Nicole Moudaber has fast become a hugely respected name in the techno and tech house scene. This DJ-turned-producer started out as a promoter in New York in the nineties, has worked in Beirut and London and has been a regular visitor on the White Isle for the past three years. Her experience in so many different music capitals and seeing the underground music scene from such different perspectives probably has something to do with her success. This year sees her really at the top of her game with an abundance of appearances across the island for the next few months.
Back for a third summer playing at Space with Carl Cox, this season Nicole will also be no stranger to the sulky lair that is the infamous main room in Amnesia, as Marco Carola joins the list of huge DJs who are keen to support and book her for the summer. The clunky, industrial surging sounds that you would normally look forward to in the main room fit her style really well.
I caught up with Nicole before her debut set at Music:On at Amnesia. She was playing the cheeky 2-4am set in the main room, taking the reins from the skilled hands of resident and artistic director Mar-T and treating the room to two hours of delicious no frills techno, preparing the room for Joseph Capriati. Sitting on a futuristic silver sofa backstage we chatted about MOOD Records, music versus ‘the performance' when DJing and how, potentially thanks to her, techno-hungry females are a fast-growing breed.
How do you prepare for each set you play? Do you plan out what tracks you're going to play or just go with the flow?
"I just go with the flow really, see what the floor's like. I normally tend to come half an hour before to see what the other DJs are playing or if the room is busy or not... Then try and adapt to that. Normally with a new club and with an important night for example I'd like to feel it out before I get on."
You're playing at Space and Amnesia this summer and also have your DRUMCODE free beach party on August 29th. Exciting stuff! All three venues are so different. Do you have a favourite style of venue you like to play in?
"In Ibiza I'm used to playing at Space because that's where it all started for me, on Carl's night. The first date I'm doing at Space is July 23rd and I'm closing the terrace, which is a different vibe than the main room. The set will be slightly ‘housier' than what I normally play. On the beach I tend to play different stuff. I'm organising a label party at Sands on August 7th. We've got Tenaglia, Just Be, Alan Fitzpatrick and other great DJ's coming, that's going to be amazing."
Is there a club or festival in the world that you haven't played yet that you really want to?
"Definitely Time Warp Festival [in Germany]. I think I'm doing that in December and I'm really looking forward to it! As a club I'd like to play more in Germany. I haven't been to Berlin and I've heard there's some amazing clubs there, so that's on the cards..."
You've just brought out your debut album ‘Believe' which is a great showcase of your work and what you're about. What was the driving force behind the album?
"The album was really a personal experience. In 2012 there were ups and downs and joy, hate, love, anger... So that's how the album came about. It was inspired by everything from art to people to relationships."
We interviewed Audiofly last week and they said they consciously book female DJs because they bring and attract crowds in a different way to males. Do you think that theory has any merit to it?
"Females bring different crowds? That's a first, never heard of that before! I don't think so. What I do notice is when I play harder techno I see more girls on my floor which is really good. Maybe I'm representing a certain attraction for girls to like techno nowadays, normally it's very male oriented."
You've only recently launched MOOD Records. How are you finding running your own label?
"Very creative. For me it's mostly a creative process rather than a money-making vehicle, joining with friends and artists that I respect and support, both newcomers and established."
Why did you feel like now was the time to start your own label, was it you felt you had the right experience or did something spark it?
"I used to run a vinyl label in the past with a partner of mine and that shut down. I think it was the time because I wasn't ready to run a label then. I was more focussing on my art, my production and my shows so I didn't really have time, but now I do. There's more to come!"
Any up-and-coming artists on your label that we should look out for especially?
"Yes! His name is Tom Peters, he's had releases on Kompact in Berlin and he's definitely one to watch! He's done a remix for me that will come out hopefully after the summer. He's so cool and deep and incredible. Every country I visit I ask who are the young up-and-coming producers and I try to hook up with them, try and find out what they're doing and things spiral from there, they come to me and I come to them."
You're booked for Music:On quite a few times this season, a night which aims to be ‘all about the music'. What's your opinion on the debate of the importance of the performance in DJing versus the music?
"For me it's always about the music - but if you can combine both, great! People pay money to come see you so they want both really. If you're a bit extroverted maybe you can give more of a performance. As long as you don't act too cheesy, throwing things around behind the decks! You don't have to stuff cake in your mouth or throw magnums of champagne about, we're not winning the Formula One here!"
You're such a huge achiever, you've done so many things over a short amount of time. What's left on your list? Any other worlds to conquer?
"Loads! I'd like to do a fashion line, obviously tour with the label, maybe have festival stages, do a worldwide radio show... I'm only just warming up!"
Thanks Nicole! Music:On never really has an official finish time. I actually brought breakfast with me in my bag for tomorrow morning because who knows how long were going to be here. Would you like a croissant? Because I've got two...
Nicole chose not to eat the croissant (which luckily meant more for me). I definitely needed them as I and the rest of the crowd danced to stomping techno for the next eight hours solid. Nicole is definitely going to be one to watch during 2013.
