Ignited by an internal combustion engine fueled by raw emotion, Nigerian-born Lebanese artist Nicole Moudaber is at the forefront of her movement. For over ten years, the techno community has been hypnotized by sounds from one woman, Nicole Moudaber. Presiding over an empire that includes MOOD, her highly influential record label and global party brand, as well as a hugely popular radio show, a back catalog of incendiary house and techno releases, and a range of philanthropic endeavors. For years, she has taken the music industry by storm, every boom, every synth from every track she has ever produced. Each track she made throughout her career as a DJ and producer always gave goosebumps. Creating a Techno platform all on her own, Nicole Moudaber’s vision came true once her first episode, In The Mood, was released. “Honestly, I didn't think that I would get to where I am today, because when I first started, I only did it for love. I started making music. I didn't want to be a DJ; I didn't think of DJing. I just wanted to make the music that I love, and that gave me this feeling on the dance floor. So when I started getting bookings and requests worldwide, I took it seriously.”
Artist Interview Episode 007: NICOLE MOUDABER
10 Years Of In The Mood
The In The Mood concept began in 2014 at local clubs in New York City, Philadelphia, and Chicago, experimenting with the techno sound and energy she had been craving to present to her audience. In The Mood radio show quickly evolved into its party event called MOOD, circling the world at music events and festivals. Her devoted fans grew a strong bond with the In The Mood concept, and ten years later, it's a legendary techno club. “With all the different styles, until you find what makes you and stick to it and perfect it. That's the only advice that I live by. It's a great platform to have because I'm also on 97 FM stations, DAB, and satellite, which reaches around the world with 14 million listeners every week. So we have developed that network for ten years now. It's a great outlet to play the stuff that I don't normally play out and that I love. I'm a music lover. I like all kinds of music. This is a great way to showcase.” Offering a set list that includes everything from live performances to deep house and driving techno. The music she loves will also appear on her MOOD Records imprint, ensuring fans a steady supply of the drum-fuelled electronic goodness they crave.
“it was an affirmation that I was doing the right thing and people loved it. I didn't think I would keep doing it 10 years later. What I would say to myself is probably don't get too worked up about little things. Just enjoy the ride and don't take it too seriously because, at the end of the day, as DJs, we play other people's records.” - Nicole Moudaber
How In The Mood Began
The global reach of her MOOD empire has led to Nicole curating In The Mood festival stages at the world’s biggest events: Electric Daisy Carnival (New York, Las Vegas, and Orlando), Ultra Music Festival, California's Escape, and The BPM Festival, joined by friends such as Carl Cox, Sasha, Danny Tenaglia, Chris Liebing, Paco Osuna, Green Velvet, Pan-Pot and Dubfire. Aside from her events, Nicole Moudaber is the winner of several accolades, including “Best Radio Show” and “Best Minimal/Techno remixes of Carl Cox’s 'Chemistry' and Alcatraz's 'Give Me Luv' at the IDMA awards in the states, Nicole Moudaber delivers her unique dark, emotive and lascivious blend of house and techno to the masses worldwide.
Her philanthropic endeavors include setting up ELEVEN, an enterprise that aims to support victims and funds volunteers to help prevent the brutal and barbaric practice of FGM (Female Genital Mutilation). She has also invested time and energy into the Lower East Side Girls Club in New York and Solving Kids Cancer. On top of that, Nicole Moudaber is an ambassador for the Association For Electronic Music (AFEM), using her position to campaign for positive change in the electronic music industry. An unstoppable soul who stands in a class of her own, Nicole Moudaber is one of the techno world’s most ICONIC and hardworking contemporary artists.
Sitting at the interview, giving off that ‘chill vibe’ that she always presents during her performances at infamous nightclubs and festivals, and in her radio show. Her modest nature is fueled by her love for techno and her relentless drive for improvement. During our conversation, we could feel the love and passion she had for music since the beginning of her career. Through her sets and music, she consistently strives to connect with her fans on the dancefloor. “So it's not rocket science. You've got to enjoy the ride and play from the heart. That's what I noticed. No planning. For example, I never plan my sets. I just play from the heart, and I look at what people are feeling. I take this and I run with it. In the past, I used to prepare. OK, I'm going to play.” If you have been an In The Mood fan, you will know it is a fact that Nicole Moudaber always delivers iconic sets.
“Go in full force. Yeah. Go in full force. Play from the heart. Play from the heart and the soul. Totally. And then that's how everybody will just like to love your set even more. Yeah. Just feel, feel it. Feel it, feel it. Feel the energy. Exactly! Go with the intuition. I perform better when I'm in that state of mind. I bet everybody will love those sets even more. So you've played all over the world.” - Nicole Moudaber
Upcoming Music & Projects
After performing at Brooklyn Mirage and Movement Detroit, Nicole Moudaber took to the New York City Hudson River for her “In The Mood on the Sea” edition, presented by Teksuport. “I mean, New York is my tribe. New York has always been my tribe. Because New York was the first one to embrace me in 2011 when I started playing there, it's very special to me. I showcased a visual show that has a story about female power and femininity, and it was done in a very organic way. It didn't have robots and people plugging into bullshit and all of that. It was very organic, real, relatable, and earthy, and people loved it. I can't wait to tour it next year. That's gonna be great.”
Nicole Moudaber’s notable releases range from her most recent production 'Intentionally' and remixes for Dean Mickoski & Roland Clark on Armada, Chris Liebing on MUTE, and Louie Vega, and Honey Dijon on Nervous Records to collaborations 'See You Next Tuesday' and 'How It Makes You Feel' with Carl Cox.
Among touring through Europe and Ibiza, Nicole Moudaber has upcoming music. “We have a ‘Truncate’ remix with that. I'm really excited about this one. As for my original stuff, I'm putting the finishing touches on my collaboration with Jamie Jones, my collaboration with Paco Osuna, my collaboration with Chris Liebing, and loads of original stuff as well. So it's a busy year with music.” Her recent releases are called ‘Slap Back’, delivering the meaning behind the track and how it slaps every dark bass beat it shoots. Another masterful creation, producing obscure techno tracks. Nicole Moudaber recently made her debut on Reinier Zonneveld’s Filth On Acid with her double single, 'Reverie / Forest Fire'. The track' Forest Fire' complements 'Reverie' by showcasing Moudaber's versatility. It features haunting vocals and psychedelic trance influences, resulting in a captivating and energetic composition. Listen to the new tracks below.
Listen to Nicole Moudaber - Reverie/ Forest
Final Thoughts
Throughout her music career, she has become a legend, a pioneer, and an inspiration to aspiring new generation DJs. Her final words for her fans and upcoming DJs who look up to her, she explained. “Don't compromise, don't copy, find your unique sound, and that takes a while. It doesn't happen overnight. You've got to dig deep, very deep, and enrich yourself with the history. The talent that's out there that needs to be heard. It's a big commitment, every week.”
Among being a pioneer in the techno music industry, her other passion is car racing. “We went to Napa in between, before Vegas. We spent four days there. We raced cars and did a wine tasting.”
Nicole Moudaber continues to lead the techno industry by producing more studio tracks, collabs, and remix packages. Along with constantly growing, In The Mood is gaining more listeners with each new episode. Nicole Moudaber will always have a distinctive and well-known name in the techno community. A true legend and innovative pioneer and producer, turning dreams into reality, she is the highest and most respected name in the techno community. Nicole Moudaber will always hold the crown as Queen of Techno.
Either/ OR Segement
Beer, Weed, or tobacco?
Both. Ah! - I'm still flippin'. Spliff is my thing.
Walk or run?
Walk
Play back-to-back or solo?
Both!
Play normal hours or after hours?
Afterhours
American festival or European festival?
I mean, they're the same. I can't say, they're the same.
Beach or stadium festival?
Stadium
Take out or cook?
Take out. I'm a lousy cook.
Release an EP or a full album?
EP. - The album is a commitment.
Nicole Moudaber:
Thank you so much.
MyPlayground Media:
No, thank you!
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