Nathan Coles
Nathan Coles was a British tech house DJ. Described as an "originator of tech house" and a "towering figure of the tech house scene," he played a pivotal role in shaping the UK's tech house scene during the late 1990s and 2000s.
Career
[edit]Coles began his career by organizing numerous parties and underground raves across London during the early 1990s.[1] He first gained recognition for organizing the renowned Release parties.[2] In 1994, he co-founded the influential UK tech-house event Wiggle alongside Terry Francis, featuring renowned DJs such as Richie Hawtin, Layo & Bushwacka!, and Mr. G. Wiggle quickly gained prominence, and Coles, Francis, and fellow resident Eddie Richards held a residency at Fabric for over a decade.[3] He was a central figure in the UK's tech house scene from the late 1990s through the 2000s.[1] After a hiatus, Wiggle re-launched both its label and party series in 2019 to commemorate its 25th anniversary.[2]
Coles released music under various aliases, most notably as Get Fucked, as well as Two Right Wrongans, Housey Doingz, and The Delinquents.[4] He collaborated with artists like Francis, Mr. C, Silverlining, and Nils Hess. His productions appeared on labels such as Groove Pleasure, 10 Kilo, Hotkitchen! Records, and his own imprint, Is This.[2][3] Mixmag credits Coles with "producing a number of the nascent scene’s most lasting and iconic tracks".[4]
In addition to his live DJ performances, Coles also enjoyed a prolific career in music production, amassing over 200 releases on his own labels, Wiggle Records and Is This Music.[1]
Death
[edit]On 15 February 2023, Coles' sons, Fabian and Josh, confirmed on his Facebook profile that he had died by suicide on February 12, 2023, following severe mental health issues.[3]
Tributes were widely shared on social media mourning Coles' passing. Carl Loben, DJ Mag's editor-in-chief, remembered him as a tech-house pioneer, from co-founding Wiggle parties with Terry Francis to his impactful Get Fucked alias. Simone Butler of Primal Scream hailed him as a scene figurehead, recalling her time at Wiggle and admiration for his releases.[5]
Discography
[edit]Albums and EPs
[edit]- Pick-N-Mix EP (Wiggle, 1996) (as Housey Doingz)[6]
- Tech House Phenomena, Vol. 2 (Euka/Eukahouse, 1999)
- Give Me a Break (10 Kilo, 2005)
- Twelve Upheavals That Brought the Redwoods to Flight (Facehead, 2005)
- Wiggle for 20 Years (Fabric, 2014)[7]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Groove, Aria (2023-02-15). "Nathan Coles, Fabric resident and member of Wiggle, has passed away". Electronic Groove. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
- ^ a b c "Nathan Coles, UK tech-house legend, dies, aged 52". DJ Mag. 2023-02-15. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
- ^ a b c Jones, Damian (2023-02-15). "Legendary tech house DJ and Fabric resident Nathan Coles has died". NME. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
- ^ a b "UK tech-house originator Nathan Coles has died aged 52". Mixmag. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
- ^ Goggins, Joe (2023-02-15). "Nick Cave shares thoughts on 'Delilah' censorship row". Rolling Stone UK. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
- ^ "RIP Nathan Coles: 21 of his best tracks picked by Silverlining". Mixmag. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ "Nathan Coles Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & Mor..." AllMusic. Retrieved 2024-07-17.