A CHAT W/ NICKOLAI
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The following is taken, edited, & condensed from the full 22-minute video interview with Nickolai on our Youtube.
Introduction
Q: Introduce yourself in one sentence.
Hi, I’m Nikolai, a 21-year-old UK Garage producer based in Nottingham.
Q: What got you into music?
Hearing "What Can I Do" by T2 at a house party when I was 16 sparked my love for underground sounds. From there, I dived into bassline and later discovered garage during lockdown, thanks to Conducta’s Kiwi Sound Mixtape.
Q: What is it about bassline that made you love it?
I was hooked by the female vocals and playful basslines. Garage stood out for its diversity and two-step rhythms that never take themselves too seriously, blending fun with emotional depth.
Key Influences
Q: Name three artists who shaped your journey.
- Sammy Virji – His tracks introduced me to garage.
- Main Phase – For blending old-school authenticity with modern clarity.
- Skeptic – For pushing an underground vibe I resonate with.
Old-School Meets New-School
Q: How did you discover old-school garage?
Sammy Virji led me to Garage, then I found darker two-step artists like El-B, whose mysterious, stripped-back style inspired my approach to blending nostalgia with modern energy.
Creating Music with Emotion
Q: Your tracks have emotional depth—why?
I want my music to connect in any setting, whether on the dancefloor or at home, balancing groove with personal emotion.
The EP Process
Q: What inspired your new EP?
I wanted it to feel like a DJ set—starting dark with two-step, transitioning into high-energy speed garage, and ending with jungle. It’s a journey through sound and vibe.
Q: Favorite track?
"Can You Feel"—it came together effortlessly, surprising me with its impact.
Q: Most challenging track?
"Dancefloor Damager". I spent ages perfecting the mixdown, but the effort was worth it.
Looking Ahead
Q: Where do you see your music going?
I’m focused on blending old-school garage’s soul with modern punch, digging deeper into two-step, and experimenting with nostalgic yet fresh sounds.
Q: Advice for new producers?
Start small—don’t overthink it. Use tools like Splice and embrace trial and error to find your sound.
Final Words
My EP is about discovery and emotion. Whether it’s through the raw energy of jungle or the nostalgic rhythms of two-step, I hope listeners feel inspired to explore new sounds and enjoy the journey as much as I did creating it.