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Introducing: nej!las

The last few months have been very busy for US based producer nej!las. With the release of her EP ‘Event Horizon’ she has taken steps to further present herself as the answer to all Techno fans questions. Her unique sound has encapsulated listeners, and she has a very bright future ahead. We caught up with her to learn a bit more about the person behind the name!

Hey! What’s going on in the world of nej!las?

Things have been pretty crazy recently! In the past 7 months, I’ve released 2 EPs and already have 2 more EPs ready to go for future releases! I’ve been honoured to have a track from each previously released EP break into the Beatport top 50 releases for Techno and Downtempo.

Where abouts are you based?

I was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada but am now currently in Detroit, Michigan – you have to love the Detroit Techno scene!

How long have you been working in the Dance music scene? And how did it all start?

A couple of years with electronic production – but my obsession with music began when I was really young! I picked up guitar at age 8, but got ‘bored’ of guitar years (and over 10,000 hours) later, once I felt I had a pretty good grasp on the different skills, like sweeping and different pitch harmonics. I needed more; I wanted to be able to produce and compose an entire song, with all the different elements, not just the melodic lead. That’s when I turned to digital audio workstations and entire song production.

Describe your sound in three words!

Dark, melodic, resonating.

Who were your influences as you got in to Dance music?

When I first started out, my influences, oddly, were mainly based in film compositions – basically anything Hans Zimmer or David Arnold have done. I was obsessed with their ability to completely compel a very emotional reaction from a listener, based solely on their music. I started tinkering with progressive electronic music, writing melodies that I strongly felt emotionally resonated with me. However, I didn’t feel this was ‘complete’ – there needed to be something more. The song and the synth-waves, by themselves, should be able to shake a person to their core, separately from the written notes and melodies – and then enter Techno, with roaring dark bases.

What have been your career highlights so far?

It’s been surreal to know the amount of outlets and radio shows that have already listened to, picked up, and reviewed/featured my music. The top would have to be from highly known outlets, like EDM Sauce, Global Techno Magazine, We Rave You and EDM Nations. KZTL Radio and CKIA FM have previously put my songs on rotation – which was such an amazing moment for me, as anyone will always remember the first time they heard their song on the radio.

What does this year hold for you?

As of now, I’m working on a remix of Attlas’ “Kayla”, along with some other original productions. I’m continuing to try and pave my own genre in music, combining Acid/Dark Techno with evolving progressive melodies.

I’m also working on a guest mix for Something Global Radio, which will premiere on Season 10, show 5, July 13th.

I’m also working on getting a couple of live shows set up!

What’s your ultimate career dream?

I think, as of now, at this very moment there is a new wave of “Techno” being completely re-defined and completely re-imagined. I would love to help and be part of this process and this (very new) movement. You can see it already began with artists like i_o who doesn’t produce traditional Techno at all, but is really taking hold and shaping a new type of modern Techno. I would love to be part of this re-definition and I think my new unreleased EP fits really well into this new movement.

Can you tell us about any upcoming releases and projects you’ve got lined up?

I have two different EPs already to go.

One is more traditional Techno/Tech-House which is always exciting.

The other… I don’t even know what to call it (in the best way possible). It’s Techno, but it’s also so much more. I’m being serious when I say there is a new Techno movement about to happen! This EP is the perfect showcase of that. I can’t wait to get it out there.

Do you have any artists with forthcoming releases you’re looking forward to hearing?

Not particular artists, but labels, which never disappoint. If you like the type of music I do, Drumcode is always a label to watch with their new releases; along with mau5trap (I believe Rezz has a new album finished, and No Mana has some unreleased music as well – both artists I can vouch for!)

Any plans for festival season?

I’m going to be out there, supporting a couple of my fellow producers.

Can you tell us something not many people know about you?

I lived in 9 different cities so far!

Anything to add or shout outs?

I welcome anyone to join nej!las’ dark and mysterious Techno journey…

nej!las Online

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ECrJdDjW8bYifLg0gE548
https://www.beatport.com/artist/nej%21las/645520
https://soundcloud.com/nejlasproducing
https://twitter.com/nejlasProducing
https://www.facebook.com/NejlasProducing/
https://www.instagram.com/nejlasproducing/
http://nejlas.com

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