Christian Nielsen is a producer with 2015 in the palm of his hand. The Dane closed out 2014 with fan and dj favourite ”Do You Mind’ and kept form launching 2015 with a quality EP on Nick Curly and Gorge’s renowned 8bit Recordings. With releases forthcoming on Noir Music, Moon Harbour, Lapsus Music and more, you can be sure his reputation is only set to grow in the coming months. We caught up with him this week to find out all about the rise, his music schedule and upcoming appearance at Watergate. He’s also provided a little gift for WWD readers, a splendid 60 minute mix of all things house & tech. Enjoy!
WWD : Christian, thanks for joining us. You’ve had a hectic opening to 2015 to say the least! What has been on the schedule so far this week?
Christian : Thanks for having me. Yeah it’s been pretty hectic but still loads of fun and eventful. Well after “Do You Mind” on Play It Down, and “Need That Something” on 8bit things have really taken off. Gigs are lining up and remix requests are pouring in. I have to be honest and say that I wasn’t really ready for the workload, so the last couple of weeks have been about getting stuff organized, and trying to get a routine going so that I can take care of my family and the day job while balancing tracks, remixes and gigs. Funny enough, my new paper calendar has been the best buy this year – haha!
WWD : ‘Do You Mind’ was a fan and dj favourite last year. We have to ask, when you finished off the record did you think to yourself this one’s gonna be big?
Christian : I never start a track knowing where it’s going to take me – i just start with a feeling and an idea. I turn on the MacBook or iMac and start out on a groove and see where it takes me.
With “Do You Mind” I knew pretty early that it would get signed at some point or another. But no, I never thought it would be that big. My girlfriend on the other hand was 100% convinced. She went on and on about how ”HUGE” this was going to be and how it definately would go top 10… hmmm… Maybe I should start listening a bit more to her?
WWD : The remix pack is on the way shortly what can you tell us about that?
Christian : Yeah! It just came out yesterday – Mark Farina and Stefano Ritteri…. Need I say more?
WWD : You also returned to Nick Curly & Gorge’s 8bit this month with your Need That Something EP. How did you first come into contact with the label?
Christian : I’ve known Gorge for quite some time now through his old label Katchulli and played with him once so we’ve kept in contact since then via skype and developed a friendship. I released an EP on 8bit last year, and since then we’ve been talking about doing another one, and then ”Need that something” came through. To be honest this EP took a really long time to finish. Nick & Gorge know exactly what they want and what sound the they want for their label. I remember sending a track back and forth at least 8 times and just when I thought it was perfect they picked a different track for the EP. But in the end it was all worth it! Im super thankful and proud to be apart of the 8bit family.
WWD : You’re back playing Watergate soon, it’s really a legendary club. Do you take a specific approach to your sets there?
Christian : This is going to be my third time playing at Watergate with Jesse Rose and the crew so I’m super excited to be back. This club is something else! I’m definately going to bring some tracks with me based on my previous experiences there.
WWD : For those who’ve never been, how would you describe the Watergate atmosphere?
Christian : Watergate and Berlin is in general just an amazing place – the culture for electronic music is wonderful. I remember my first time playing at Watergate with Play It Down – the doors opened and 15 minutes later IT WAS PACKED. People were dancing and grooving from the get go way beyond the sunrise next morning. Thats Watergate for you right there.
WWD : Records wise, what have you got on the horizon?
Christian : Well currently I’m working the remixes. Just finshed remixes for Play It Down, Noir Music, Moon Harbour, Lapsus Music, Material and 2020vision, and currently working on remixes for Kling Klong, Lost Records and Glasgow Underground. I’m also working on new originals for Play It Down & 8bit. Maybe an album at some point? I dunno, let’s see what happens with that – haha!!!
WWD : Watergate aside, any upcoming dates where we can catch you?
Christian : Can’t really say much because some things are confirmed and some are not, but KB18 (Copenhagen), Watergate (Berlin), Dough House (Frankfurt) and Unter Freunden (Bern) is already confirmed. I will be going to WMC in march but again it’s all going to be on the facebook page and more info is to be announced as the gigs get confirmed. Thank you again for having me – Cheers!