Kristian Nairn’s Exclusive Interview With The Playa Times
Northern Irish DJ Kristian Nairn is prepping for his upcoming Rave of Thrones event at the Blue Parrot in Playa del Carmen on March 5th. Nairn recently spoke with The Playa Times about his musical influences, the EDM scene, what he is currently listening to and much more! Check out some of the exclusive interview below, but be sure to head over to The Playa Times to read the full interview.
You play guitar, sing, and have even played in heavy metal and rock bands. Who were some of your musical influences growing up in Northern Ireland?
I have a strange bunch of influences. My rock influences are very different from who influences the music I produce and play today, although I wouldn’t say that they are completely disconnected. I always loved the insane guitar riffs and rhythms of Megadeth, the slow stomach churning grind of Obituary , the electronic dark and bleak of Gary Numan , the Rock, with a punk stomp of the Cult . I loved the quirkiness and raw emotion of Bjork , the classic sound unusual melody and subject matter of Kate Bush, the logic , satisfying resolutions to Bach.. And then there’s all the electronic influences. We could be here all day, but those were the main ones who were a part of my musical upbringing.
EDM has been around a long time but has really exploded over the past decade or so. How do you stay creative and adapt and grow with the EDM scene?
I think it’s important to stay true to the sounds that you love. It’s also important to keep the sound fresh and current. For example, if you are going for an old school sound, I think it’s a good idea to use the most current techniques and software to give it a shunt into “now.” That, and don’t be afraid to draw on your influences, even if they are in a completely different genre of music.
Who are you currently listening to? What is it about them that appeals to you?
As always , I’m listening to a lot of Chvrches , Solvent , Pryda , Guy J, Audio Noir . I love synth heavy music , with a little element of darkness to it, even if it’s in a theatrical way.
For more from this exclusive interview, click here
In case you missed it, check out our exclusive interview with the DJ in our YouTube video “5 Things You Didn’t Know About Kristian Nairn.”
In 2015 Kristian Nairn released his first two singles on Radikal Records, Up / Beacon (feat. Leanne Robinson) and 4Love (feat. Salt Ashes). Both singles are now available for download on iTunes & Beatport, and for streaming on Spotify & SoundCloud.
Stay connected with Kristian Nairn by following him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & SoundCloud!
