The song’s message of rediscovering self is relatable to the DJ and social media influencer.
For someone who is best known to his 200,000 followers on Instagram for wearing close to nothing at all, it may come as a surprise, that in real life, Nick Stracener wears many hats. In addition to being a social media influencer, he’s a nationally qualified men’s physique athlete. He’s also an international flight attendant who travels the globe weekly, father to two pups, Oliver and Olivia, and fiancé to CX. Plus, he’s a DJ/producer whose new remix of Lindsay Lohan’s “Back to Me” was recently heralded by the superstar actress.
“Music is nothing new to me,” Stracener explains. “I started with the saxophone in the 6th grade after failing the percussion test. Apparently, I didn’t have enough rhythm to play the drums, but the saxophone ended up being a wise decision. I just loved the sound of it and I continued playing it all the way through college. I even got a scholarship because of it.”
Nick was introduced to the dance floor at 18 when he went to his first rave in his hometown of Lindale. Texas.
“I was so fascinated by the sounds I heard,” he remembers. He moved to Dallas soon after and quickly ingratiated himself within the circuit community. “Circuit music is so powerful and liberating because it’s easy to dance to and live your fullest fantasy. There are so many different types of circuit music and it’s really fascinating how unique they all are.”
Nick’s unique sound is best described as a combination of indigenous rhythms with lot of sultry uplifting, female vocals. He aims to take revelers on a journey with high energy beats mixed with slow moments so that can fully experience different emotions. To him, dance music is therapy and a way to escape life’s biggest hurdles. It’s why he was particularly drawn to Lindsay Lohan’s “Back To Me,” a song about shutting out negative energy and rediscovering self. It is a relatable message to Nick whose social media notoriety often invites criticism.
He uses his platform to show off his bodily accomplishments, yes, but it is also a place for him to release heavy matters that are weighing on his mind. Most significantly, his own mental health. “People with mental illness come in all shapes, sizes, and colors and I want to reach others who may be going through similar struggles,” he says.
“You can never really know what someone’s going through in their personal life or what’s going on in their head. Severe depression and anxiety is a hidden disease and I have found, the best way to fight it is to get it out in the open. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
We sat down to ask DJ Nick Stracener a few questions that we had on our minds:
How was it to have Lindsay Lohan herself reach out to you about your remix you did of her song “Back to Me”?
I was truly taken back! I did not expect that at all, but I’m so excited it did happen! It does make you feel good about the music you’ve made.
How have you been able to handle all that is being thrown at you right now in terms of fame and popularity within the music industry?
Honestly I just stay humble and remember that all of this could be taken from me in an instant. Never get a big head. Staying relevant in this industry means being good to your fans. I’m not the type of person to let a little fame get to my head. We all bleed the same.
Do you have any artist that you would like to meet in person one day?
Oh absolutely, Taylor Swift. I love how much of an entrepreneur she is on top of her amazing song writing abilities. She always writes catchy tunes. I think that she is really good to her fans from what I’ve always seen and that is very respectable.
What are your next big plans in the industry?
Well I am taking this time with no live events to focus on producing music. I want to produce my own song from scratch soon with a friend of mine. You guys will just have to stay tuned.
If you could tell your fans anything, what would that be?
First of all, thank you for listening to those hour long sets of mine! That really means so much to me because time is valuable. One’s time is the best gift they could ever give. The support of my fans is what makes this all a reality for me, because I couldn’t do it without them.
Follow Nick Stracener here:
https://www.instagram.com/thenickstracener
