The thin mid-tempo beat, some electro hand-claps, a melodic four-note hummmm, a man's voice making wordless vocalizations, then a piano, synthesizer paint is applied, then a stronger beat, more voice (this time a woman singing short phrases), processed brass softly blares.
The layers build, loops cycle through the ears, the dancers start to sway and pick up momentum. Even those sitting at home listening on earphones can't help it. There is involuntary pleasure movement built into every Nora En Pure track.
NEP frontwoman Daniela
Niederer has been lulling and catapulting dance crowds for years. The South African deejay is based now in Switzerland but is one of the world's most sought-after party principals, a global queenpin of 21st century disco. She is famous across every ocean for the way she builds a dance song and the mood of the crowd. She is one of the biggest names in genres like deep house, indie trance and tech house.
She will be in the Prince George house tonight. The Citizen spoke with her about her rise to power in this rare form of art where music fragments are welded together live, on the fly, riding a constantly curling sonic wave of hand-thrown melodies and rhythms.
Citizen: What is your own musical background? Do you play any instruments, or is it intuitive?
Niederer: I played a couple of instruments when I grew up like piano and the flute, also drums.
Citizen: When did you know that this was an art form you wanted to pursue professionally? How did that evolve from experimentation to full career?
Niederer: It was a hobby for a long time. I was studying something else at university. However as the interest was growing and more booking requests came in I decided to give it a try once I had my degree. It worked out very well so far.
Citizen: How have you seen the industry evolve since you started?
Niederer: Electronic music has had a huge hype. Everyone wants to be part of it somehow. There is an incredible amount of money in this industry.
The doors to this business are also more open.
Citizen: Are there directions the industry is taking you especially like and/or don't like?
Niederer: I like funky or melodic music. Plain techno, for example, becomes too dull for me at some stage. The noisy EDM (electronic dance music) sound is also a no-go for me.
Citizen: How would you describe your own sound, and how do you see yourself progressing in your genre?
Niederer: My sound is soft and warm. I often try to create an atmosphere in a track using a lot of different instruments. I want to keep it funky and diverse, but I'm also open for new influences.
Citizen: What are you thinking about when you blend melodies and beats? As in, what qualities are you looking for in the creation of a song?
Niederer: I try to take the listener somewhere else, I am often imagining a scene when creating a track, especially in the breaks where I can make great use of organic elements.
Citizen: I know the goal for anyone up on that stage is to get the audience to have fun, to jump and move, but what sets you apart? How is the Nora En Pure experience different from the others?
Niederer: I also enjoy my plays most when the people share my enthusiasm and love for the music. However I always want to play high quality music and not betray my style. I follow my feelings and also while playing, I'll adapt to a certain extent to the crowd and otherwise stick to my sounds.
Citizen: You now tour the world - all parts of the globe. What was it that allowed you to be so mobile in your career? How is the travel a perk of the job and how is it a chore?
Niederer: These days sounds can travel very far and music gets heard all over the world. I was lucky enough that my music touched many different people from different places. The travelling brings a lot of variety which is nice but it can be also very tiring to spend a lot of time in airplanes and at airports."
Citizen: You go to tropical locations, exotic locations, ultra urban locations... What are you expecting from the Prince George location?
Niederer: I have heard that it is an amazing place, especially for its nature. And I am a big nature fan so it's a pity I will only stay one night. As for the clubbing I am very open and curious.
Nora En Pure will plug into the audience at The Generator Nightclub with support deejays Jimi Smyth and SPR working the stage too.
Tickets are $15 available at One Boardshop (Spruceland) and Extreme (Pine Centre).
