Ambient Agenda: Nakagin talks beats, parties and munters
The instrumental hip-hop beats created by Nakagin are an understated mix of tantalizing tones and minimalistic sounds. The Sydney based artist’s distinct music is one the rise, and we took an opportunity to catch up with the beat producer to find out what’s on his agenda for 2013.
When did you start making music?
I started making ambient music around the end of 2009 after I finished my final year of high school. But I started doing this whole beats thing in 2010.
What got you into your beat making style of music?
I guess it was a bit gradual really. I'd initially heard this compilation called Ghostly Swim in 2008 that was a collaborative release between Adult Swim and Ghostly International. It had some really awesome artists on it like Tycho, Dabrye and FLYamSAM, and I guess throughout 2008/09 I ended up listening to more and more hip hop stuff. I heard J Dilla's Donuts and Los Angeles by Flying Lotus for the first time in '09 too, so eventually I just started mixing these influences with the ambient music.
Where did the name ‘Nakagin’ come from?
It's taken from a tower in Tokyo designed by Kisho Kurokawa. It's quite strange, but really beautiful in a way because the rooms of the tower can be detached from the central spire and be updated or recycled. I just thought the concept behind it was great so I named myself after it.
What are you working on at the moment?
At the moment I'm working on a few beats for compilations and also writing a new EP. I've been trying to write the EP more consistently, but I keep getting sidetracked. I'm pretty bad at time management haha.
Are you into the warehouse scene in Sydney? Do you attend many warehouse gigs?
Yeah, somewhat. I really like Red Rattler and Exit. That being said, I don't really get the chance to get out to Marrickville too much these days, but I try to go see friends play. I'm actually going to a friend's 7" inch launch in a warehouse near central this Saturday.
What’s your most memorable story at a gig you’ve played?
It's a tie between the time a munted dude got onstage and started grinding the air and rapping to my songs, and the time when I spent 5 minutes on stage at the end of my set yelling across the room trying to ask the sound guy if I had gone over time...
Do you have any shows coming up?
Yeah I do, I'm playing Sequence Festival in Melbourne on the 27th of July with a host of amazing artists including Oscar Key Sung, Thomas William, Andras Fox and Wooshie.
You can hear the sounds of Nakagin on his Soundcloud here, be sure to check him out, the dudes got talent!
- Mimi
When did you start making music?
I started making ambient music around the end of 2009 after I finished my final year of high school. But I started doing this whole beats thing in 2010.
What got you into your beat making style of music?
I guess it was a bit gradual really. I'd initially heard this compilation called Ghostly Swim in 2008 that was a collaborative release between Adult Swim and Ghostly International. It had some really awesome artists on it like Tycho, Dabrye and FLYamSAM, and I guess throughout 2008/09 I ended up listening to more and more hip hop stuff. I heard J Dilla's Donuts and Los Angeles by Flying Lotus for the first time in '09 too, so eventually I just started mixing these influences with the ambient music.
Where did the name ‘Nakagin’ come from?
It's taken from a tower in Tokyo designed by Kisho Kurokawa. It's quite strange, but really beautiful in a way because the rooms of the tower can be detached from the central spire and be updated or recycled. I just thought the concept behind it was great so I named myself after it.
What are you working on at the moment?
At the moment I'm working on a few beats for compilations and also writing a new EP. I've been trying to write the EP more consistently, but I keep getting sidetracked. I'm pretty bad at time management haha.
Are you into the warehouse scene in Sydney? Do you attend many warehouse gigs?
Yeah, somewhat. I really like Red Rattler and Exit. That being said, I don't really get the chance to get out to Marrickville too much these days, but I try to go see friends play. I'm actually going to a friend's 7" inch launch in a warehouse near central this Saturday.
What’s your most memorable story at a gig you’ve played?
It's a tie between the time a munted dude got onstage and started grinding the air and rapping to my songs, and the time when I spent 5 minutes on stage at the end of my set yelling across the room trying to ask the sound guy if I had gone over time...
Do you have any shows coming up?
Yeah I do, I'm playing Sequence Festival in Melbourne on the 27th of July with a host of amazing artists including Oscar Key Sung, Thomas William, Andras Fox and Wooshie.
You can hear the sounds of Nakagin on his Soundcloud here, be sure to check him out, the dudes got talent!
- Mimi
