DJ and producer Nina Kraviz is one of the most influential voices in the underground electronic world. There are hypnotic and sensuous qualities to all the music this Siberian makes: it stems from the way she works, using her voice as an instrument. Listen to deep, stripped back but emotionally resonant tracks like those that made up her self titled debut album and you will find it hard to disagree. Since the release of her DJ Kicks mix in 2014 – Nina has gone on to found her own label трип, a forward thinking record label for both the brain and body, where the music crosses boundaries and genres.
There sure is something in Nina’s music that stands it out from the crowd – an intimacy and honesty maybe, but always is it unique and creative. With Chicago house and Detroit techno being her first love, her hunger to dig deep into the archives of House & Techno balances all of her sets perfectly between now and then, introducing her fans to where this scene has come from and where it might be heading. This unique sound and uncompromising attitude has led to Kraviz becoming one of the most in demand artists in the world.
As Nina’s upcoming performance at Exit Festival is highly expected we are glad we had an opportunity to talk with her about her label and music and Nina also had a message for everyone who’ll be at Dance Arena this Sunday. Enjoy!
Hi Nina, I would like to thank you for your time! For starters, I want to ask you how are you feeling at the moment and where are you playing these days or weeks?
I am satisfied, thank you. I am at Montreux Jazz festival at the moment. It’s a pretty special one as it’s festival’s 50’th Anniversary. I played a great show last night and am staying one more day to go to PJ Harvey’s concert and hopefully introduce myself to Quincy Jones. Rumors have it he is arriving today..
Along with Bjarki, Blawan and Exos, you held a party in a cave in Iceland last year and this July you organised a party at a mysterious location. What do you like the most about parties in unusual places?
It’s rather unusual vibe that interests me the most. We just had an unbelievable trip party last week. This time it was a different cave, much bigger about 3 hours drive from Reykjavik. We organised buses, free drinks, soups and 240 bananas.
There was also a place for a bbq where people could cook their own food. It felt really special like nothing that I have ever experienced before. The line up was not announced and till the very last minute people didn’t even know where the bus is gonna take them and that its going to be such long journey.
Is there a wider idea or concept behind you трип label? Are there things that you want трип to change in music?
Trip is a place for unrefined, honest and effortless electronic music with a very human feel. Trip is not about a genre and bpm, and certainly not about a trend, it’s about a particular texture in music that is of course very subjective thing. There is always a spontaneous narrative behind each trip concept album that is giving it a direction sonically and visually. It’s almost like a normal album but all music belongs to different artists that most of the time don’t even know about each other. Plus all tracks are placed in a way that you can blend them into a continuous loop endless amount of times.
Недосказанность? Эмоция в музыке
Speaking of music is very неблагодарное дело. As it is a very subjective thing
Unpredictable
Speaking of трип, new concept album named “When I was 14” included wide specter of artist with great tracks. Could you tell us something about idea behind it?
It’s a about people’s perception of reality in general and particularly about criticism. That it is directly related to the level or growth, knowledge, self assurance and self improvement. That in the end it is important to grow and shape your own opinion, make your own mind.
Aphex Twin also signed track for “When I was 14”. Can we expect more of his material on upcoming releases of your label?
Let me ask Richard…
Beside authentic sound, трип is recognizable for artwork made by Tombo. What were the key parts of the conversation with him that inspired the artwork of the latest release?
Well Trip 006 was the latest release by the time you sent me those question. But as I am answering them only now last the latest one is already Bjarki’s first triple Ep “Б”:)
Coming back to #When I was 14# we were just talking about internet and it’s derivative function as a perfect place where self-righteous people feel like their opinion matters.
What in your opinion makes an artist great, besides talent and dedication?
Fearlessness or a dentist degree.
How do you see music? What does it represent to you?
Music is a sonic reflection of an artistic inner self *inner world. Some kind of emotional outburst.
What is techno to you?
Great historical and cultural phenomenon, a musical genre, animal instinct, communal feeling, no sugar added, abstract art form with no rules and absolute freedom of expression.
How would you describe your sound from an artistic point of view?
My sound is constantly evolving but I always liked music that sounds as if it was made as a result of a coincidence of unplanned creative sparkle. Such music is made for the right reason-no reason.
I like it when music isn’t too obvious but rather understated…
Do you have any vision or personal predictions about music evolving in the future and that its position in the world?
Like one of my Russian colleague Anton Kubikov once said “ B будущем музыка будет все также греметь”
“In Future Music will be booming as it normally booms” or something like this. In Russian it sounds really dope.
Are there any creative challenges that you are dealing with?
I have always been doing everything on my own and so the entire focus was on myself as an artist. Like the only child I was always a priority. Since I have started trip things have changed and I seem to be more focused on my artists and on establishing of the label than on my self.
What can we expect from you and трип in the future?
More awesome music.
You first performance at Exit Festival Dance Arena, our audience just can’t wait to hear you? Could you maybe send them a message? What kind of set can we expect?
Don’t forget to brush your teeth after each meal and use floss occasionally.
I have prepared some sick gabber dance floor fillers and a few favourite Phil Collins songs.
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