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BIO: Nick Hayes, aka The Last DJ, hails from Wakefield, Yorkshire, in the United Kingdom. A retiree from a career in the auto industry, he is now a passionate techno producer and DJ. Nick has crafted a unique signature sound using the Elektron Syntakt, which is a compact drum machine & synthesizer, and a notepad.

At 67 years old, he occasionally jokes, “People say I’m too old for this,” but his music proves otherwise. For Nick, music is pure expression; there are no age limits or boundaries. It’s all about creativity, and he’s not interested in following the mainstream. Instead, he pushes the limits.

What truly sets Nick apart is his live performance style. Unlike many DJs who rely on pre-made playsets, Nick plays his instruments live. You can watch him triggering drum beats, synthesizer melodies, and more in real time. His live production and performance videos on social media have earned him a massive following of over 360,000 fans and counting.

His trademark phrase, “I’m not afraid of breaking the rules,” has inspired producers and DJs of all ages to pursue their passion for music, regardless of what others think. Just do it. Today! Nick joins UEDM for an exclusive interview.

What’s the story behind your artist name, “The Last DJ? “

This is not what it seems: 30 years ago, I started writing books because I was a bored travelling salesman and came up with the idea of writing a book about DJs being banned from the world, which was going to be called The Last DJ.

What did you do to get over 300k followers on social media?

About two years ago, one of my videos went viral on social media with over 6 million views. I was not going to post the video, but a friend suggested that I should appear in the music videos I created.

What is your music & DJ background?

Not really anything specific. I wanted a hobby to enjoy in retirement, so I bought some DJ decks and started mixing. I was a terrible DJ at first, but then I tried making music and really loved it.

How long have you been in the music scene?

Only about a year, and played live in November 2024.

What first got you into producing electronic music?

I was a terrible DJ, but I found my enjoyment came from mixing samples.
I needed a hobby for retirement, and also working away selling car brake pads.

Why EDM?
I have always loved both EDM and Techno for their high-energy music.

What Genre do you produce? 

Techno and Hard Techno.

Why this Genre and what’s the BPM?

Techno is my life and love, the energy and distraction it brings when relaxing, and the BPM of 148 is great for the dance floor.

What's the mood of your music?

Consistently high energy, get up and dance!

Who or what were your biggest musical influences growing up?

Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren, John Digweed - Before that, Tina Turner and A-HA.

How would you describe your sound to someone hearing you for the first time? Loud, high-energy, and mood-changing beats to get you dancing and tapping your feet.

What’s your go-to DAW

None but in the past used Serato Studio and FL Studio, now everything is Hardware.

Why do you like using the Elektron Syntakt?

It can do anything you want, pushes the boundaries of what any synth can do, and is great for playing live music.

How did you learn about this hardware?

One word, YouTube - it’s all you need.

Do you start a song? With the melody, the drums, or the bassline when building a track?

I always look for a new sound, a dirty bass that always helps me start tracks. The sound has to be fit for the dance floor and draw you into dancing. 

We see you with your music hardware and a notepad. What do you use your notepad for?

This is the play order, as I never play the sound patterns in the correct order, so I have to write them down. This also helps me remember to add effects on specific beats.

How do you approach making kick drums and bass stand out in your songs?

I try to create a sound I like first, which would be great in clubs to dance to.
The sound has to compete with so much music out there; it has to be innovative and grab your attention. I love putting reverb on drums and distortion on guitars.

What’s one production tip you wish you'd known when you first started producing music?

Forget about all the technology and jargon, concentrate on the end result
And ignore 50% of the advice you are given.

How do you decide when a track is “finished”?

Every track has 3 days to live. If it's not finished by then, I'll delete the music.
I cannot waste time on poor tracks and move to the next one as quickly as I can.
What music production advice can you give someone who just started making  EDM tracks?

Always start with a sampler or hardware sampler like Serato Studio. You can rent it per month, and that’s how I started.

What inspires your sound — nightlife, emotions, visuals, or something else?

I listen to music for three hours a day on the internet, and that drives me to make music input, which equals output when making music.

Are there any genres or artists outside of EDM that influence your style?

I went through a stage of listening to Classical music, but I also love Bob Dylan

What do you want people to feel when they listen to your music?

I want people to be happy and distracted by my music, and I want them to have a feel-good factor, forget their problems, and start thinking positive thoughts.

Yes, mainly on Facebook and Instagram, telling me I am too old and to give up
But that inspires me to make more music. (UEDM calls them Haters & Jealous!)

Is age an issue underground EDM artists have to worry about?

Never its ageless, and I now know I am not the oldest person -  age brings wisdom and experience.

How do you feel about the current underground EDM scene?

In the UK, it’s struggling due to a Lack of finance, and I will play events for free to support the industry. However, in Europe, it’s a fantastic place to be an EDM artist.

What’s the biggest challenge for underground artists today?

Lack of money and finance, and getting paid.  DJs should not play for nothing
But it appears to be the norm in the industry.

What do you think about using AI in music? 

To replace artists or DJs? No, but we cannot stop their influence.
I have been approached many times to demonstrate AI and have refused
I found out last week AI is used to create Playlists on radios and this shocked me.

Are you concerned with artists who use AI in music production?

I don't use AI. I wish that artists wouldn’t use AI.

Where do you see your sound going in the next year or two?

I may add another synth to create harder and darker sounds, but I want all my music to be fresh and new, whatever hardware I use.
Any upcoming releases, collaborations, or shows you’re excited about?

Very Excited about the London Jazz Club gig and The BOT in Belfast in January
2026, as these are iconic venues. My next track release in December is called ‘DARK written for the Dance floor.

Where can I find your music?

All streaming services, Artist Name Nick Hayes, and also Bandcamp and YouTube.

Tell us about 2 or 3 recent tracks or albums?

I always enjoy releasing singles, and they can be easily added to playlists.
My last release is called “Boop” and is slower and more melodic, and I played it at an event in Leeds called ADSR, and the response was release this track, please.
My next release, “DARK,” is a heavy techno track, just for the dance floor.  I also released a track called Cheese that I hadn't planned to release, but it was picked up by a well-known Dance DJ this year, which led me to get it out there.