The embodiment of passion, spontaneity and innovation, Noir has carved the roots of the underground house and techno scene since his emergence in 2004. In a time of electronic music saturation, his refusal to settle for mediocracy has pivoted his name to a reign amongst the international music scene. Passion informs his practice; heart is the power behind his creativity, he is soulfully dynamic, zealous and above all, dedicated to the community of music. Powerful performances that amass bass driven movement with energetic highs, that resonate with each heart in the crowd. NOIR has an implicit ability to craft music that channels raw, emotive and dark songs that exude a level of sophisticated house and techno production.
Drawing early inspiration from the dark, lyrical and organic hallmarks of musicians such as The Cure, Depeche Mode, Massive Attack and New Order, Noir continues to expand and redefine electronic music through his unique blending of genres, evidenced in his vast productions. As a master of production, Noir individually nurtures each of his creations from concept to execution; each of his performances are unique with individually crafted sets fuelled by the energy in the room and what he is feeling in that very moment.
Pioneer of underground electronic music and an undeniable forecaster, Noir is an industry leader and curator through his multifaceted approach to the industry. He is the owner of successful music labels, Noir Music, NM2, Lovesine and Klimaks Records which were formed to house his ever so variant taste and create a platform for stars to be seen and heard in the musical landscape, producing over 300 releases in the past 10 years, and held multiple top ten spots on the RA and Beatport charts. He is the founder of the Darkstars, event brand and hosts globally acclaimed podcast, Noir Recommends; the latter which has amassed a cult following and propelled some of the biggest names in the house and techno scene. This long-standing podcast has built a community of music enthusiasts all over the globe and become a catalyst to launch top charting hits from both leading DJ’s and the rising stars of tomorrow.
Noir has been travelling the world for the past 10 years playing almost everywhere including coveted residencies across multiple venues in the electronic music mecca Ibiza, Noir is a reigning leader in both the favourable underground and international circuits, further cementing his position as a world class producer and performer.
WWD: Hey Noir, thanks for talking with us! What’s good and bad in your world right now?
Hey When We Dip, thanks a lot for talking with me.
In my world right now. The Bad: The lockdown has taken away a big chunk of my income and life which came from touring. The Good: It made me stop, think, feel. Both has impacted me to appreciate what I have much more and made me focus on what’s really important in life.
WWD: How have the last three months been? What have you missed most about pre-covid life?
100% DJing, playing music in front of a crowd and sharing the great vibes around the world. It’s been hard without it. It’s been frustrating not knowing when things will get back to normal. Not knowing what your life will be like without income from touring.
WWD: Have you found it as easy to be inspired to make music without the interactions in the club?
Because of the frustrations and the emotions of not being able to interact with others it has led to lots of creativity for me. I am the most creative when I “feel”, so these crazy times, this whole year has only had a positive impact on my workflow in the studio. It flows right out of me and……. I also now have the time to finish it.
WWD: How has the Noir sound evolved over the years- both you personally and the label? What determines that evolution?
It’s hard to describe really. I just followed my ears and my heart. I have produced from deep house / electronica too hard industrial techno. Noir Music has released the same wide range of genres. I am blessed that I have the ability to produce the kind of music that feels right at the moment and that’s what I have done. Over the years I have learned to make it represent more of me and less of what is “expected”. That can be really hard when you are on top of the charts. (both as label and artist) So to sum it up. Everything is more NOIR now than ever before and I feel closer attached to my own music as well as the music being released on the label. For the same reasons I don’t sign as much music as I used to.
WWD: You have gone back to techno recently – why is that? How do you feel about people who say it is a genre co-opted by white pope without due respect for the black originators?
It doesn’t feel like I went back to techno. It was always there. In my DJ sets and in what I released. There was a period of time when the more “deep-housey” stuff I made got more attention and became popular, but it didn’t stop me from playing techno in my DJ sets and I still produced, released and signed techno as well. I have become more focused on being ME, being NOIR which seems to be leaning much more towards techno than it would have 10 years ago.
Techno music has no colour.
The creators and pioneers are legends today.
I don’t know anyone (or have heard of anyone) who doesn’t respect to the creators of the music we love.
WWD: What is your take on techno, what are the key elements – the machine soul, the minimalism, the darkness, what aspect appeals most?
There are no key elements. It’s a feeling, a state of mind, a vibe. A dance between man and machine. That’s why a lot of techno is created analog, created live, created in the moment.
WWD: What state is the Danish scene in? Is it or was it a thriving underground?
As we are only 5 million people in the country the underground scene has never been big in DK. I do feel that the scene that is here is very dedicated and back when I did parties and had residencies here it was also a loyal scene, a family. I have always enjoyed playing “home” but being a promoter, club owner in the underground industry can be tough business in Denmark.
WWD: Tell us some top clubs, bars, record shops to check for anyone who might eventually be able t make it out there.
The pop up parties and events are the best imo. Do check out Culture Box in Copenhagen. Walk the streets to find the smaller “unknown” record stores and 2nd hand shops to get the biggest surprises 😉
WWD: Tell us about your latest EP, what inspired it, how long it took and so on?
Pneuma was created during the lockdown. It has all the frustration, uncertainty, desperation in there. Wrapped in heavy beats, noisy instruments and a quite aggressive feel… this was the motions that flooded out of me during the lockdown. All 3 versions were finished at the same time.
WWD: What else have you got coming up?
Besides the harder and heavier stuff as Noir I also created “lighter” and more melodic bits as “RAL7016” and “MESM”. RAL7016 is out now digital + vinyl. MESM will be released in September. I am working on and almost finished with a song featuring RBBTS on vocals. I don’t know yet if that will be a Noir release or under another name. I have also finished a couple of tracks that I plan to only release on vinyl. And then the next Noir tracks/release is already shaping up nicely.