We're so excited to continue our Brighton Mixtapes Series. Since the success of our beloved Berlin Mixtapes Series, which has featured awesome guests so far, we are on a mission to showcase more of the exciting talent that is right on our doorstep.
Next up we welcome the amazing Nadia, who grew up in sunny Algeria, where her interest in music became the foundation of her art. Inspired by local mythology, art and centuries worth of history, she applied those passionate calls of her ancestors and weaved them into the melodic sounds that made her a beacon amongst the local scene.
Over the last 15 years, since she embarked on her musical journey, she has crafted her DJ skills, with her style of DJing being influenced by legends such as Hernan Cattaneo, Guy J, Nick Warren, Sasha & Digweed to name a few. Not only that, Nadia regularly takes to the airwaves on NYC based station Frisky Radio with her show Tassili, which often charts in the global top 10, plus regular appearances on Saturo Sounds Radio.
Nadia has been based in the UK for the last few years, playing alongside great names such as Anthony Pappa, Kasper Koman, Budakid, Paul Hazendonk, Luke Brancaccio and Habischman, featuring at amazing events run by the likes of Modern Agenda, the Prog Lab, Progressive Astronaut, Solfest and Berlin-Brighton… all of this without forgetting her active contribution to the Algerian local scene.
Nadia has proven to be a huge crowd favourite at our events, and in our opinion one of the underground scene's most talented selectors. Let's find out more!
Hi Nadia, how are you and what have you been up to this week?
Hello Markus, thanks for having me on board! I’m just back from a few weeks spent away in Algeria catching up with friends and family!
How long have you been DJing?
18 years …. I bought my first set of turntables in April / May 2005.
What inspired you to start DJing?
Music has always been a big part of my life, I’ve been fascinated by dance music and rave culture ever since I was a young kid in the early 90s and way before I was old enough to get into clubs.
It wasn’t until a good few years after I was officially introduced to electronic dance music that I decided I wanted to become a DJ, long story cut short, it was after meeting and seeing Paul Van Dyk in 2002 when I was on summer holidays in Scotland (PVD was my hero at the time). That night (especially after being introduced to Paul Van Dyk and having a chat with him) made me realise how much I wanted to share the music I love with people and make them dance.
You currently have two radio shows, one on NYC based Frisky Radio and the other on Saturo Sounds Radio. Tell us more about your shows?
“Tassili” on Frisky Radio airs on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 4pm UK time and 'Nadia Presents' goes out on the 4th Sunday of each month also at 4pm UK time.
I love hosting both shows and I use the platforms for showcasing different promos I receive from labels and my latest favourite finds in music.
What sort of music can people expect?
My main sound lies in Progressive House, I play anything from deep, melodic house and techno, downtempo / organic house to the heavier, darker and energetic sounds.
The music I play must have a good balance of soul, emotion and groove in it, hypnotic and good to make you dance, equally depending on my mood or how I’m feeling, I also play Chill out, Lounge and Ambient music.
The Frisky Radio 'Tassili' often charts highly in the global Frisky Radio charts, landing frequently in the Top 10. What's the meaning behind the name Tassili?
I wanted the show to be a tribute to my Algerian roots and North African heritage.
Tassili or Tassili n’Ajjer (Plateau of Rivers) is a National Park in the Algerian Sahara Desert, located in a strange lunar landscape in the Southeast of Algeria, the site is famous for having one of the most important groupings of prehistoric cave art in the world.
You have a long-standing ambition to combine your music with your Algerian heritage as well as incorporating some ancient cave paintings. Tell us more about that. Yes having spent the last few weeks in Algeria, it was great to reconnect with my music friends and family out there and meet new artists. We spent some time developing some projects and ideas I've been working on for quite a while. I will share more details soon 😊
Where was your first gig and how did it go?
My first public performance was in Oran in Algeria in May 2009, I went from playing in my bedroom facing the wall to playing in front of 2500 people! I had panic attacks for weeks leading up to the event, my hands and legs were like jelly when I was performing, I thought I was going to collapse!
Where was your first gig in Brighton?
Does playing in an empty club for United We Stream Brighton during the first lockdown count?
Thinking about it...my first gig in Brighton was when I played in the same club “Zahara” for Berlin – Brighton in August 2021 just as the clubs were reopening after the lockdowns ...ahhh how times were different! It seems like a lifetime ago!
You have a very exciting gig coming up at the Arch in Brighton alongside Nick Warren and Denney (plus myself ;) ) - How excited are you? Very excited and I can’t believe it’s actually happening; Nick Warren has always been a lifelong hero of mine as for many of us... I just hope the nerves won’t get the better of me on the night! 😀
You have played for us and partied at Berlin-Brighton many times and hang out with the crew a lot. What is it about the night that is special to you?
The community and the friendships made over the years are very special to me, the vibe is always on point and everyone is there with a smile on their face. I always wonder why I missed this the first year I moved to the UK just over 5 years ago but I’m very glad I've made a great connection with the family now. I have played at the parties many times indeed (I almost feel like a resident 😀 ) thanks to you Markus!
Where's your favourite place to just kick back and chill in Brighton?
Brighton beach or a stroll on the seafront... this is where I chill, recalibrate and get some head space.
And equally, where's your favourite place to let loose?
Block Bar by day or evening and Waterbear during the night, I love that club and everything about it, the vibe, the Soundsystem and the familiar faces every time I go there.
Which other DJs or producers are you liking right now?
So many but my go to DJs for listening are Olga Misty and Clay Van Dijk. They never disappoint as the music is always on point, whether it's the story telling, the way the sets are structured, from the harmonics to their timing and the transitions are flawless. In addition to that, both are just genuinely lovely souls.
What are your go-to labels?
Oh so many! From the top of my head:
Yomo, Zero Tolerance, Lost & Found, The Soundgarden, Sudbeat, Balkan Connections, Onedotsixtwo, Or Two Strangers, INTU Music, Renaissance, Selador, Meanwhile, DP-6 Records, Balance Music, Proton Music, Lost Miracle, TRYBESof, ADID, Shanti Radio, 3rd Avenue, 3000 Grad, Dear Deer, Kitchen Recordings, Bevel Records, Arbor Recordings, Bedrock, LNOE, Tale & Tone, Plaisirs Sonores, Moments, Forensic Records, Particles, LAIKA Sounds, 64K Recordings, Prognosis, Big Bells records, Strange Town Recordings, Modern Agenda, Pro-B Tech records, SLC-6 Music, Replug, Mango Alley, Cocoon Recordings, The Purr, Do Not Sit On The Furniture Recordings... and many many many more!
You have compiled our latest Brighton Mixtapes Series Episode 017 - Tell us more about your mix.
I’ll let the music speak.
What else can we expect from you soon? What's next on the horizon for DJ gigs and where can people see you next?
April is quite a busy month, with playing at the Arch on Easter Sunday alongside your good self, Nick Warren and Denny, then heading to Manchester on April 22nd for the Arbor Recordings showcase where I’ll be headlining the night and then back to Brighton on April 29th for Berlin Presents Alex Stein playing alongside your good self again and Chemz. There’s also a live stream on April 30th (details will follow).
I’m looking forward to heading back to the lake district for the August bank holiday playing at Solfest again this summer. Some guest mixes in between and I’m super excited to be attending the Brighton Music Conference this year for the first time, really looking forward to hanging out with everyone during that week.
Exciting stuff! It's been an absolute pleasure as always talking with you Nadia. Next up here's the Quickfire Round:
Genre: Progressive House
Favourite Colour: Blue
What do you put on your chips? Salt and Vinegar
Apple or Android: Apple
Pioneer or Denon: Pioneer
Rekordbox or Serato: Rekordbox
Can you juggle?: I think so!
Weirdest/Coolest item of clothing: I can’t think of anything!
First record ever bought: I honestly can’t remember... I’ve always bought music in bulk be it tapes back in the day, CDs or records.
Favourite place to hang out in Brighton: On the beach
Best club: Waterbear
Where does the best roast: I still need to figure that out.
Best place for food in Brighton: Give me chips anytime any day... The Belgian Chips place!
Coffee or Tea: Coffeeeeeeeeeee please!
Favourite drink when you're out: Mojito
Favourite Track right now: Hyunji-A – A Simple Truth - Clubsonica
View on Seagulls: Noisy
Favourite seafood: Sardines
Favourite words: Wowaweewaaaa!
3 words to describe your mix: Enjoy the music
Tracklisting:
Ric Niels – Finding Myself [Bodai Remix] - Particles
Ric Niels – Reasons [Original Mix] - Particles
Andre Moret, Mariusso – Maiyat [Original Mix] - One Of A Kind
Mehmet Akar – Return of The Elephant [Original Mix] - Mango Alley
Erdi Irmak – Walls [Amahain Remix] - Proton Music
Jonny Burg – Modal [Ben Summers Remix] - Pro B Tech Music
Dmitry Molosh – Watercolor [Original Mix] - Proportions
Juan Deminicis – Holbox Sunsets [Original Mix] - Musique De Lune
Figueras – Walking in Circles [Diego Moreira Remix] - 3rd Avenue
Bondarev Dowden – Tranquility [Ruben Karapetyan Remix] - One Of A Kind
Omar Yasser – You and Me [Don Longton Remix] - Sounds and Frequencies Recordings