‘Nomad’ – the massive new tune from Dim Mak with that flute to die for
Interview : Dan Prince
Jiar welcome to DMCWORLD, where in the world are you right now?
“I’m in Sweden, on the train to Örebro for a meeting with the promoters of Campus 48H festival. I’m headlining the EDM stage with Tommy Trash this year.”
That’s cool. So, another incredible Ultra has just taken place in Miami, perhaps the best yet. And one of the tunes without a shadow of a doubt was your mighty ‘Nomad’ – it was everywhere man! Tell the history of the tune…we are loving the ‘nomadic’ similarity with your ancestry…
“Thanks! Yeah I’ve been getting super good support on this one. I never want my music to sound the same as what’s hot right now, but I still want it to be relevant to what’s going on. Since I’m of Kurdish decent and understand that music, I wanted to throw a hint of that world into what I do to make something fresh. So you have the middle eastern flute over western pop chords, then you got that big drop that fits perfectly in a festival set with todays big room sound without sounding like your regular big room track. I think it has that perfect balance of having a relevant sound and still stand out and have its own identity.”
What were some of your printable Miami highlights?
“Well it was my first time in Miami so the whole week was super fun. The spontaneous back 2 back sets and guest appearances are dope. One of my highlights was definitely when Steve Aoki and Dimitri Vegas where playing back to back and they played Nomad while I was backstage. They called me up on stage and next thing I know I’m standing in between them with a mic in my hand telling the crowd to jump! Same thing the next day, I was backstage at another show and ran into Carnage just before his set, he said he was going to play my tune “Rumble” and that he’d love for me to come out on stage during that track. Of course I did that. Rebecca & Fiona’s ballin’ ass luxury mansion private party at hibiscus island was also fun.”
Well let’s kick back for a moment and look back at one of the biggest musical childhoods I’ve ever read about. Your dad was a big sitar player we hear but it was the sound of hip hop that soon grabbed your attention…?
“Yeah we moved from Kurdistan to Sweden when I was six, so all I knew at that point was the middle eastern music my parents played, and I loved it. But pretty soon I discovered Snoop, Dre and Pac and that was it. I started making music and produced hip hop for years. But at the same time as I was active within the hip hop scene, I was blown away by acts like The Prodigy…I’ll never forget seeing the “No Good” video for the first time. I always loved dance music and produced house and stuff without releasing it, I listened to dudes like Armand Van Helden and I also loved the old school hardcore rave stuff. Over the years I made more and more dance music and less hip hop. It’s been a gradual transition. I still love hip hop though.”
What was behind the family move from Kurdistan to Sweden when you were young?
“War. They bombed our house so we had to flee.”
True or false : You broke your family’s home sound system when you were 11 by scratching too hard?
“Haha true. My mom specifically told me I was NOT allowed to scratch on the stereo vinyl player but I had seen it in so many videos and I was so fascinated by it. One day when I was home alone I scratched the shit out of it and of course the needle broke. My mom was not happy about it but I think she knew it was coming lol.”
So you were on holiday in Dubai when Steve Aoki sent you an e mail telling you he loved ‘Dance Motherfucker’ and wanted to sign it to Dim Mak. That must have been a major headfuck for you?!?!
“Yeah man! It’s like this; it doesn’t matter how good your music is, if no one knows who you are its hard to get the right people to listen. The big labels get so many demos that they don’t have time to listen to everything. And a lot of times they know your music is good but they don’t sign it if you do’nt have a big enough following that translates into a guaranteed amount of sales. This was at a point when a lot of labels didn’t answer my emails since my following wasn’t big enough. Out of nowhere I get a mail from Steve Aoki saying he loves the track and wants to work. How awesome is that?”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning…
“Here are 10 hot tracks in no particular order…
Jillionaire & Salvatore Ganacci feat Sanjin – Fresh
Botnek & 3lau – Vikings
Blasterjaxx – Miami (Garmiani 2014 Edit)
Yves La Rock vs R3hab, Nervo & Ummet Özcan – Zookey Revolution (Garmiani Miami Mashup)
Garmiani – Nomad vs Skrillex & Damian “Jr Gong” Marley – Make it Bun Dem
Steve Aoki, Diplo & Deorro – Freak
Deorro & Zoofunktion – Hype (Garmiani Remix)
Ivan Gough & Jebu – Noxu
Martin Garrix – Proxy
Snails & Botnek – KRMT
I read an interview with you recently and have to say congratulations, you are the first Swedish producer to actually answer the question as to why Sweden has such great producers : “the weather is so bad and boring we just stay nice and warm in the studio making music.” Who are some of the young Swedish producers we should be keeping an eye for in 2014?
“Yeah us and the Dutch guys are killing it. As for Swedes, I’d say Salvatore Ganacci is the new kid to watch out for. Pelari are doing some good stuff as well, they have a great sound. This other guy Kaaze got a great track coming out on Musical Freedom. There are talented kids popping up everywhere man, I love it.”
What can you tell us about your ‘brother’ Salvatore Ganacci…you’ve been shouting out about him recently…
“I call him my brother cuz i see him as a brother. We live together, we share a studio and we’re involved in each others stuff all the time. We’re like a two man crew. He started out as my protegé, I was the master and he was the student. Now we’re on the same level and any day now I will be asking him for tips and advice. The kid is just brilliant and he’s always working hard. Watch out for his first big single called “Fresh” with Jillionaire from Major Lazer and Sanjin. Dropping asap on Universal…”
You admit you listen to a lot of new music for inspiration…who are some of the artists you’ve been checking out recently…?
“It’s always hard to mention names, but here are some dudes that are currently killing it for me; Deorro, DVBBS, Congorock, Botnek, Rick Ross, Kanye West, Major Lazer, Skrillex, Labyrint (Swedish hip hop), DJ Snake”
Steve Aoki is heading to Pacha in Ibiza this summer for a Wednesday residency…will you be joining him?
“Fuck yeah! I’m going to fuck that nightclub in the ear!”
True or false : Whilst DJing you once saw a couple having sex on the dancefloor?
“True! The security guys were shocked. While they were throwing the couple out of the club they were looking at each other like wtf?”
What is the 1 festival you are really looking forward to this year?
“I’m looking forward to playing at Airbeat One festival in Germany this year. The line up is sick, they got Ingrosso, Tiesto, Nicky Romero, Steve Aoki, Deorro, Ummet Özcan etc.”
What is the song that…
Reminds you of your childhood?
“2Pac – Can’t C Me.”
Reminds you of an ex-partner?
“Prince – Purple Rain.”
Always gets you dancing like a lunatic?
“Borgore, Waka Flocka Flame & Paige – Wild Out
And finally, what is coming out next from you studio wise?
“Some big collabs I cant speak of yet. Keep an eye on my socials!”
