Broadcasting from London, UK, Nicky Roland joins for an in depth conversation on rebuilding a music career, launching independent labels, and developing AI powered marketing infrastructure for modern artists. With roots in the late 80s and early 90s underground scene, Nicky shares how early major label setbacks led him to step away from music before ultimately returning stronger with full creative and business control.
He walks through the evolution of Ananki & Kronos, explaining why he split the label into Gold and Black divisions to clearly serve soulful house audiences on TrackSource and harder tech house and techno listeners on Beatport. Drawing from decades of experience in tech and advertising, he outlines the importance of real promotional effort in a saturated marketplace where thousands of tracks are released daily.
The conversation expands into entrepreneurship, ownership versus corporate reach, and the realities of modern pay to play marketing. Nicky introduces ANC Promo, his AI driven promotional platform built to automate press releases, social media content, cover art generation, hook analysis, playlist swaps, and upcoming email campaign tools. His philosophy is clear – AI should enhance workflow, not replace human creativity. Imperfection, experimentation, and happy studio accidents still define great music.
Topics
0:10 – Introduction and early music beginnings in the late 80s and 90s
4:48 – Underground London and the Coalesce warehouse scene
8:20 – Major label shelving and creative independence
9:24 – The meaning behind the name Nicky Roland
15:06 – Launching Ananki & Kronos and building traction
18:01 – Splitting the label into Gold and Black divisions
25:14 – What modern labels should actually do for artists
34:51 – Introducing ANC Promo and AI powered marketing tools
48:08 – AI as workflow support versus full music creation
56:10 – The catalyst that relaunched his recording career
Connect with Nicky Roland
Instagram: nickyrolandmusic
Ananki & Kronos: instagram.com/anankikronos
ANC Promo: ancpromo.com
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“The DJ Sessions” is a Twitch/Mixcloud “Featured Partner” live streaming/podcast series featuring electronic music DJ’s/Producers via live mixes/interviews and streamed/distributed to a global audience. TheDJSessions.com
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With over 2,700 episodes produced over the last 16 years “The DJ Sessions” has featured international artists such as: Matt Staffanina, Cosmic Gate, The Midnight, Amal Nemer, Andrea Casta, Peter Mac, Martin Jensen, Felix Sama, Larse, Ria Mehta, Jens Lissat, Riko & Gugga, BT, Martin Eyerer, Thomas Turner, Plastik Funk, Johan Blende, syence, Redman, Youngr, Dr. Fresch, Sergio Matina, Remo Giugni, Andrew Mills, Robbo Fitzgibbons, HAXHIA, Jungstedt, Deuandra, Faranoe Bros., Leandro Da Silva, Djuma Soundsystem, Massimo Vivona, Late Aster, Andrea Grasselli, ASTOR, Ferry Corsten, Nvrsoft, Alejandro, Thaylo, Robert Owens, Darude, Erika Grapes, Herbert Holler, Meecah, YORK, Sevenn, Amber D, Joey Riot, Drove, Martin Trevy, Thomas Datt, Siryuz & Smoky, Simon Shackleton, SurfingDJ’s, Jacob Henry, Rïa Mehta, Vintage & Morrelli, Joachim Garraud, Mizeyesis, Drop Out Orchestra, Dave Lambert, Tom Wax, Kenn Colt, Nathassia aka Goddess is a DJ, Joni Ljungqvist, mAdcAt, Wuki, DiscoKitty, Handshake in Space, Thaylo, Moon Beats, Barnacle Boi, IAMDRAKE, Spag Heddy, Scott Slyter, Simply City, Rob Gee, Micke, Jerry Davila, SpeakerHoney, Sickotoy, Teenage Mutants, DJ Mowgli, Wooli, Somna, Gamuel Sori, Curbi, Alex Whalen, Netsky, Rich DietZ, Stylust, Bexxie, Chuwe, Proff, Muzz, Raphaelle, Boris, MJ Cole, Flipside, Ross Harper, DJ S.K.T., Skeeter, Bissen, 2SOON, Kayzo, Sabat, Katie Chonacas, DJ Fabio, Homemade, Hollaphonic, Lady Waks, Dr. Ushuu, Arty/Alpha 9, Miri Ben-Ari, DJ Ruby, DJ Colette, Textbook Maneuver, Nima Gorji, Kaspar Tasane, Queen City Hooligan, Andy Caldwell, Party Shirt, Plastik Funk, ENDO, John Tejada, Hoss, Alejandro, DJ Sash U, Arkley, Bee Bee, Cozmic Cat, Superstar DJ Keoki, Crystal Waters, Swedish Egil, Dezarate, Maddy O’Neal, Sonic Union, Lea Luna, Belle Humble, Marc Marzenit, Ricky Disco, AthenaLuv, Maximillian, Saeed Younan, Inkfish, Kidd Mike, Magitman, Michael Anthony, They Kiss, Downupright, Harry “the Bigdog” Jamison, DJ Tiger, DJ Aleksandra, 22Bullets, Carlo Astuti, Mr Jammer, Kevin Krissen, Amir Sharara, Coke Beats, Danny Darko, DJ Platurn, Tyler Stone, Chris Coco, Purple Fly, Slantooth, Amber Long,