A chat with... Nicole Moudaber

Now considered in the upper echelon of the ever evolving techno scene, Nicole Moudaber draws a crowd no matter where she goes. The undisputed Queen of Adam Beyer's infamous Drumcode imprint, her style encompasses everything that good techno should be - driving, thoughtful, melodic and dark. Ahead of her headline performance this Saturday at Egg London for our Christmas Special, we chatted to Nicole about how she became one of the most respected artists in the scene and what lies ahead in 2015.

When did you start DJing - and what or who were your early passions and influences?
 
I started DJing about four or five years ago. Initially I was just a music lover, obsessed with everything house and techno. One of my early passions has always been intensive clubbing and I chased parties around the world for many years, the music reaches deep levels in me.
 
I discovered the artist in me on the dance floor and it is then that I decided to make the music I love. I was blown away by DJs like Danny Tenaglia, Carl Cox, Laurent Garnier, Carl Craig and Sven Vath to name few.
 
My music influences originate from soul, funk, pop and R&B - it is only when I went to clubs and raves that I was pulled towards house and techno. The music I produce reflects a lot of soul even in the hardest edges of techno I put out there.
 
What do you personally consider to be the incisive moments in your artistic career?
 
Winning the dance music award in Miami (IDMA) in 2012 was a turning point in my career.  I established myself as a producer and consequently the performances rolled worldwide. 
 
What are currently your main challenges as a DJ? What is it about DJing, compared to, say, producing         your own music, that makes it interesting for you?

It’s and endless journey with DJing. Technology moves forward very fast and I’m always after new ways of performing and creating new sounds in order to be unique.
 
But at the end of the day DJing is about sharing music with everyone and music is about taste. Being out there on stage is a very extravert experience as opposed to producing in the studio whereby you’re alone with your thoughts, moods and feelings on that day. It’s a very personal and “private” experience.
 
I like both, as it’s very much like me in many ways, sometimes I just want to be alone to regroup my thoughts, get inspired and create and other times I just want to lash out.  
 
What is your favourite city to play in and why?

I don’t have one specific favourite unfortunately but I have amazing experiences from many cities around the world namely, New York, Montreal, Miami, Ibiza and Sofia to name a few ...
 
For you, How does a London gig compare to a gig in Ibiza?

They’re both my homes ! I feel safe ;)
 
What makes you decide to play a particular record during one of your sets? 

These moments cannot be planned, I go with my ears and my feelings at that particular time when I’m at one with my crowd.
 
Do you believe in the possibility of "reading an audience" – and how do you put it into practise?

I tend to feel their energy. It’s an intense connection especially when I play long sets, we sort of get into a trance all night
It almost feels like a hypnosis session. I feel they read me too and they get into my world and go along with me, so it’s a two way relationship
 
What do you have planned for 2015?

I will be launching a new project with Skin from Skunk Anansie as well doing more InTheMOOD parties around the world. I’m planning to be back in the studio in 2015, with more MoodRAW warehouse parties and a live radio broadcast worldwide.
 
I’m still deciding where the location will be for my first year anniversary. The show has been a great success so far and we are on almost 45 FM stations worldwide including, USA, Argentina, Germany, Holland, France to name a few


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Egg LDN Christmas Special
Saturday 20th December 2014
Egg London


Lineup: Nicole Moudaber, Tobi Neumann, Dana Ruh, Death on the Balcony, Jonny Cade, Neverdogs + more

Tickets: HERE