The Northern Ireland DJ and producer we all adore from televison’s Game Of Thrones reflects on life in the fast lane
Interview : Dan Prince
Hey Kristian welcome to DMCWORLD, where in the world are you right now?
“We are right in the middle of filming Season 4 of Game of Thrones, so as it’s filmed all over my home turf, it means I will be tethered to home for a few months now. I’m not complaining in the least!! I never thought I would get tired of traveling, but I’m not a good airport person at ALL, and planes don’t tend to fit me very well. If I didn’t love the work it brings, and the people I get to meet, I would shy away from so much movement.“
The world knows and love you for your character Hodor in Game Of Thrones, what a lot of people don’t know though is you have a true love for dance music, a DJ and producer back in Belfast. So let’s kick back to the late 90s when your DJing career began. What were the early tunes back in the day that first got you sucked into our wonderful dancefloor world?
“I remember many MANY years ago seeing Tony de Vit in a club here in Belfast, and from that moment I was hooked on dance music. Trance was very big here then…Space Brothers, Lange…things like that. I remember thinking BBE, seven days and 1 week, was the best thing ever. The DJ’s tended to play house as their warm up sets, and then move into trance for peaktime..and gradually I started to realise that I was enjoying the warm up more the main sets. Huge tunes like phats and small and Blockster started to filter through and from then I was hooked on house basslines. I will never forget and still love the sounds of artists such as Bini and Martini, Sunkids, OLD Bob Sinclar etc. – the old AM:PM label stuff.”
Where were the early clubs that saw you jumping around in?
“My first nights out here were all centred around the Limelight, which back then was more of an alternative venue, but they played an absolutely mental mix of music, which was great fun. I also remember some great nights in the Parliament, Thompsons (garage, then) and the Network!”
Many of our top flight DJs now wear ear plugs due to ear problems caused by thundering basslines in their work place. You though did all this in reverse, as a kid you had a number of issues with your hearing – you also studied sign language in your teens. This must have been an invaluable help in your role as Hodor?
“Yeah, My hearing issues, after a lot of hospital time, eventually got better, and now, I think I’ve ruined them again!! I can’t get used to wearing plugs at all! But, yes… knowing sign language, and the fact that I’m quite a demonstrably emotive person are hugely useful for Hodor. I’ve always had a knack for letting people know what i think with just a look or a gesture.”
You must be reveling in the recent emergence of the deep house scene, who are some of the producers you are giving high fives to in 2013?
“Loving Ben Westbeech’s current stuff, and Western Disco have come out with some superb stuff. I’m a massive fan of Inland Knights, and I’d like to see them riding the wave this year. Not deep house, but Monsieur Adi is one of my favourites, and I’m hoping for big things for him this year. It’s so nice to the the BPM coming down a few notches in general!”
I interviewed a certain big name DJ this week, something he said was kinda interesting…”I don’t think it’s necessary these days to actually be a good DJ like it was 15 years ago at the start of my career. These days you can get away with pressing play on a laptop.” Discuss…
“I’m not a massive fan of statements like that. I can understand where they are coming from, but I think the craft has evolved, and you can go with the flow, and learn the new techniques and technologies, or you can stand and cry over you 1210’s. Just to qualify, I learnt and used vinyl for years too, so I did my time hoofing hundreds of records everywhere. I still think the art of DJing is mostly song/track choice and the ability to read a crowd.. that hasn’t changed. I do think its still possible to challenge yourself, using software. If you feel the need to press play, then check your email, I’m sorry, you’re doing it wrong!!”
Another famous quote from producer extraordinaire Steve Mac… “It was different when I started out back in the day, there was no glamour side of travelling around the world, getting paid fortunes for gigs, it was all about the music. I think people get into it for all the wrong reasons today.” Thoughts on that?
“What Glamour?! lol – I never thought of DJing that way. When I was a kid, being so tall and fairly unique looking, I ended up being pretty shy. Music was how I learnt to express myself. Still to this day, on those special nights, I still feel every bassline I play emotionally, every vocal, every piano break. I want the crowd to feel how and what I am feeling. It’s a huge privilege to have an outlet to be able to do that. I agree. I think there are better reasons to be a DJ than fame and money.”
“It’s hard not to stab journalists in the face when they ask me if I have trouble remembering my lines.” Love that quote. You must be dying for a good chat when you hang up your costume at the end of the day…?
“HAHA, I really said that, didn’t I!!? I tend to just speak my mind, still to this day. It’s going to get me in trouble someday I’m sure. That is DEF the question I get asked most. I really DON’T mind, but just so long as people aren’t under the illusion that they are being original. lol! I never stop talking all day on set.. it’s just when the camera rolls that things start to get a bit quieter.“
You read for the part that Rory McCann eventually landed in the film Hot Fuzz. Could you have done a better job?
“That was the audition that got me the part in GoT all those years later! I remember I had been gigging in Belfast at an all nighter I ran, E-Horizon (subtle, eh?), and I got straight on a plane to London for a 9am audition. Talk about being Zonked. Rory was perfect for it…I don’t think there is any improvement needed. And it just goes to show, that there is no such thing as a bad audition.”
What would be your dream club gig?
“I would love to do some outdoor gigs… maybe in a forest/a desert or beach. I haven’t done anything like that I can remember. Club wise, I’ve always loved the Bat Cave feel of Fabric.”
Nice soundcloud you posted up in July…
https://soundcloud.com/kharmonix/kristian-nairn-mix-july-2013
…what has been your biggest tune of the summer?
“There has been so many. I’ve been hammering Russ Chimes – Turn Me Out for ages now, and I’m still loving it. Always love his stuff. I also believe that its impossible to do a bad version of that song with the amazing Vocal!”.
Best perk of being on the telly?
“It’s just nice that something I thoroughly enjoy doing seems to have gone down pretty well, and people can relate to on some level. I still get a buzz from meeting fans in real life.”
You have toured with the likes of Scissor Sisters and Calvin Harris – what has been your biggest rock n’ roll moment on the road?
“I played Bass at the time of the Scissor Sisters gigs, and I remember during sound check, in a massive arena, hearing my bass thunder out around this massive space. It was intoxicating. It was also my first experience of “backstage catering” haha. It was like a wonderland for me.”
You have produced for the Freemasons and Grant Nelson, which producer would you really like to get locked up in the studio with?
“Alan Braxe is one of my Heroes, and I would love to work with him someday. I love the French sound, and equally I’d kill to work with Mr Oizo. Also I think Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode) and I could come up with something interesting.”
You are a self confessed gadget freak. What is your latest favourite toy?
“I got a Native Instruments Traktor X1 mk II and Z1 for travelling, so I’ve been playing around with those recently. Normally I use a Pioneer DDJ-T1, but I’m thinking of changing to the new S4 actually.”
Where can we catch you spinning over the next few months?
“Until Christmas I’m fairly locked to my residency in Kremlin, Belfast during filming, although I do have a gig in Nashville I believe as part of GMX Convention. There is definitely some dates coming up after Christmas, although I just can’t confirm till shooting is done.”
What do your fellow cast members think of your music of choice, have they been down to see you DJ?
“I’m not sure what they think, but a LOT of them do come to see me play, and some are even regulars during filming. If their reaction is anything to go by, they seem to enjoy it!! I think they are surprised that I can actually DJ properly and am not a novelty act!!”
And finally, it’s your birthday. Who are the 3 DJs you invite to play at your gaff and who is the singer you ask to sing you Happy Birthday?
“That is such a hard choice. Firstly, Hervé…I’m a massive fan of everything he does…and I’ve never had the chance to see him live. Then definitely Grant Nelson. A total inspiration to me…and friend! He totally changed how I looked at DJing. Watching him effortlessly rock 4 CDJs is a joy to behold. And lastly…another inspiration and complete legend. Danny Tenaglia. Another pioneer… and I would love to hear one of his monster sets!”
