Following her groundbreaking party at Ushuaia in Ibiza with Danny Tenglia, Nicole Moudaber continues to blaze a path as one of the world's most exciting DJ/producers. She talks to us about the Tenaglia party, her recent 2 nights at Stereo Montreal, delivering a very special remix for Carl Cox and her appearance at Rock In Rio.
You’ve just put on a hit party with Danny Tenaglia at Ushuaia in Ibiza. What were your personal highlights from the event?
It was mega actually, from sound to lighting. We had a water projection in the pool - a screen of water 8M x 4M jetting out with surreal projections, incredible to see coupled with DT's music. The result was euphoric, I must admit. I’m still feeling it to this day.
Are you planning anything else like this for next summer or any other time?
Maybe :)
What did Danny feel about the party, the venue and playing classics outdoors in Ibiza?
He loved it. I thought Danny was going to simply play the old skool house that we all know, but to my surprise he actually prepared his entire set with his own edits (old house records plus modern beats) which is amazing. He did say he was playing a classic set ‘his way’ and he sure did. Very inspiring to say the least, the time he took to deliver those tunes especially for this party is quite unique.
You just played an unusual 2-nights in a row at Stereo in Montreal, how did it go and how did that idea come about?
I did and apparently no DJ has done 2 nights in a row at Stereo Montreal before! I initially got booked to play with The Martinez Brothers and the club also had Carl Cox booked for the following night. The promoters told me they couldn't find anyone that would fit to play before Carl and it was a coup I was in town that weekend. Carl asked for me to play with him and this is what happened. It was all last minute and it was just the best weekend in Montreal. People are still talking about it.
What did you do differently on each night?
I played very different sets on each night. House on the first night and techno with Carl.
Are you actively following Carl’s reputation to be equally as known for your house sets as your techno peak time ones, then?
If you say so. I love both sounds deeply and I feel them immensely. Carl is a great inspiration and has been for a long time. He perfects both genres and not all DJs can do that. I guess if you have the love for music you'll love anything and any genre. I played deep house at Ushuaia in Ibiza and the Miami pool parties back in March. It's a chance to play the records I listen to when I'm at home or driving.
What do you enjoy about playing the different styles of music, and what common threads runs through the music you play and make?
Both are very therapeutic for me. I just immerse myself completely in my groove and fly.
I don't drink when I'm playing – the music takes me to places I love to visit. Both styles are groove and percussive based, very sexy if I may say so. Even in my harder sets you'd still feel the funk.
Which of your recent tracks most sums up where your head is at musically at the moment?
I think Tears Of Civet / Watcha Playin', both on Intec and my forthcoming remix of Carl Cox new single ‘Chemistry’ out on 23rd September, also on Intec.
Tell us a bit more about how you approached that remix?
Carl sent me the original before the summer as he wanted me on board for the remix package. It was hard at the beginning to get a techno mix out of it as the original is a drum & bass track with full vocals. I lived with it for a few days and what really tickled me and caught my ears was the bassline. I have a weakness for basslines in any genre., so I took parts of it and looped them up. The result was exactly what i envisaged in that track. As for the vocal, i also chose the parts that i really felt, ‘crave the physical".
What have the early reactions been like?
It's without a doubt a BOMB on the dancefloor. DJ feedback on the promos was great and I can't wait for everyone to hear it. Carl emailed me the first time he heard it and said ‘this is the future sound of techno’. You can imagine how elated I was. This remix will be featured on Carl's USB album ‘All Roads Lead To The Dancefloor’ as part of the second phase of the release. And look out for a video he shot of me at Space Ibiza this summer, dropping it and having the whole place go mental.
What’s the most exciting experience you've had as a DJ this year?
My North American and Canadian shows. People were screaming with every record I dropped, every single one of them… and most of them were mine! You gotta love it.
Next stop Brazil - what are you looking forward to about your forthcoming appearance at Rock In Rio?
RIR happens every 10 years apparently so I’m so blessed to be part of this amazing festival. I haven't been to Rio before so it’s also a chance for me to experience some Latino flavours, which I know I’m going to love. Hot. I’ve got some techno they might like too…
