Nandu is searching for the deeper meaning of life through music. Rooted in rhythm and gently carried forward by organic melodies and subsidized by rough sonic patterns, he is known for his unique sounds and live sets.
With his roots deep in other genres like jazz, rock, and pop, he seeks to combine them all in an electronic setting. With a long line of cutting-edge releases, on labels such as Innervisions, Afterlife, Siamese, Fabric Records, and Watergate Records, and most recently his own imprint Out of Options, Nandu is looking into a bright future in the electronic music scene.
In this interview, we caught up with Nandu to discuss his career, the scene in Copenhagen, and more.
EG: Hi Nandu! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you with us. How are you doing? Where are you based at the moment?
Nandu: All is good here. Spring has finally arrived. It always takes some time here in the north. I’m based in Copenhagen and have been since 2009. It’s a perfect fit for me. Easy living, small but not too small, and then all my friends and family live here.
EG: It seems like electronic music is on the rise globally. Is this also the case in Denmark?
Nandu: In Copenhagen, the answer is most definitely yes. It feels a bit like there is a “before” and an “after” Covid when it comes to electronic music here. I used to work in a club called Culture Box before Covid. I was doing the bookings together with Danish DJ and owner of Culture Box, Tim Andresen. Back then, the demand for electronic music wasn’t that big. We had a lot of good nights, but also some very slow nights.
But after Covid, even though a lot of interesting new places have opened, it seems to me that the audience is big enough here now to have a full dancefloor in all venues. Also, the growing demands show in summer, when a lot of festivals and one-off events are taking place. Surely this was also happening before Covid, but the size of the events and the size of lineups are for sure different. So all in all, Copenhagen is thriving when it comes to electronic music. However, it still feels like the rest of Denmark is a bit behind.
EG: Good to hear that the Copenhagen scene is thriving. How do you feel about the dynamics of the scene in general?
Nandu: I think it’s interesting to see how the scene is growing now. Melodic techno is becoming the new EDM and has grown into this massive scene. The full show is in focus, and it needs to be visually breathtaking. Some of the best in the business are obviously Afterlife. It’s insane to see how great they are at doing it. I guess we have all seen the videos of this massive vertical video screen from their Tulum show this winter. It is breathtaking. Whit that said, the music comes second, and in my opinion, it kind of devaluates the good DJ.
I don’t have a problem with that, but obviously, this whole change of dynamic of the scene makes it harder to make it to the top. But, as it did so many times before, the scene is splitting into new fragments. At the moment, we see a lot of DJs going back to playing more housy tracks again. And the melodies in some parts of the scenes are more subtle and not as extreme as in the melodic techno scene. And when all that is said, I’m sure that the commercialization of melodic techno leads to more people being into electronic music. People may start with that, but eventually, I’m sure a lot will start to search for more.
“I don’t have a problem with that, but obviously, this whole change of dynamic of the scene makes it harder to make it to the top. But, as it did so many times before, the scene is splitting into new fragments”
EG: Covid really defined the life of most artists. How has everything been since?
Nandu: Obviously, Covid was exhausting. But I feel like I got the best from it. Today everything is very different. During Covid, I did some of the best releases I ever did, and on labels I only dreamt of, and there is no doubt that this put me in the position I’m in now. I’ve been touring a lot, and a lot of people are listening to my music.
EG: We recently premiered a track released on your label Out Of Options. Can you tell us a bit more about that?
Nandu: During Covid, I launched my own label, Out Of Options. The whole idea was to be able to release music without having to go through all the major gatekeepers. It’s been amazingly fun, and also a great success when it comes to sales and streams. The recent EP from Last Men On Earth was the first full EP where I wasn’t involved in any of the tracks. The EP is called ‘Ikigai’ and is a very different release compared to what I hear out there at the moment. It’s the 7th release of the label. The next one will be an EP from me with some remixes and will be out in October.
EG: You mentioned the success of your label Out Of Options. Do you have any plans to expand the label or sign any new artists in the near future?
Nandu: The idea of the label has always been to be in control. And as mentioned, I really enjoy working with the label. And for me, it feels like it would be the natural thing to keep developing. The strategy is, however, not to create a label with a long line of artists, but mostly, people I’m closely connected to. And then of course my own music. But I very much see it as an ideal platform for me to collaborate with people.
EG: How does the schedule look for Nandu during the summer?
Nandu: It looks good. I have a lot of music coming out that I can’t wait to share, and then a lot of touring. During winter, most of my gigs are outside of Europe, but in the summer, that’s different. Some highlights I’m looking forward to are definitely being back at Pacha Ibiza for Bedouin’s ‘Saga’ party. And then to be back at Macarena in Barcelona for OFF Week. It’s kind of a tradition, and I really love it. It’s a super small venue (75 cap.) but it is always magical. And then we are planning my first tour to the US in October, which I’m also looking forward to.
“The strategy is, however, not to create a label with a long line of artists, but mostly, people I’m closely connected to. And then of course my own music”
EG: You also mentioned that you have been working on some new music. Can you tell us a bit more about your creative process and what inspires you when you’re making music?
Nandu: As always, these things are a bit hush-hush. But as I told you earlier, I have an EP coming on Out of Options in October. The main track is done with a good friend, Kura, on vocals. Besides that, I have a. track on a VA of a brand new label end of May, and an EP coming in the summer, but I can’t tell you where it will be out.
EG: Thanks for the time and all the best!
Nandu: Likewise, thanks for having me 🙂
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