Interview With Nakadia

In the dynamic world of electronic music, few artists can claim a journey as captivating and inspiring as DJ Nakadia. Born in the rural heartlands of Isaan, Thailand, Nakadia has transcended boundaries, both geographical and cultural, to establish herself as a powerhouse in the global techno music scene.

This piece aims to delve deep into the life, art, and soul of Nakadia – a DJ, sound designer, and promoter whose story resonates with the spirit of the techno genre. For starters, let’s see her performance in France, below.

The Journey of DJ Nakadia

Early Life and Inspirations

DJ Nakadia’s story begins in the serene yet modest setting of Isaan. Growing up in a region far removed from the pulsating beats of techno, Nakadia‘s early life was grounded in the simplicity and struggles inherent to rural Thailand.

However, it was this very environment that shaped her resilient spirit and unyielding pursuit of dreams. The contrast between her humble beginnings and her current status as a techno icon is not just stark but profoundly inspiring.

Discovering Techno

The transformative moment for Nakadia came with her first encounter with techno music in Europe. This experience was not just an introduction to a genre; it was a revelation, a calling.

The pulsating rhythms and the energetic beats resonated with something deep within her, igniting a passion that would soon become her life’s pursuit. Her journey from an awe-struck spectator to a creator and performer on the global stage is a testament to her talent, determination, and vision.

Rising Stardom

Nakadia’s ascent from local gigs in Koh Samui to commanding stages at some of the world’s most prestigious festivals is nothing short of phenomenal. Her music, characterized by a unique blend of energy, emotion, and cultural elements, rapidly garnered attention. As she toured across continents, her reputation as a dynamic and mesmerizing DJ grew, marking her as a significant force in the techno world.

Milestones and Achievements

Global Performances

DJ Nakadia‘s performances are a whirlwind of energy and passion, captivating audiences worldwide. From the vibrant stages of Tomorrowland to the historic grounds of the Love Parade, her presence has been felt and celebrated. Each performance is not just a showcase of her skill but an expression of her journey, her heritage, and her love for music.

Influence in Thailand

Back in her homeland, Nakadia has been instrumental in shaping the techno scene. Her “Nakadia welcomes” events are more than just musical gatherings; they are cultural exchanges, bringing global beats to the heart of Thailand.

Her role as a promoter goes beyond organizing events; it’s about building a community and nurturing a space for techno in Thailand. You can also check out her YouTube channel to see more of her.

Recording Success

Nakadia‘s creativity extends to the studio as well, where she has produced remarkable EPs and collaborated with icons like Carl Cox.

Her recordings are a melange of her experiences, travels, and musical explorations, each track telling a story, each beat a heartbeat of her artistic journey. You can see more of her below, and follow her Instagram and her website.

 

Bu gönderiyi Instagram’da gör

 

Nakadia (@nakadia_music)’in paylaştığı bir gönderi

Challenges and Triumphs

In the world of electronic music, dominated predominantly by male artists, DJ Nakadia carved her niche against significant odds. Her journey was not without challenges, often facing prejudices and stereotypes in a male-dominated industry. Yet, Nakadia‘s story is one of triumph over these adversities. Her resilience in the face of these challenges is a testament to her strength and dedication to her art.

The Creative Process

Nakadia‘s approach to music is as unique as her journey. The intricacies of her creative process blend traditional influences with contemporary techno vibes. Balancing touring with studio work, Nakadia continuously evolves her sound, ensuring each performance and track is a fresh experience for her audience.

Her dedication to her craft and her ability to stay true to her artistic vision while also embracing innovation is what sets her apart in the dynamic world of techno music.

Nakadia’s Personal Side: Interests and Passions

Beyond the decks and studios, Nakadia is a person of diverse interests and passions. Let’s shed some light on what she enjoys outside her professional life, offering a glimpse into her hobbies, inspirations, and what fuels her creativity.

Understanding Nakadia‘s character is crucial to appreciating her music. Her ethos, her approach to life and music, and her traits make her a beloved figure in the techno community. Her personality, marked by positivity, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, shines through her music and interactions, endearing her to fans and colleagues alike.

Interview: 10 Q&As With DJ Nakadia

We asked DJ Nakadia ten questions, and she was kind enough to answer them; now, without further ado, let’s get on with the interview!

The heart of our content – the exclusive interview with DJ Nakadia. Here, we showcase the 10 questions and her thoughtful responses, providing direct insights into her perspectives, experiences, and philosophies. This interview is a unique opportunity for readers to hear directly from Nakadia.

1- What inspires you the most in your life, and how do you incorporate these sources of inspiration into your creative process?

Answer: “I get inspired by my touring and playing with so many different artists all over the world. I started touring already in my first year as a DJ. Listening to and watching other artists play made me the artist I am today. I am a DJ in the first place, and DJing takes 90% of my time, so unfortunately, I don’t have much time for studio work.”

2- What period or event in your artistic journey has had the most significant impact on you?

Answer: “I was in Ibiza in 2014 when my friend – who was working for Ants at Ushuaia – was trying to get me into Ants through a side door. When one of the big managers of Ushuaia passed by, he asked, “This is my friend Nakadia; she played at Sankeys last night. Is it okay if we get her in?” – the guy looked shocked at me and asked, “You played Sankeys last night? Come with me…” he took my hand and ran off with me, straight to the stage. There he introduced me to Yan, the founder of Ushuaia. “Yan, this is the girl that played at Sankeys last night.” Then Yan took me by the hand and ran off to the office with me. He asked me if I wanted to join the Ants Family. Everybody was talking about my set the night before at Sankeys, and they were looking for a great female DJ… I think this moment changed my life the most. I became a part of Ibiza’s biggest party and got a lot of respect on the island and even around the world. I was only with Ants for 2 years, but these 2 years were the most important years of my career, and I kept on growing my career ever since.”

Answer: “Restless, Worldwide, Techno. I am only at home a few days each month, just to change my bags. This has been my life for 20 years now, and I only had a break during the pandemic. I take my techno to all corners of the world, and some people think I should be in the Guinness Book of Records (Guinness World Records) for playing in more countries than any other artist (86 countries in total and about 40 each year).”

4- Can you share some insights about the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your career and how you overcame them?

Answer: “The first 10 years of my career have been extremely hard. When I look back at that time I ask myself how I could even do it. It was so crazy that I wrote a book about it. The book is called “Positive Energy” as it was my positive energy that made me survive this. Back then, girls were not accepted in the techno scene, and I had to fight hard to earn respect. In the first years, other Techno DJs and promoters were just laughing at me. They all thought I was a fake because they didn’t understand why I was touring the world. My secret to success was my home base back then: Koh Samui in Thailand! In those days, that little island was the favorite holiday destination for the cool people of our industry. The music in Koh Samui was mostly terrible commercial music, but I already played underground music. Every night when I performed on Samui, there were always 3-4 people that came to the DJ booth and asked how they could book me. This is how I became an international touring DJ from day 1. It was always the same – the people who never heard me play talked bad about me, and the people who did hear me play booked me. So the hard part wasn’t getting booked; it was to actually make it to my destinations. I used to live 3 months in Thailand (making my connections for the next tour) and then 3 months in Berlin, touring Europe from there. But for nearly every country, I needed a visa, which meant that on most weekdays, I had to get up early to visit embassies to make the visa for the next weekend. Some countries rejected my visa or didn’t even let me apply, so I had to travel to other countries (like The Netherlands) to apply for the visa, for example, to Poland, Croatia, or Bulgaria. This life was very expensive, and my fee was not high yet, so I mostly didn’t have a chance to take money back home with me, but I wanted the experience and exposure.”

Answer: “That’s the great thing about social media; it gives you the chance to stay close to your fans and followers. I have really good communication with people from around the world through my social media channels. The direct messages are often way too much so that I can’t keep up anymore, but I reply to every comment.”

6- How has your artistic approach or style evolved over time?

Answer: “At the start of my career, I had to find my way, and I had to learn about all the different styles of electronic music. Coming from Thailand I had absolutely no idea what electronic music was. I just fell in love with a set that I heard during my first night out on a visit to Germany. I learned that that was techno, so I wanted to become a Techno DJ. But it took me many years to really understand techno and the different styles under that name. So, I started playing mostly deep progressive as well as more German Commercial Techno at the beginning of my career. I had 2 styles to please different crowds. In 2008, I decided to just be an Underground Techno DJ – no more second option. If a club wanted to book me I would play my techno and nothing else. That was the best decision, and from that moment on, my career really developed in the right direction. Within my sets, I move between melodic techno and driving-uplifting techno. I tell a story with my sets, and I take people on a journey. I can’t stand flat sets because I think whatever music you love, you need a change of mood sometimes, and like a good movie, there have to be ups and downs, surprises, and a beautiful ending.”

Answer: “After a performance by Carl Cox in Ibiza during the summer of 2018, I handed a USB stick with my music to Carl. A few weeks later, he got back to me and wanted to sign the tracks to his label, Intec. During that summer, I saw him play a few more times and noticed that he was playing my tracks in every set. Every time one of my tracks was coming up I felt extremely proud and happy. “Acid Storm” and “Serenity Now!” were the first 2 tracks played by Carl, but after that, he played most of the tracks I sent him.”

8- What are your thoughts on the role and impact of your life in society?

Answer: “I am especially happy that so many people always write me their stories and tell me how I inspired them to change their lives. I hear these stories from all over the world, but most of all from my home country, Thailand. I like to inspire people and let them know that everything is possible in this world, even if you own nothing and are on your own. Believe in yourself and work hard to make your dreams come true. I come from a very poor background. I grew up without electricity or running water, and it looked like I would never be able to do something with my life. But I did it! Most artists get famous today only because they have big budgets for marketing or big management to put them on all the right stages, but I did it all just by hard work and making fans one gig after the other. Of course, I am not a hyped-up name playing the main stages of the big festivals, but I am happy with my life, and that’s the most important thing. Be happy with whatever you do in life, and you will get your lucky moments. You just have to recognize them and make the right decisions.”

Answer: “I dont see myself as a producer, I am a DJ in the first place. But I love producing, and during the pandemic, I started building my modular system at home. This really inspires me. I can just jam around, and there will always be some sound or beat that shows me the way to a new track. It is a process that happens, nothing is planned, and that’s what I love so much about working with modular synths. When I jam on the system, I record everything, and when I find a special sound, then, I tweak it in every direction and see where it takes me. Then I cut out the pieces of the recording that I would need in a track and start to make a basic arrangement with these snippets. Unfortunately, that’s as far as I get because I am hardly ever home. During the busiest months only 2 days or not at all. It leaves not much time to finish productions, so I finish the tracks together with a studio partner who is much better and quicker on the final parts of the process.”

10- What are some projects or goals you hope to achieve with your life in the future?

Answer: “I am hoping to tour a bit less and only play the shows that I really love in the future. Spending more time in the studio and starting more projects as a promoter in Thailand is what I want to focus on more. Thailand is becoming a major destination for artists and clubbers, and I am happy that I was able to be a part of the process of moving Thailand in this direction. We have Koh Phangan as an underground destination, which is like a tropical Berlin with many super cool small parties at the most beautiful locations. And then there is the opposite: Phuket, which is becoming like an Ibiza of Asia with huge shows like Circoloco or the biggest DJs of the scene at Cafe Del Mar. It is very exciting to be a part of this development in my country, and I want to move back home to Thailand over the next few years to let the circle of my life close.”

Conclusion: Wrap up

In conclusion, DJ Nakadia‘s story is a vibrant tapestry of determination, creativity, and passion. From her humble beginnings in rural Thailand to becoming a globally recognized Techno DJ and promoter, her journey is a beacon of inspiration. It illustrates the power of perseverance and the impact of embracing one’s roots while forging a unique path in the world of techno music.

As Nakadia continues to evolve and inspire, her story remains a testament to the transformative power of techno music and the boundless possibilities that await those who dare to dream and work tirelessly toward their goals.

What do you think? Do you have anything to ask DJ Nakadia, or have we missed anything? Let us know in the comment section below.

You can also follow her on SoundCloud and Spotify.