Volunteer Spotlight: NJ Strange, AKA Nick!
“Music brings joy, is healing, and can bring people together. Education and art can help others see past their limitations. If I can help others through education or music to experience joy and healing or to help others to progress or heal, I can’t think of anything better than to help people and make them happy.” – NJ Strange
NJ Strange’s reputation as the loveliest of guys precedes him, so it came as no surprise that when we were looking for Brighton and Hove-based DJs to play a Set for Love, he stepped in to join us on our mission, becoming an integral part of the events and fundraising team for two Brighton and Hove Set for Love parties.
Taking his commitment to LNADJ to the next level, Nick joined Joey Heasman and Ellie Talebian this year to deliver our Get Equipped project at a local special education needs school. The project aims to help build confidence, elevate the positive profile of special education needs schools, and provide a safe space to learn while encouraging self-discovery, stress relief, and emotional release through the power of music and art.
We caught up with Nick to find out why he stepped up to join us on our mission to change lives and save lives…
Can you tell us about one record that changed or saved your life?
“Seeing Darryl Pandy Perform live at 17 blew my mind and showed me how powerfully moving music and vocals could be. I guess from that point on, I was hooked on House Music.
As for music which saved my life – a few years ago, I was going through a very dark and depressing time; I had done a remix for a record label, the theme name was Angels, and the vocalist who had written the track had such a powerful voice combined with moving lyrics.
I dedicated this track to my Big sister, who tragically died from a significant seizure. When I was low, I’d think how she wouldn’t take any s*** and faced multiple challenges, bullying, name-calling, and life-threatening illness daily. My sister was quite tough and resilient, so I found strength in thinking of her. My memories of my sister, inspired by the vocals/track, helped me pull myself up when I was really low.”
Why did you get involved with LNADJ in the first place?
“Growing up, I lived in a deprived area with few opportunities and also had a poor education. I skipped school a lot as I didn’t always get it, I think, because of possibly being neuro-divergent.
Through financial funding and support, I was able to go back into education at the age of 24, which led me to get an HND/Degree and a master’s Degree in Digital Media Production. I then fell into various teaching roles, working with diverse groups.
From my self-taught journey of re-learning and overcoming barriers to education and getting switched on to art, music, creativity and technology, this is what drives me to help others do the same.”
Why is giving back important to you?
“I’ve been very fortunate to have helped a number of Young accompanied asylum seekers get an education and allow them to integrate with other young people so they can be normal kids and not be defined by their past, so ultimately they can move forward.
Also, I have seen young people from similar backgrounds to myself get switched on to art and music and then go to further education to uplift themselves, overcome their own barriers to education, and ultimately find their own creative passions. None of this would have been possible without funding.
What LNADJ does resonates with my development journey and experience of helping others through music, creativity and technology. It is important to have a support network that can help others achieve their goals and dreams and overcome any barriers. Naturally, raising funds for the organisation to achieve their goals is crucial, and it’s something I’m happy to help with in any way I can to attain those goals and aims.”
Through volunteering, you have assisted in organising events for us and have delivered our pioneering project, Get Equipped. Do you feel a personal connection to this project?
“I find joy in being creative, and I’ve realised music is my personal therapy. It has helped me and still helps me with my own challenges and health. And if I can help others to uplift themselves, overcome some challenges, or even just experience the joy of what creativity and music can do and the release it can bring, I’m more than happy to help others find that.”
The Get Equipped project emphasises the significance of music education and the arts as avenues for emotional expression, creativity, opportunities, and the wellbeing of children and young people. Could you share your experience with music and offer any guidance to a young individual aspiring to enter the music industry?
“I would advise finding out what you love doing and what switches you on, then finding others who like the same things. Don’t give up learning. It’s easier today with so many online resources than it was for me and my own life long and pre-internet journey. Still, the passion for the music and the desire to create something I could dance to that sounded like the music I buy has always driven me, and if anyone else likes it and dances to it then that’s a bonus. learning to mix was all about perseverance and not giving up.”
From all of us at LNADJ, Big Love to Nick for stepping up to join us on our mission to change lives and save lives; we cannot wait to follow your journey and learn about your impact on the young people we support.
If you’d like to learn more about Get Equipped, head here.
Thank you, and as always, Big Love
Team LNADJ x
