Nicole Moudaber Speaks on Her MOODRaw Tour, Working With Carl Cox, and DJing in America

Six years into her career as a techno DJ and producer, Nicole Moudaber is the sum total of a literal globe-trotting journey in both life and dance tha

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Six years into her career as a techno DJ and producer, Nicole Moudaber is the sum total of a literal globe-trotting journey in both life and dance that informs her sound with an energy and passion derived from the richness and fullness of exciting experiences. 2013 saw Moudaber release an artist album as well as announce the development of MOOD Records, her own imprint. Always a ground-breaker, the rising-to-superstar status artist was raised in Nigeria, moved to London for college, and while residing in Lebanon, was instrumental in bringing dance music to the Middle Eastern nation for the first time with her "Trashy Renaissance" party.

Speaking of parties, she returns to the United States after an incredible run at some of America's most beloved festivals in the modern age and brings her MOODRaw event to North America from October 30-November 15 with four dates in Montreal, Chicago, Los Angeles and Brooklyn. In our conversation, a number of subjects including the current tour, the creative process behind her current releases, her friendship/working relationship with techno legend Carl Cox, and thoughts about her evolution from partier to promoter to top-tier artist and more.

You're coming back to the US at an intriguing time in dance, where I feel like what was once commercial is starting to open up a door for more underground or more progressive sounds. Thoughts about being here while this evolution is happening?
It's great to hear that there's a shift happening at the moment, and I think that's because the kids are discovering the new sounds once they're able to go to clubs. With the tour that I'm doing, it's 18+ (for entry) which is an accomplishment as it means that kids can get exposed to this at an earlier age. Of course, I don't play commercial (dance), so a lot of people will come in and not know exactly what to expect.

You've played Coachella, EDC Las Vegas and Electric Zoo this year. That's impressive. How did you feel about how you were received at those events?
I love playing festivals. The stages I play at, the people know exactly what to expect, not only from me, but from the entire lineup that's playing on those stages. Every year (in the States), they get better and better.

The Whippin' I'm Dishin is your latest EP project. What went into the creative process behind developing the track, and as well in choosing remixers, too. There always feels like there's such a unique process involved?
I did the track last year. I was in a very tribal/tech mood, and I did the original. And then I invited two producers that I really respect, Gary Beck [who is techno-driven] and Robert Dietz [on the tech house scene]. I invited [Robert] to play my night at the In the Mood takeover at Output back in March. The EP is pretty awesome, it caters for the techno DJs, the house DJs, and the tech house DJs.

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The MoodRAW tour involves you playing sets in raw warehouse spaces. Is there any unique appeal to your days of being a partier in the club yourself that this relates to?
The most memorable experiences I had throughout were in warehouses. There were no fancy lasers, no production, just a raw black box area with an amazing soundsystem, music, and really low lights. Those are the best experiences that I had, and I want to do it again and let my crowd enjoy that kind of vibe that I dig. I'm hoping to transmit those euphoric moments while I'm over in the States.I hope that we will continue [these parties] furthermore.

There are spaces in America like Output in Brooklyn that are re-introducting black box spaces and intimate vibes into the scene. Thoughts about playing there and are there any clubs elsewhere that feel similar?
What stood out to me was the "no cameras, no distractions, just a big soundsystem [vibe]," and being at one with everybody. That was the Output experience. I see [Output] as being similar to Stereo Montreal, because I do those long sets, like 10 hours there, and that is quite the experience. I'm hoping that I can convey the same vibe [on the MoodRAW tour] in those raw spaces.

You mentioned 10-hour sets. What is your particular process behind putting together that type of set?
When I do my long sets, I try to warm myself up first, and warm up the people with me. I try to play the deeper records that I have, fill some vocals in, and then from there, I peak. It's a very creative process to tell that kind of story, but that's what I enjoy most, actually, is telling that story.

So, I'm aware that you, like many others in techno, are inspired by and have worked with Carl Cox. What was that process like, and what's it like having him in your creative circle?
Well, it's a funny story. We kept talking about a collaboration, and then a year later it happened. I saw him over dinner in Brooklyn, actually, before his show at Output. He said, "I have a bassline for you, let's start this collaboration." I said, "oh really?" He said, "There's one thing to it." I said, "What?" He said, "[The bassline] is only a four-second loop." And things spiraled from there. I did my first version, we swapped files, and he was away in Australia during that time, so we kept swapping files until we came up with this collaboration. To be honest, to work with someone of his caliber, that I've looked up to all my life–he's the reason I discovered techno–to have him not only pushing me and pushing my music, collaborating with me and putting it out on [my label] Mood Records, it's pretty fucking awesome. [Carl and I] are very close friends, we speak the same music language, we work together, we play together, we're very tight. It's a blessing to have a legend like him supporting me.

When did you decide that working in music was your passion and something you wanted to do for the rest of your life?
I was a promoter before becoming a producer and making music. I promoted so many parties. I started in Beirut and moved to London, where I did a monthly night for five consecutive years. I booked so many DJs, I was surrounded by music the whole time. Previous to that, I clubbed out all over the world, following the DJs and listening to the music, reading their music on the floor. It was that intense. My love for it dates way back. Making it is what I learned from all these people and what I heard all that time.

You've mentioned both reading the response to, and feeling the energy from records. What are some of the key recordings that you feel were the most inspirational for you and your career?
Alcatraz's "Give Me Luv" and Lil Louis' "French Kiss." Those were mega turning points for me. I just remixed [the Alcatraz record]! It fell in my lap and I finished it today. I can't wait to play it and see the people's reaction. Remixing a classic record like that is amazing for me. I have so many memories because of it. The original is so good, and so many people have tried to remix it. There are records that should stay as they are, so to remix [Alcatraz's "Give Me Luv"] was quite challenging. If you hear it, tell me what you think. Sharam (of Washington, DC area legends Deep Dish, Yoshitoshi Records and his own techno success) approached me and I hadn't been in the studio all summer, so I had fresh ears and a fresh approach. We'll see how people will react to that one!

As both a DJ and producer and being a progressive and groundbreaker in general, what, if any advice can you give to those who want to follow your path?
Whoever wants to do this kind of job and take that path has to follow their heart, their ears, their passion, and be dedicated. They have to decide that this is the path they want to take. Once you make the decision to do this passion of yours, then there's no turning back. You will end up doing it all your life.

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