Nico Stojan calls himself a global citizen, which is a very apt description for this Berlin-native who is known for his residency at the city’s infamous Bar 25. He has a real lust for life which translates into his music and DJ sets, making it hard for any punter to not be moved by his performances or music. He is part of a very unique group of DJs who can be booked for the bigger festivals alongside the smaller outdoor events too, his sound very much suited for any occasion. His recent album ‘Twisted Manners’ showed his diversity with a selection of tracks that was organic and warm sounding, and really showcased his studio prowess. For his Balance Selections podcast Stojan has delivered one of the series’ more deeper excursions to date – and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate podcast number 25.
Balance Selections Q+A
Name:
Nico Stojan
Location:
Berlin, Germany
Alias/Producer name:
Nico Stojan
Facebook:
facebook.com/nico.stojan.music
Soundcloud:
soundcloud.com/nicostojan
Labels affiliated with:
Ouïe, URSL
My last 3 releases:
Call of the Valley EP w/ Acid Pauli [Ouïe]
Blue Hour EP [URSL]
Twisted Manners Album [URSL]
What music did you listen too as a child?
The music that resonated with me the most when I was young was from Michael Jackson and Tina Turner. Sometimes I would listen through a bunch of my parents’ records and I remember the Dire Straits records really stood out to me. Outside of the music I listened to, my parents forced me to play the flute starting at 5. The flute is an instrument that is light and humble, so after 3 years I moved onto the clarinet, which struck me as something a little more powerful. Then I moved onto playing the saxophone which was the last instrument before moving onto turntables and drum machines.
When was the first time that you realized that you liked electronic music?
In my early 20’s, I was wrapped up into hip-hop, funk, jazz, and soul music, but the first electronic music that really captured my attention was Trentemøller’s Last Resort and Kruder and Dorfmeister. Both these artists changed my entire musical life. Through their music, I heard a deepness, spaciousness, and power in music that opened my ears to this kind of music that’s balanced with both grooves and harmonies.
When was the first time you saw a DJ in a club?
The first DJ I saw perform was the famous DJ Babu, a hip hop artist, in Berlin. He was playing great music and doing turntablism which taught me that a turntable is more than a music player – it’s actually an instrument. That was the moment I threw away my flute and clarinet.
Which producers/artists/acts inspire you?
Many of my most inspiring producers are from the hiphop world: DJ Premiere and Dr Dre at first, and later on Timbaland. Outside of hip hop, Quincy Jones is a huge influence – you’ll hear samples of his work in my own records. As a DJ, Laurent Garnier is my #1. I heard Acid Pauli DJ for the first time 10 years ago, and he still blows my mind to this day.
What was the last album that you downloaded/bought?
I just bought the new Radiohead album and as expected, amazing music. I also bought a few albums from Tajima Hal, this amazing Japanese hip hop producer I just found on bandcamp. Honestly, this is the best music to have sex to. Try it out!
What is your current production and DJ set up like?
As a DJ, I play off Serato. I still hold onto my hip hop roots as I sometimes enjoy scratching in the first kick drum or teasing the sounds of the next track mixed in. In the studio, I love playing with the Juno 60 and the Jupiter 4. I enjoy music that pulls from different genres so I really love sampling because I can take the old sounds and feelings that already exist, then use my own drum and synth sounds to blend them together in something that’s new, yet familiar.
What releases do you have on the horizon?
I just launched my label with Acid Pauli called Ouïe, and the first release is a collaboration EP called Call of the Valley. We will also release music from Oceanvs Orientalis and NU on the label as well. I also have a remix of Brian Cid coming up on Atish’s new label Manjumasi.
Where can we hear you perform?
After a few upcoming Europe dates, I’ll be doing a US tour starting with Burning Man, ending with Symbiosis festival, and with a few nice club gigs in-between.
Tell us more about the podcast you made for Balance?
This podcast is pretty much a summary of tunes that have resonated really strongly with me playing them out at gigs and enjoying listening to at home. I know it’s a dry answer, but I’m hoping the music speaks louder than my words 🙂
My Recommendations
The top track in my DJ wallet currently is:
If I could recommend only one of my tracks for you to listen to it would be:
My favorite track would be off my last album, “Tortured Paper” because it’s dancey, jazzy, and from the heart.
If I could recommend only one track for you to listen to it would be:
Alessi Brothers – Seabird. It’s an old tune from the 70’s. It’s light, catchy, honest…and so different than the music I normally listen to.
My favourite Balance compilation is:
Stacey Pullen
The last movie I watched that I really liked:
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night
If I could choose anyone to compile a Balance comp it would be:
Acid Pauli
Tracklist
01) Intron – Richard Skelton – Threads Across The River w/Albert Hoffmann Voice
02) Francis Harris – You Can Always Leave (DJ Sprinkles Remix) – 02:00
03) Mononoid – Pure Blue (Beatamines Remix) – 06:00
04) Traute – Midas 104 -10:00
05) Lazaros – Gaia – 15:00
06) Terry Lee Brown Junior – Innocent – 20:00
07) Stavroz – To be in Mara – 24:00
08) Public Service Broadcasting – Sputnik (Blond:ish Remix) – 28:00
09) Azamat – Another Man (Evident Remix) – 34:00
10) Viken Arman – Rosas (Constantijn Lange Remix) – 40:00
11) Stimming_Alpe Lusia (Acid Pauli & Nu Remix) – 44:00
12) ?? – Bright Lake – 50:00
13) Superpoze – Shelter – 54:00
