Introducing: Nicole Moudaber

Introducing: Nicole Moudaber

11 August, 2010 | 2.54AM

• Written by: Kornel Koch
• Filed under: Music News: introducing, nicole moudaber

Ibiza attracts all sorts of wanderers, so it’s only natural that Nicole Moudaber—born in Nigeria, raised there and then in Lebanon, and now a resident of London—would take to the White Isle as her second home.

The DJ that Carl Cox named “Most Underrated DJ of 2009” is surely earning her acclaim this summer. Not only has she held court on a weekly basis at Es Vive’s Church on Sunday; she played a three-hour set with Cox in the main room at Space back in July, and she’s gearing up for two more appearances there on August 31 and September 22. Fans in the UK can catch her at the South West Four open-air festival in London on August 28.

Just this week, Moudaber released her new EP, ‘Cacahuetes’, on Monique Musique, with two original tracks and a Tania Vulcano & Tato remix. Its percussive, almost tribal tech-house feel is even tougher than on her last single, ‘Avocado in My Belly’, nicely expanding on her penchant for diryt, low-slunk.

We asked Moudaber a few questions about where she’s been and where she’s going. Read on for the full interview.

Nicole Moudaber, ‘Cacahuetes’ [Monique Musique]

Can we talk a bit about your background? Your bio says that you grew up in Nigeria and Lebanon.

I was born in Nigeria and lived there for my adolescent years; my family still has businesses there. I then moved to Lebanon for a few years and then onto London for my University studies. Lagos, Nigeria—love it. It’s a jungle out there! Musically it is so rich, and amazing artists have come from there, like Fela Kuti and Sade to name but a few.

When and where did you discover electronic dance music? What was the house/techno scene like when you were living in Lebanon? Were there many clubs?

I discovered it in NYC actually, on the dancefloor at Twilo! But I introduced dance music to the Middle East; it was non-existent at the time. After many years of war, they had a lot of catching up to do—now there isn’t one DJ on the planet that hasn’t played Beirut City!

How did you start DJing and making music? Did you teach yourself, or did you have mentors?

I taught myself really; I love music, I live it and breathe it, it’s my passion in life. I was a promoter before I got into productions; I ran my nights for five years, a monthly club night called Soundworx at Turnmills in London. I have been exposed to great music all my life so it is a natural progression from there really. I always wanted to create music and convey that feeling I had in the clubs.

What is your studio setup like these days? Any preferred pieces of gear/software?

Ableton 8 and Logic 9.

How would you describe the music you make and the sets you play?

Driving, techy and dirty.

What’s your family’s reaction to your career and your music?

They would’ve loved to see me working in the UN or some investment bank! (Laughs). But they’re actually really supportive, they love to see me happy and that’s the most important thing to parents I suppose.

Did you know that Carl Cox was going to name you “Most Underrated DJ of 2009”?

I had no knowledge of it until a friend of mine pointed it out to me three weeks later! But I was really blown away by it when I found out; he pretty much exposed me to the world! Carl has been a great supporter of my work, and it had a major effect on my career.

You’ve got a ton of bookings in Ibiza this summer. How long have you been playing there/ what can you tell us about the Church on Sunday at Es Vive parties? Are you living on the island for the whole season?

Church is a weekly party. DJs come in and jam if they’re free on that night, and it has a great atmosphere in there, very intimate and underground. In terms of living I spend six months of the year in Ibiza, the rest in London.

Your bio says you regularly return to Beirut and Jordan to play. What’s the scene there like these days? What kind of tracks & sounds are people into?

Beirut yes, but not really Jordan, I have only played there twice. But Beirut is a 24-hour party city now; the people there love all kinds of dance music, from prog to techno. And this year it was dubbed as the number one city in Newsweek.

You’ve built your career the old fashioned way, with a lot of gigs and a lot of work. What advice would you give to anyone just starting out now?

My advice is to be consistent and persevere in the path you take. It’s the only way!

Finally… Your last single was called ‘Avocado in My Belly’. Do you have any good avocado recipes for us?

The story behind that title is quite funny actually. I had avocados that weren’t ripe enough, so I put them in the microwave for a couple of days, I put a sticker on to remind myself there’s an avocado in the there, and that’s how the title came about.

Unfortunately I can’t cook so won’t be able to give you any recipes!!I have only just learned how to boil an egg and to make a salad. [Laughs]

Nicole Moudaber on Beatport

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