Hailing from the dusty streets of Mitchell’s Plain in the heart of the notorious Cape Flats, Niskerone’s energetic and innovative style of mixing has entertained crowds at festivals and on dancefloors around the world. Niskerone needs no introduction in the world of Drum & Bass.
The man behind ‘It Came From The Jungle’, Niskerone started this weekly residency at Fiction DJ Bar in May 2006 after identifying a need in Cape Town for a Drum & Bass night that catered to the lighter side of the genre. Aside from pleasing hundreds of revelers each week, it also secured him slots alongside industry leaders such as Pendulum, Busta Rhymes, The Bloody Beetroots, DJ Fresh (UK), Dieselboy, Sigma, Cutline, and many more. We caught up with the DnB boss. Read further.
Tell us Niskerone’s story in a sentence…I’m just a guy who’s passionate about good music and making people dance…
Having been around on the South African electronic scene for a considerable amount of time, demolishing floors, also having been part of several projects, what keeps electronic music exciting to you? The constant stream of new & exciting pieces of music that comes out. I’m always discovering new and interesting takes on established genres, guys & girls that aren’t afraid to make exactly what they want. It inspires me.
It’s been a long time since, but I’ve been dying to ask you, what was like in Monegros? It’s one of my favourite festivals to play and I’ve played it for 5 straight years now. It’s 20 hours of dusty, crazy fun, and filled with happy Spanish people. The line ups are always solid and each year I get to discover a new artist that I’ve never come across before, as well as see/meet legends.
Some are of the opinion that streaming music is the way of the future…how do you feel about that? You cannot fight the future. Just ask VHS… I’m happy about it, nowadays you could be performing in Tokyo and fans in Cape Town or Rio can stream your set live, that’s insane. It’s opened up so many possiblities of what artists can do with their talents.
I know there are a lot of exciting things happening in your corner at the moment…able to share anything with us that your fans don’t, but would kill to know? We’re busy building my AV show for the festival season, I’ve got a great team of talented individuals with me. It will be a game changer.
Do you have any pre-show rituals? Is there anything that comes with you on stage…always? Water, always. I always stretch before I go on stage. There’s not much worse than an ailing neck the next day.
What was your favourite most inspiring ‘record’ (tune/album/cd) growing up? I had quite a few, but one of them was ‘01/’02’s Bad Company UK - Shot Down On Safari album, which coincidentally DJ Fresh UK was a part of.
Niskerone with Bridges For Music
It’s incredibly difficult to tell with so many factors playing an integral role in what the result will be, but do you think that electronic dance music…or the industry in SA more specifically, is on the right track? In terms of SA artists getting recognition & tours abroad, hell yes! I love how South African music has been spreading around the world. With regards to the world’s influence on SA music/events, it’s mostly good, but it has pros & cons to it too…
Do you ever get tired of the club scene…it becomes quite a thing when you’re doing it all the time…how do manage this? I try and stay away from clubs and loud music when I’m not performing. That usually helps.
Dancer or not? It depends on how many drinks are in me…
A mogul in the South African music industry says it how it is. If you haven’t already, go and expose yourself to Niskerone’s highly energetic set this weekend the 26th of April at The Social alongside top South African talents such as Sibot, Das Kapitaland more, in Stellenbosch
EVENT: Olmeca Tequila presents The Social
See you on the dancefloor!