After years working behind the scenes with some of the biggest artists in the game including Flume, Skrillex and Marshmello, 2020 has allowed Naderi to truly come into his own as an artist. He’s been dropping massive flips for some time, but with the release of the HOTBOX EP in October he truly showcased the depth of his immense talent. The 6 track offering spans a myriad of genres and sounds ranging from spacey future bass, raw trap, vibey future R&B, D&B, sultry house and everything in between. Diverse while remaining cohesive, the project showed us everything Naderi has to offer. With his breakout year drawing close to an end, we felt it only right to end it with a proper bang: a guest mix + interview us! The mix brings the energy and feels, balancing both for a high speed half hour that’ll transport you to the club in Sydney. As for the interview, we discuss what to expect from his live sets, his debut EP, collaborating with friends, slowing down time and much more.
Where are you taking us with this mix? Set the mood for the listeners.
I first started DJ’ing in a club called Chinese Laundry in Sydney and there is a certain energy that the main room begs for you to play and I just wanted to capture a 2021 version of that energy in this mix.
I wanted to flirt with the slightly darker side of sounds that I like. I don’t necessarily mean heavier sounds, but sounds that are definitely cooler and edgier overall.
Is the mix a good preview for what a Naderi live set/tour will be like in the future?
I play a bit more fun and party than this usually, but if I did a gig somewhere I’m familiar with and know the crowd are down to follow me into the rabbit hole it would end up something like this!
HOTBOX was a way for me to stand on my own two feet and also change the conversation about who I am, not just a producer but as an artist.
You recently dropped your debut EP Hotbox, congratulations on the release. What was the process like putting it together? What does the body of work represent to you?
HOTBOX was a way for me to stand on my own two feet and also change the conversation about who I am, not just a producer but as an artist.
The whole idea started with wanting to put a few cool songs out, but it evolved into an audio visual experience that I poured myself into and it’s made some waves which I’m riding!
The project moves between a wide range of genres, from house to future bass, DnB, trap and more. Did you consciously want to showcase your diversity or do you just get bored staying within one genre?
I wanted to break stereotypes and take risks. I don’t wanna ever play it safe.
I always freaked out over the fact that I was into making so many different types of music and instead of running from it, I now embrace that side of me.
I’ve got a bunch of side projects over the last year, I’ve made some hardcore skater punk, some serious rap music and another rock-based project. That’s just me.
You mentioned in our previous interview that collaborator Reo Cragun is a friend. How important is chemistry and establishing a relationship when collaborating with vocalists and other producers?
For me to really gel with a singer, I put myself out there and just let myself be vulnerable, and if they reciprocate, we can make serious magic because we trust each other and aren’t hiding behind ego or some industry image shit.
Just be yourself, if they fuck with you they do and if they don’t that’s cool, you know it wasn’t meant to be. I used to get hung up on that, now it makes me appreciate the tight homies even more.
If it’s your first time working with an artist do you have any tricks to help create that chemistry or connection?
Just be yourself, if they fuck with you they do and if they don’t that’s cool, you know it wasn’t meant to be. I used to get hung up on that, now it makes me appreciate the tight homies even more.
How important is melody within your work? What makes a great melody?
Melodies and words are what people remember about music more than anything especially long after they have forgotten how dope your kick drum sounded etc.. A great melody to me is one where, say you’re at a bar with your mates drinking and one of you says “hey you know that song that goes like..doo do dooo doo” and they straight away get it. All my melodies remind me of something from my past that I can’t ever pinpoint, some kind of nostalgia.
How do you keep producing fun?
Trying new stuff out and experimenting. All my best songs come from being a mad scientist in the studio and trying things with no expectations other than “hey I wonder what happens if I do…THIS!”
Often it’s the music I love more than the ones that I wrote where I was being deliberate.
Cooking, food, music and production have a LOT in common in terms of balance between artistry and craft.
You mentioned that time stops when you take your dog to the dog park that used to be a cemetery. Are there any other areas of your life where you experience this sensation? Is it a feeling you long for?
I feel time slows down when I’m eating a meal with friends. Cooking, food, music and production have a LOT in common in terms of balance between artistry and craft.
Back in October you tweeted you were “working on something really cool to help the Australian music scene.” Can you tell us a little bit about what you have coming?
I’m working on a small platform for Australian artists, it’s still under wraps and it’s something I’m in the middle of right now and hoping to get off the ground in 2021.
I was terrified of putting music out last year. I’m not sure why! But that version of me doesn’t exist anymore… Now I feel that the only person I need to impress is myself and my fans…and my dog.
You’ve said it’s important not to compare yourself to others but rather focus on improving on the previous version of yourself. How would you compare yourself now to last year? Have there been any specific areas where you’ve seen notable growth?
I was terrified of putting music out last year. I’m not sure why! But that version of me doesn’t exist anymore.
I’ve also stopped looking to others for validation. Before I would get excited if a bigger artist would fuck with my work, but still have a lot of self-doubt over the fact that I work with so many huge artists and whether or not my own music is as good as theirs. Now I feel that the only person I need to impress is myself and my fans…and my dog.
What should we expect from you in the future?
I spent a long time making an amazing Splice sample pack which comes out real soon. It’s really some of the best samples I’ve made and I use them in literally everything.
I’m also working on my second EP right now which will continue the story I was telling in the first EP and sonically leans into a more festival-friendly side of music that I love!
Tracklist
Heimanu – Atrea
Enjoii & luna.moon – losing my mind
Young Butter – Pull Up
PEEKABOO – Here with Me
Grimes & i_o – Violence
Naderi & Reo Cragun – Stardust
Jacknife & Totto – CULT
CARBIN – VOICES
ZHU & 24KGoldn – I Admit It
Noktar – Stomp
Alison Wonderland & Valentino Khan – Anything
JOYRYDE – ON FIRE
sadyouth – Got It All
i_o – Another Level
Naderi – HOTBOXINDAWIP
IMANU – Whatever It Takes
Slander & Svdden Death – Blood On Me
LICK & Slowpalace & Sara Skinner – DISAPPEAR
Hans Zimmer – S.T.A.Y. (Delta Heavy Tribute Liezex Edit)
