Still loving the Nightlife

tems through the VCR. The result was the world’s first hi-fi stereo video jukebox, which was put into a pub in Brisbane.

The invention was a success and started to earn $500- $800 a week for the pair.

They then met Coast video DJ Michael Kilpatrick, who was playing nightclubs via the painfully slow process of loading up videos one at a time.

“He was a highly capable DJ, and when he saw what we had invented, he said ‘I can do this on the Gold Coast’,” Mr de Souza said. “He was a bold, brave fellow. His numberplate read ‘killer’.”

One of the first clubs to deploy the technology was Melbas in Surfers Paradise in 1991.

“We had a lot of success, within two months we had 18 systems in use on Cavill Ave,” Mr de Souza said.

Melbas remains a customer today, although the technology is different.

One of Nightlife’s main products, crowdDJ, lets punters pick their favourite music at venues using a free app or interactive in-venue kiosk.

However, Mr de Souza said the company, which employs 120 people in Brisbane, had not changed in 30 years.

“That is why we have been so successful,” he said.

“We consistently provide quality music to venues. What we are good at figuring out is what venues want to keep their punters happy.”

Nightlife’s latest success is striking a national deal to provide its services to TFE Hotels.

The company has 4000 clients across Australia and internationally.