As a Berlin-based Producer with a deeply introspective approach to sound design, Nonduality continues to establish himself as an Artist to watch on the Electronic Music scene.
Blending atmospheric textures with groove-focused rhythms, he has been steadily crafting a distinctive sound, creating music that has the power to resonate with listeners around the globe. His recent release, ‘Bubblewrap,’ in collaboration with Eva van Dijk, came as the latest example of his original creativity and signature sound, hinting at his exciting trajectory as he continues to refine and develop his artistic voice.
Today, Nonduality sits down with us to discuss his inspirations, recent musical discoveries, and the creative journey that has shaped his evolving style. From classic rediscoveries to unexpected sources of inspiration, he shares insights that offer a glimpse into the mind of an Artist in constant evolution.
T.H.E – Hi Nonduality, how are you doing?
Nonduality – Pretty well, thanks! It’s getting cold here in Berlin, so I’m looking forward to hunkering down in the studio and seeing my family at the end of the year.
T.H.E – When was the last time you heard a track that made you rethink your sound?
Nonduality – My studio-mate Eva van Dijk wrote a Hyperpop track that I ended up mixing. While mastering it, she tried pitching the whole thing down. It’s a classic technique, especially in Hip Hop, but I rarely think to try it myself. It sounded so cool and totally changed up the vibe. That inspired me to try stretching out pad samples to extremes, which led to some great results. I even made an ambient track out of one of them.
T.H.E – What was the last classic record that you rediscovered?
Nonduality – It’s gotta be “Finally ’97 (Classic Funk Mix)” by CeCe Peniston. I came across it on YouTube and am so, so excited to play it out at my next gig. I’ve never heard it on a big system, but I can tell it’s gonna be huge.
T.H.E – When was the last time you found inspiration in a place you didn’t expect?
Nonduality – I recently joined my grandmother on a trip to Hawaii. I heard a lot of breezy reggae music there, which really resonated with me. Also, the more quintessential Hawaiian music, with ukuleles and soft, cooing vocals, hit totally differently there. It was so peaceful and relaxing. I’m thinking about sampling some of that genre, maybe with some Hip Hop drums.
T.H.E – What’s the last genre or style that has influenced your music recently?
Nonduality – I’ve been hearing a lot of House and Garage music that’s deep and ethereal, but also fast — around 130-135 bpm or so. Some examples are “In Town” by Villager and “Sunset Operator” by Space Dimension Controller. The contrast of the fast tempo and deep sounds creates an interesting vibe that makes the tracks difficult to pin down. I think my music has a lot of depth already, so I’ve been experimenting with faster tempos and loving that sound.
T.H.E – When was the last time you heard a remix that you wished you’d made?
Nonduality – Oh, great question! I recently came across the Sammy Virji remix of “Goodums” by Unknown T. That remix has such a bright and innocent attitude. At the same time, it’s an absolute ripper that blows up every time I play it. Such a genius spin from Sammy Virji — that one definitely gets my vote.
T.H.E – What was the last artist who surprised you with their creative evolution?
Nonduality – It’s gotta be K-Lone. That guy’s sound is super diverse, but I somehow love every vibe he tackles. I love his work on the Garage label Vitamin D. He’s also made some ripping juke/footwork tracks like “Focus” and his remix of “Get Down 4 Real” by DJ Sluggo. “Love Me A Little” is deep and introspective, and his “Catching Wild” EPs on AUS are some of the best Tech House in my collection. That dude is clearly working with some serious gas.
T.H.E – When was the last time you revisited an old project and gave it new life?
Nonduality – My latest track, “Bubblewrap,” was just that! It started as a slow, sad beat that I was ready to abandon. When I showed it to my studio-mate Eva, she latched onto it and wrote some beautiful vocals over it. She also had the brilliant idea to speed it up from around 124 bpm to 135 bpm, which gave it a lot of energy that it originally lacked. I loved bringing that track back to life with her.
T.H.E – What’s the last track that inspired you to hit the studio immediately?
Nonduality – The track that I mentioned earlier — the one I mixed for Eva. After listening to it so many times while mixing it, I expected to be sick of it. The writing is so beautiful, though, I wanted more after I was done, so I got in the studio and made a remix. I love how it turned out — watch for a release on my studiomates’ collective, Whalesong Society, in the near future!
T.H.E – When was the last time you drew inspiration from a conversation with another artist?
Nonduality – My friend Dylan, a.k.a. Chirop, has our studio in the mornings. He’s usually there when I arrive — we’ll always have a chat and show each other what we’re working on. That guy has serious chops and is always experimenting with new sounds. I’ve learned a lot from him — from creative uses of sampling to entire genres of music that I forgot I love. He recently sent me a demo that immediately brought me back to the old-school Four Tet I fell in love with — think “My Angel Rocks Back and Forth” and “128 Harps.” Truly grateful to have that dude in my life (and studio).
T.H.E – What was the last non-music art form that influenced your creative direction?
Nonduality – I made the album artwork for my latest single with Eva, “Bubblewrap.” I was visiting my friend and long-time collaborator Elias, a.k.a. Elayas, at the time. He’s got an eye for visual composition, and gave me some helpful input while I was creating the cover art. The visual side of things has always been a challenge for me, but getting my feet wet in that arena has empowered me to release independently. I can see that experience having a big impact on how I release music in the future.
Nonduality’s insights reveal an Artist dedicated to exploring new sounds and pushing his creative boundaries. With each project, he aims to bring fresh energy and thoughtful experimentation to his work, seeking to make his mark and share his sound with listeners across the globe. So, as we wrap up our interview, we look forward to seeing where Nonduality’s journey takes him next and encourage you to keep him on your radar by following him across social media.
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