DJ/Producer - Bombtree

Nigel Mount, aka Bombtree (if you're wondering where this name came from, don't worry, his name origin story follows in the interview below) performed an opening set last night at Jewel Nightclub in Manchester, NH. His song choices were fresh, and his sound was unique; it was a nice way to start the night. Learn more about DJ Bombtree in the following interview!

Phil: So tell me how you become a DJ.

Nigel: I got into DJing because I've always wanted to be in a band, and I liked writing music..but it's hard to find a bunch of people who actually want to play music all of the time. So I asked myself, "What's the modern day version of a one man band?" DJing became the solution. This was back in 2011 when the mobile DJ idea was taking off...DJing wasn't just something you did at nightclubs underground..it was something where you could travel and actually put on a performance. So from there I started dabbling in the industry.

Phil: Do you produce music?

Nigel: Yes I do. I actually started producing before I became a DJ. I played 4 or so original tracks and remixes tonight that stemmed from projects I created using Ableton.

Phil: How did you motivate yourself start this career as a DJ/producer?

Nigel: Well I remember going out to clubs and stuff when I turned 21..and I would look and listen to these DJs who just couldn't seem to beat-match properly, didn't mix in key, etc. and it frustrated me. I would stand there in the crowd and say to myself, "I can do better than these guys." So after about 6 months of the same scene over and over again, I decided to challenge myself. I played around with music for a little bit and just had fun with it, and I realized that what I'm doing can actually entertain and make people happy. I committed to music from that point on. This was two and a half years ago, and I've been DJing ever since.

Phil: So where'd your stage name come from?

Nigel: I used to go by another name, but I got sick of explaining where that name came from so I decided to change it. I was obsessed with surf culture from the 50s and 60s..like the scenes out of Miami and Southern California, and I started creating and doodling some characters based off of that. My goal was to expand my brand. One of the characters was called a "bombtree," and he had little cartoon bombs for hands instead of coconuts. I wanted to build everything around this brand idea - a clothing line and everything. The name just sounded cool to me..plus, "bomb" gives it a hard element where "tree" gives off a tropical kind of vibe - both of which are styles of music I like to produce and perform. On top of that, saying "bombtree" kind of sounds like "palm tree" which adds a rhyming element too. So far this new image and new name has given me new life.

Phil: You referenced a quote for me earlier about what DJing actually means to you, can you speak on that again?

Nigel: Armin Van Buuren said it best, and he said something like this: "A DJ is anyone who finds a song and simply wants to share it with other people.' When I come across something unique or cool, I immediately want others to hear it and experience it with me. That's what DJing is all about to me. I've fallen in love with entertaining people.

Phil: Is there anything you want to add about your style, your message?

Nigel: I want everyone to feel comfortable and have a good time at my shows. I'm going to play the songs that I like, but at the same time I try to make my shows all inclusive. I also would like to add that awhile back, I posted online that I will never sell my music. If I can earn a decent living doing what I do right now, I promise to hold true to that. My songs will always be free.

Phil: Good stuff; I'm going to hold you to that!

Nigel: Haha it's on the record officially now! Thanks for the interview.

Phil: Thank you.

Check out one of his Bootlegs here:

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