IWD 22 – Nene H Q&A and mix
We quiz the Turkish-born Berlin-based classically trained pianist…
Nene H, the Turkish-born Berlin-based classically trained pianist is known for boundary pushing experimental live sets at the likes of Berlin Atonal and CTM, including a collaborative performance with the National Choir of Georgia, “Ensemble Basiani. Her debut album last year on Incienso (label releasing albums of DJ Python, Call Super, Huerco S.) showed her deep, foundational knowledge of musical theory to synergise contrasting electronic compositions and the mental process of mourning the death of a loved one.
But Nene H also has also very strong profile as a DJ, she has been producing techno belters releasing on the likes of SPFDJ label Intrepid Skin, Kyiv’s Stantdard Deviation and Paris Possession and delivering high energy sets at Berghain, fabric ion London, Endurance in Copenhagen, ∄ in Kyiv leaving a strong impression and connection with each scene.
This recent mix best shows her “booty-shaking” dance floor approach, recorded for LSDXOXO’s release party of his acclaimed ‘Dedicated 2 Disrespect’ EP via online queer party Club Quarantine – which was featured as mix of the day on RA.
‘Rau//Reue’ has been described as a “living thing.” Often, we find that works of art described as “living things” tend to be woven with extra texture, almost sounding like they ‘breathe’ organically. That’s certainly the case with your album (Ali – due out July 21). Did you explicitly set out to make something “living”, and what do you make of that thought?
for me it means that it frees itself from my existence or me as the person who produced it, and becomes a being itself. So there is no issue of me owning the music any longer. It is a mindset I don’t plan it but my philosophy and my character is set to this.
Even though the album deals with a human theme (a recent death of a loved one), it still works in hard dance music. How did you find using electronic (often thought robotic) dance music as part of processing something as ‘human’ as death?
it is my reflection and the pain that I experienced in my world which includes the elements of this music as well. Dancing is self reflection and self expression and it is part of my life. So it would be not very reflective if I didn’t have those elements in there.
The bilingual and multicultural (Berlin-via-ME) influences on this LP are deftly woven together. At what points in your life did you discover/learn each musical style? Is this the first time you’ve fused them?
No it is not, I have done a piece at Berlin Atonal in 2017 that was very much in this area. It is an area of mixture of genres that I have been carefully experimenting since I started making electronic music. It came actually before techno for me to experiment on different genres and making sense in connections of material and sense.
Going into the album’s making, could you name a couple of “booty-shaking” anthems that influenced you?
there are so much music that makes me so happy I don’t know where to start but I would just name DJ Angeldu$t last EP is insane, also Sister Zo – Don’t Test Me, Wtchcrft – Shake it , every Thibault track , Theo Nasa just to name a few
Where can we catch you playing next?
March 18 Frankfurt Tanzhaus
March 19 Sofia Exe Club
March 26 Berghain
April 2 Munich Blitz
April 7 Canberra, Sideway
April 8 Melbourne Bourke st courtyard
April 9 Sydney Red Rattler
April 16 Basel Elysia
April 23 Madrid Mondo
April 24 Lyon Le Sucre
April 27 Amsterdam Radion
April 29 Budapest Arsenal
April 30 Hamburg Pal