Nicky Siano On Future Disco Radio

Nicky Siano On Future Disco Radio

“If anyone is to be called a legend, it is Siano.”  New York Magazine, 2011.

This week, we welcome Nicky Siano to Future Disco Radio. One of the few remaining pioneers from the inception of New York’s dance music scene, a scene that birthed disco itself.

Regarded as the first ever disco, Nicky cemented himself in dance music history from the age of 17 when he designed, co-owned, and was the resident DJ at The Gallery. It was here that Nicky ideated the very concept of beatmatching records – an idea that had not previously existed as DJs tended to be selectors fading records in and out – but never actually mixing together cohesively. Credited as the inspiration for clubs like The Paradise Garage and Studio 54, Nicky was also instrumental in the promotion of artists through being a cornerstone in the scene. He was involved in launching careers for Grace Jones, D.C. La Rue, Loleatta Holloway, Larry Levan and Frankie Knuckles, to name a few.

Nicky digs into his place in dance music heritage in his new book, ‘I, DJ’ which is now serialised and available through his Patreon. We’re honoured to have had him on Future Disco Radio this week. Here’s a few words on the guest mix from the an himself:

“In my book ‘I, DJ’, where I describe being in the centre of the very early dance music scene in New York City, 1970-1973, I list songs as I heard them on the streets or in the one party I was able to get into, The Loft. I was so thrilled by this new type of music,  it consumed me, my mind would be full of the latest hook from a tune I heard outside a club, or at The Loft.  As I relived hearing each song for the first time, I began thinking about the many 45’s we played in those early years and longed to share them with everyone.  That inspired me to create the mix ‘The 45’s that launched Disco Pt. 1’ and trust me, there will be a part 2!”