UK tech-house originator Nathan Coles has died aged 52

Legendary tech-house DJ, producer, party promoter and label head Nathan Coles has died aged 52.

The news was announced yesterday (February 14) by his children Fabian and Josh via Coles’s Facebook page, which explained that he had been suffering from a “mental health crisis”, and subsequently led to him taking his own life.

In a statement, they wrote: “Sadly Nathan, our dad, had been dealing with a severe mental health crisis which culminated in him taking his own life on February 12, 2023 at the age of 52.”

“We are still in shock and can’t believe he is truly gone. But in reality, he never will be,” they continued.

“Through the many hundreds, if not thousands, of lives he has touched, he will live on in memory as one of the funniest, kindest characters to have graced this planet.

“We feel lucky to have known him for as long as we did, and if only a little, at ease knowing he is free from further anguish.

“We only ask that you spread the love like he always did and reach out to a loved one if you feel low. Your mental health needs the respect it deserves, as even with all the love in the world around you, it can be hard to see sometimes.”

Coles played an integral part in the development of the UK’s tech house sound in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He co-founded legendary parties Wiggle with Terry Francis and ‘Evil’ Eddie Richards, and Release alongside Mr C.

Tougher than Chicago or New York style house and groovier than four-to-the-floor techno, the sound exploded from the UK’s dance music underground and beyond, and Coles held down a long-running residency at fabric along with Francis and Richards.

Under various aliases including Two Right Wrongans, Housey Doingz, The Delinquents and his real name, Coles was responsible for producing a number of the nascent scene’s most lasting and iconic tracks.

Read Mixmag's 2014 feature on Wiggle and the birth of tech house here.

Tributes have been coming in for Coles, read a few below.

Samaritans is a charity that aims to help people suffering emotional distress. They are free to contact 24/7 from any UK or Irish phone by dialling 116 123. Head to samaritans.org for further details.

Isaac Muk is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow him on Twitter