Ahead of our club night with MUSAR Recordings on Friday 18th August at The Carpet Shop in Peckham, Glasgow-based producer Nightwave steps up to the IA MIX Series to deliver an acidic blend of house and techno packed with lysergic heat from DJ Haus, Cromby, Jerome Hill, Fear-E, Albert Van Abbe and more.
In our interview, Nightwave sheds light into her first steps into electronic music, her love for the city of Glasgow and residency at La Cheetah club. She also discusses the ethos behind her imprint Heka Trax, empowering women in the electronic music industry, the influence and passing of DJ Deeon and her interest in Amazonian shamanism and the organisation Barixá, which helps to support indigenous communities, organise retreats, educate and sell their arts.
Be sure to join us on Friday for an unforgettable night of dubbed out electronics, dub techno and acid house. Last entry is at 2am.
Interview by Tom Durston & Mathias Chaboteaux
"Over the years I've always made the music I wanted, explored new genres, collaborations, new sounds...I probably would have toured even more and had more gigs sticking to one formula but I'm proud to say I took a risk and genuinely did whatever the fuck I wanted"
Hi Maya, thank you for taking the time to speak to us and secondly, we are super excited to have you down at the Carpet Shop in Peckham to celebrate MUSAR’s 5 Year Anniversary! When did you first get involved with MUSAR and what does the record label mean to you and represent in the sea of other record labels?
My record “The Journey” was released on MUSAR in 2019 and it’s one of my favourite releases to date. It’s been a real pleasure working on that release with David (Dweedo) and I’m a big fan of his vision and ethos – I love the music he’s put out and the artists he works with. I’ve released on a variety of different labels, because I love meeting new people, collaborating…and MUSAR truly offers something different and fun.
Tell us about the mix you have recorded, where was it recorded, the track selection and the atmosphere you have created?
The mix is an hour mix recorded at home, it has a bit of everything and gets progressively more bouncy – a little bit like my DJ sets.
Looking ahead at the club night at The Carpet Shop on the 18th August, what 3 records/tracks are you itching to play?
There’s SO much good music coming out all the time, we really are so spoiled at the moment! I can’t wait to play the new KiNK & Raredub on Steel City Dance Discs, new Cromby on Potency and Nathan Micay on LuckyMe.
You’re a resident DJ and promoter at La Cheetah club in Glasgow, for those of us that have not been, tell us what makes this venue so special?
La Cheetah is my second home, it’s my favourite kinda club – an intimate underground rave cave, nice and dark with great sound. It gets sweaty and bouncy and the people really know their tunes. I feel really lucky that people have been supporting my residency Nightrave for ten years now, the time has flown by. If you want a proper party without the BS, La Cheetah is the place.
You launched your own imprint Heka Trax in 2013 – What spurred you to establish your own imprint, sign and promote other artists What’s your ethos behind the label?
Running a label has been a dream of mine since I was a teenager and I’m extremely proud of all of the Heka Trax releases and the artists I worked with, but a lot has changed since I started it (streaming boom being the main massive change, Brexit, pressing plant issues…) and I haven’t released anything in quite a few years. It has become progressively more difficult to make it all work and there’s only so much one can give as a labour of love. I’m not sure if the Heka Trax chapter is closed forever, but for now it’s in hibernation.
You’re originally from Slovenia and are currently based in Glasgow. What do you love about Glasgow and the music scene in the city? Who are the local underrated DJ/producers to watch for?
Glasgow is one of the best places in the world for music – and not just electronic or dance music, pretty much all of it! I love the dedication and no nonsense attitude, the honesty and pure love of parties people here have. It’s an extremely fun place! There is a lot of support for artists, and in the artist community.
I’m blessed with so many friends here and most of them are amazing artists too – I have to mention Natalie, Mother, Ribeka & Sofay – pure class. I would also like to give a shout to Radio Buena Vida that is doing such incredible work for the community and showcasing a huge group of amazing DJs. Check them out!
"There is no music without silence and in our duality, we need both to create harmony and peace"
Do you remember the first record store you walked into – and the record you first purchased?
Well – my first “decent” and “proper” record I bought was ‘Oochy Koochy‘ by Baby Ford but I have to be honest and say that my first ever record was Ace of Base…I was 10 or something.
You’re a big fan of DJ Deeon (R.I.P) – what tracks do you love the most about him and what was your best memory with him?
It’s impossible for me to pick a list of favourite Deeon tracks. He was a true pioneer and innovator and I’m still in disbelief and devastated he’s left us. I feel incredibly honoured to have called him a friend and to have worked with him musically.
I’ve been a huge fan of his since I was a kid in Slovenia. We had some great hangs and gigs together, from Chicago, Paris, to Scotland. Most special night was hosting him at Nightrave in La Cheetah with Natalie – we both wore one off Let Me Bang tshirts and the night was just unforgettable.
Deeon also really loved IRN-BRU, which I thought was very sweet. I’m extremely grateful for our time together and for the vast legacy he leaves behind.
In a previous interview, you said taking risks would be the best advice you could give to the upcoming generations. Could you talk about your biggest music career risk and how you dealt with it?
Over the years I’ve always made the music I wanted, explored new genres, collaborations, new sounds…I probably would have toured even more and had more gigs sticking to one formula but I’m proud to say I took a risk and genuinely did whatever the fuck I wanted. That’s what it’s all about…and this is what I learned from people like Deeon and Rashad.
You’ve been giving workshops for empowering female producers/DJs. What did you conclude after doing these ones? In 2017, you said that people in the music industry should take more action by booking more women, writing more about them, and so on. Do you think that the situation has improved after doing this statement?
I’ve been ranting about this since my first release in 2009 and sometimes it backfired and got me in bad books with certain promoters and labels but again. I’m proud to have spoken out and called certain people out when needed. Myself and other women DJs and producers at the time have had to put up with a lot shit, abuse and humiliation and I’d like to think it wasn’t in vain. I do feel a lot has changed since but we still have far to go, until the scene is totally equal and diverse in all aspects, not just gender.
You’ve had a bountiful career with many tours, collaborations and releases. How do you feel about the next steps of your career? What stimulates you and what annoys you more than before while doing this job? What are you dreaming about for the upcoming years?
Good question! I’ve just turned 40, so I’m definitely getting tired a little quicker haha I would love to DJ for as long as I’m able to, it really brings me so much joy and I can’t see myself ever getting sick of it. I’m so grateful for all the amazing opportunities I’ve had in my career, it’s been so varied and exciting. I would love to have more time to create, record more vocals, experiment more…but time doesn’t seem to be on my side right now…and I need to sleep sometimes haha
What hardware are you currently using in your productions?
Absolutely none! I’ve literally downsized to just my laptop over the years.
Which music scene/genre inspires you the most?
Chicago or Detroit
"Myself and other women DJs and producers at the time have had to put up with a lot shit, abuse and humiliation and I'd like to think it wasn't in vain. A lot has changed since but we still have far to go, until the scene is totally equal and diverse in all aspects, not just gender"
You’ve been diving into ancient civilisations quite a lot. You’re particularly interested in Amazonian shamanism and herbal medicine knowledge. What do you think about Western minds going to spiritual retreats? How do you see the interaction of these ethnicities with the era of globalisation? Is there a way to give back to these ones?
I’ve always been very into ancient civilisations (it’s maybe quite obvious from all the track names) and I’ve been working with medicines from the Amazon for a while for my own personal healing, but for the last 4 years I’ve been in a deeper study with the Huni Kuin and Yawanawá Indigenous people from Brazil.
Our organisation Barixá helps to support the communities, organise retreats, educate and sell their arts amongst other activities. I also work with the medicine of Kambô and have opened a treatment studio in Glasgow which I now run (Sacred Forest). This is our way of giving back for the medicines and ancestral knowledge they share with us Westerners.
They need us… but not as much as we need them – we desperately need Indigenous people to keep protecting our rainforests and biodiversity. Westerners should by all means be attending spiritual retreats – we all suffer from many forms of collective illness and disconnection from nature…but this has to be done in the correct way that supports Indigenous people, protects nature, and is not done as a form of spiritual narcissism and bypassing.
Could you tell us how you incorporated the “Ayni” concept used by the Q’ero (Peru) shamans in your music lifestyle?
Ayni in short, is sacred reciprocity. It’s sometimes hard to feel like I’m giving back, before I receive so much from being a DJ and a producer…I suppose my form of reciprocity has been giving back to communities through musical fundraisers, free DJ and production lessons etc
You’ve mentioned that you’re admiring the power of silence. Why are you searching for this state of mind and where would be the place that perfectly represents it ?
There is no music without silence and in our duality, we need both to create harmony and peace. My favourite silent place is the Samye Ling Tibetan Buddhist Monastery. The Amazon rainforest is incredibly peaceful too, but there is never a silent moment there!
Finally, do you have any words of wisdom to share?
Not my words, but the words of Terence Mckenna – “Nature loves courage. You make the commitment and nature will respond to that commitment by removing impossible obstacles. Dream the impossible dream and the world will not grind you under, it will lift you up. This is the trick.”
Tickets for Inverted Audio x MUSAR: Dr Mystery, Nightwave, Antepop, Dweedo at The Carpet Shop are on sale through Inverted Audio. If you require assistance with your purchase, please contact Ticket Support and read our Ticket Policy. Last entry is at 2am.
Photography by Craig Gibson
TRACKLIST
1. DJ Haus – Open Your Mind
2. Chrissy – Play Structure
3. LDLDN – Machine Code (Galaxy Brain Dat Mix)
4. Ramu – Glide
5. Seb Zito – Horns
6. Dino Lenny – Washington Street
7. Cromby – Mythology
8. Jerome Hill – Bunker 7
9. Fear-E – Bass Harrier
10. Albert Van Abbe – In Rotterdam
11. Ackermann – Gear
12. Anna Morgan & Kool Karlo – Pop That
13. Tarquin & Ohem – Lara Croft Guns (Instrumental)
14. Samurai Breaks – Oshee
15. Greazus – I Love You
