was able to do different events per day, my goal is to reach that point again. My plans are always to grow locally and regionally. I have teamed up with other DJs around Charlotte, NC to offer our services. I have also been working on getting my name out there and getting more into the nightclub scene. 

There are moments where I think if I will ever stop DJing, and I do not see myself doing that anytime soon. I believe I will still be DJing when I get much older. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Instagram.com/NickmartinDJ
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NickMartinDJ/
• Twitter: mixcloud.com/DJNickMartin/
• Youtube: tiktok.com/@nickmartindj
• Other: https://www.reverbnation.com/DJNickMartin 

Image Credits
Zaconet Films