THE HERO’S JOURNEY:
Innocence | The Call | Initiation | Allies | Breakthrough | Celebration

This collection of music is to tell the story of 'The Hero’s Journey.' It is the soundtrack to his trek.  Part One represents the first three stages of the journey:  Innocence, The Call and Initiation.  It is a long slow burn and meant to be dark and emotional. At times, it may give a feeling of being “other worldly” or even ethereal.  In the beginning, you’ll hear the 'Innocence' of this traveler - the unknown of what is to come.  As our Hero recognizes 'The Call', the percussion starts to build and intensify in his anticipation.  Recognizing this trek as a spiritual journey, The Hero’s 'Initiation' begins and the music changes as he reflects. In his reflection there are times of sadness and heartache but in the darkness there is always a light and healing; a yearning for better and brighter.  Listening closely, an underlying feeling of hope and possibility is always present.  
During this journey, our Hero meets his protector, his guardian, his muse; his Phoenix – PHILYRA. She is his Spirit Animal, guiding him to his ReINCARNATION.
This set is filled with the mystery and sense of wonder our Hero experienced along his journey.  It is deep and melodic, almost primal in feel sometimes with its rhythms, percussions and tribal chanting.  So, as the lyrics say... 

“It’s time to open up the cage and watch her fly away...”

Free Download

R7: Philyra | ReINCARNATED Part 1 of 2

• Progressive • Techno • Dark Disco • Underground • Tribal •

Based out of Los Angeles, Justin Nicoll’s sound emphasizes melodic elements fusing edgy, progressive, and driving basslines with deep and hypnotic rhythms.  Collectively, his sets merge techno, progressive house, and tribal genres with unique textures and curate a future forward sound while sprinkling in nostalgia along the way. Justin’s DJ sets are truly progressive in nature, and leads his crowd on a hedonistic yet emotional journey that keeps their bodies pumping and grooving all night. His DJ sets and music production draws inspiration from artists such as Sasha & John Digweed, John Creamer & Stephane K, Rick Pier O’Neil, ARTBAT, Oscar Mulero, and Rene Wise.

Justin began his journey DJing during the pandemic (2020), and fell in love with progressive house and techno after attending underground raves and Berlin’s techno scene. Since then he has played numerous and diverse events around the United States and abroad, including leather events, underground warehouse raves, circuit parties, tea dances, and pool parties.  Folsom (San Francisco), Los Angeles Leather Pride’s Off-Sunset Festival, Palm Springs Pride, The Cuff Seattle, and Brawny Bear Weekend (Puerto Vallarta). 

He has recurring gigs and performances for parties including TUFF, Masterbeat, GPS, Trophy Dad, The Eagle LA, MEAT RACK, Tom of Finland, Mantamar Beach Club (PVR) and underground warehouse events including SMD and ABUNDA. He has provided support for headlining artists such as PAGANO, Karsten Sollors, GSP, and Berghain/Panarama Bar resident Partok. His online podcasts and live DJ set recordings have accumulated just over 39,000 plays and listens since 2022 on SoundCloud. 

For bookings contact: jx.nicoll24@gmail.com

Events and Parties
TUFF (resident)
Masterbeat
GPS (LA)
Masteurdome Folsom (San Francisco)
Trophy Dad (San Francisco)
LA Leather Pride Off Sunset Festival (LA)
SMD (warehouse; LA)
Tom of Finland: TOM’s BAR (LA)
Brawny Bear Weekend (Puerto Vallarta)
Bear Trap (Puerto Vallarta)
Palm Springs Pride
Cheap & Dirty at The Cuff (Seattle)
Meat Rack at The Eagle (LA)
ABUNDA (warehouse; LA)

Michael Thomas’ journey on the decks began almost three decades ago at a friend’s downtown loft for a small private party. It was in the middle of this party where Michael was offered his first paying and public gig, leading him to his first DJ residency at Cleveland’s newest bar, Club Visions, where he would remain for the next almost two years developing his following and honing his craft.  Quickly recognized for his uplifting sound and unique story-telling placed Michael in high demand, adding him to the rosters for national events like The Ohio Boy’s Club parties and Dancin’ in the Streets in Cleveland, Corbett Reynolds’ ‘Rudely Elegant’ Red Party in Columbus and Change of Seasons in Atlanta to name a few.  Michael has been a frequent returning guest DJ at nightclubs throughout the U.S. and has helmed multiple residencies in Cleveland, Fort Lauderdale and Chicago.   

Some of Michael’s strongest early influences like veteran DJs and legends Mark Tarbox, Susan Morabito and Buc or famed producers Frankie Knuckles, Mark Picchiotti and David Morales are still inherently present and recognizable in his sets today – uplifting vocals and banging piano keys and horns, sexy Afro and tribal rhythms and percussions, underground tech or warm melodic techno. Michael's timing and his command of the room are proof to a resumé that spans nearly two decades. His versatility as a DJ has booked him gigs for tea dance to after hours for big rooms such as U4IA in Cleveland or Tabernacle in Atlanta to the intimate Posh or Sidebar in Fort Lauderdale. 

Michael Thomas had been away from the decks for nearly a decade while he focused on his bar career, family and self. During that time he was part of the development team and later became Head Bartender for one of the country’s leading cocktail bars, Sable Kitchen & Bar in Chicago. During his tenure at Sable Kitchen & Bar, Michael gained national attention in publications like Imbibe, Timeout, Forbes, Chicago Tribune, Plate, Men’s Journal, Travel & Leisure, Wine Enthusiast, Bar & Restaurant and Zagat and was a key contributor to the bar earning national accolades:  “10 Best Restaurant Bars in Chicago” by USA Today, “Best Hotel Bars” by Food and Wine, “Best Bars in America” by Esquire, “Best Bar Team” and “Best American Hotel Bar” by Tales of the Cocktail.  During this time he also married his long-term partner and soul mate, Canadian-born artist Darren Jones.

Recently, Michael is speaking publicly about his ‘aha’ moment(s) during the COVID-19 lockdown and how he was brought back to the music. In lockdown, he faced his demons with eyes wide opened and triumphed over his many years' battle with addiction and is now living sober.  In his sobriety, he says he is "learning self-love," has adopted "an essential routine of self-care" and has uncovered a new found spirituality where he's discovered his muse, Philyra. Michael's return to the DJ booth is bringing a new maturity and a refreshed sound that he credits to life experience – the struggles and celebrations, alike. With an invigorated perspective and his self-proclaimed “reincarnation” combined with his music, one might say they are listening to the soundtrack of his life. Michael’s ability to create a “journey” for his dance floor has never been more apparent and will undoubtedly continue to propel him to tell his story and compose his “soundtrack."

A pretty normal guy from the neighborhood :O)

Big time fan of Eric Prydz ! 🙌🏽 Above & Beyond, Tinlicker, Ben Böhmer, Kaskade, Sultán & Shepard; Chicane; Cubicolor, Lane 8; Jody Wisternoff; Genix; Marsh; Darren Tate, ….

R7: Philyra | ReINCARNATED Part 1 of 2

MICHAEL THOMAS