2020 is starting well for Nandu: both his track ‘Gates to The Galaxy’ for Berlin based Innervisions highly acclaimed VA ‘Secret Weapons’ and his addition to the long lasting Keinemusik Podcast, all followed by great feedback and virtual high-fives flying around, its clearly that 2020 could be the breaking point for the Danish musician. Some magazines even put Nandu in their top 5 Newcomers recently. We had a quick chat with Nandu about his background and sound. Enjoy while listening to his set for Keinemusik.
WWD: Your sound has a very special vibe and recently got quite good support of top labels like Innervisons and Keinemusik. How did you got there? When did you start to produce music?
I started playing music as a kid. Started with the trumpet, and it went on from there. I started producing music approximately 11 years ago. I believe that in order to find your own “sound” or “vibe” you need to just make a hell lot of music. Which I did. My relationship with both Innervisions and the Keinemusik guys is something that has developed over the years. I was this annoying newcomer who send them demos every week for 4-5 years. At some point, they started to noticing me. For years, I’ve been struggling with impatience, but Rampa actually once told me once that I should just chill, that it would all come in time. So I just kept on working, and now it seems like the stone has finally started to roll.
WWD: Your song ‘Gates To The Galaxy’ has a very interesting Journey with some Trance and acid elements.Would you say that the sound of Nandu is unique, due to an innovative mix of different sub-genres?Whats your approach here?
When I produce music I barely think in genre. When I’m starting a track I sometimes have an idea, which most often changes the second I start. For me it is more a matter of vibe I think the track has. And I think that an approach that focuses on making music rather than “something that sounds like this big hit” is what makes it unique.
WWD – The set you have prepared for Keinemusik is full of your own original compositions, which are mostly not released. Do you have plans with these ones already?
The mix is a recording of a live-set performed in my living room. It differs from a dj set because it is played with loops, synthesisers, drum-machines and effects on the spot. This means that all tracks, which are my own productions, sounds different from the “original” tracks. I have some plans with most of them, but the only one I can tell you about right now is a remix I did for EdOne coming on Selador in March. It’s the track at minute 26 in my Keinemusik Podcast.
WWD – What is your biggest inspiration in your music. Any artist form any genre or time?
I would say that my biggest inspiration is music that is clearly produced/played/written with soul. You can easily hear if th ue idea is a copy or if it is something that comes from within. All these different subgenres that are popular for a half year and then over again are all the tale of one or a few tracks that is “real”. At the moment, there is a lot of electronic indie tunes out there. You are only able to feel a few of them, and to me it is clear who made this with soul and who did not. You can simply feel it if you know what I mean.
WWD – You are based in Copenhagen. What would you say about the electronic scene in Copenhagen?
The scene here is very small. We only have a few serious clubs. I can be fun to play here, and the crowd is mostly nice. But I actually prefer to play outside of Copenhagen.
WWD – How did this influenced your music and way of producing?
Copenhagen has been the best place for me to learn. Because the scene was small it didn’t become too hectic for me here, so I had time. I was working at the club Culture Box as a booker a few years ago, and at the same time I played there each month. Always as a support act for different headliners, and if I could give one advise for the newcomers, take these warmup gigs very seriously. It’s here you learn to play something that is not just the bangers, it’s here you become a real DJ.
WWD – Which is your favourite gadget at the moment?
At the moment I’m very fond of my TC Helicon Voice Touch 2. It’s a vocal processor and it is super powerful in harmonising melody, not only vocals but all kind of things.
WWD: Thanks for this interview and good luck for 2020.