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Referred by John Digweed and Steve Lawler as "The Queen of Dark House", Nicole Moudaber is one of those elusive figures that seem to have existed in the background of dance music for eons, only to finally flourish in recent years and step into the production limelight. Cutting edge from the very beginning, her involvement in dance music started in 1996 when she was the first promoter to throw big parties 'Trashy Renaissance' in Beirut and bring DJs such as Anthony Pappa and Paul Van Dyk into the Lebanon at a time when the country was emerging from a long running civil war. The setting for those parties, a bombed out mosque and cathedral was similarly fitting. Dance music that unifying entity being brought into 2 opposing spectrums of the universal code of religion and a shelled out architectural legacy left from war  provided people with the power to convert hallowed ground into a new spirituality that thousands turned to as dance music became a new religion in the 90's.

On the matter of dealing with the politics that accompanied the territory of being a promoter she told me she had to "stand up to a lot of people." Quite a feat, considering the fact that the few women involved in dance music throughout the 90's had to have a very strong approach as to how they engaged with the dominant personalities that existed in the domain. Even today, in UK terms the tech house and techno scene Moudaber has entered is still a territory that remains heavily dominated by guys. The blinkered attitude towards female DJs and producers evidenced, when I asked music industry professional from a reputable UK based company where all the women were in the UK that they worked with, innocently he answered that James Zabiela covered the 'female' aspect of it all. (Maybe he was joking?)

Moving to the UK to study in the late 90's a country which she tells me is 'brilliant' she quickly progressed to becoming a monthly promoter at the now defunct Turnmills nightclub in London and started her own label South East Recordings. She only started DJ-ing at a night called 'Soundworx' a few years ago but her tech-house and techno productions that have been signed to labels such as Plastic City, ViVa Music, Azuli and Yellow Tail and have appeared in the record boxes of DJs as diverse as Anja Schneider, Hernan Cattaneo, Dubfire, Valentino Kanzyani and Carl Cox.

The sound she plays is darkly tribal with drums and percussion featuring heavily but remixes for the likes of X-press 2 or Defected's Shapeshifters also demonstrate a wider cross-over appeal. John Digweed debuted her as a guest mixer on Transitions; Pete Tong has played her track 'The Reason Why' and deemed her to be a 'Rising Star' on The Essential Selection and Cox also made space for her on his Global radio programmes in 2009. Indeed, Cox has been so taken with Moudaber that she  warm up his 'Revolution' night at Space with lengthy 3 hour sets on a couple of occasions this summer. Add to this a series of nights playing a weekly residency at Es Vive Church on Sunday and The Underground and a series of releases coming up on VIVa Music, Monique Musique and Intec over the next few months too it appears Nicole Moudaber is making a serious mark on dance music.

Can you tell me how the links with Carl Cox and his night come about? Why do you think he is talking about you so much?
He was a major supporter of my work and he really got into my sound. Then he invited me to open for him last year in London for his DVD launch and then Space Ibiza last summer and again this year. I'm playing twice with him at The Revolution Continues at Space. 

In terms of the Space gigs and The Underground gig.  One is a 17,000 capacity venue and the other a small underground club, how will you differentiate your style between the 2 venues?
Exactly. It takes a lot of work to accommodate 2 different rooms. At Space I have the option to play techno, a sound that my ears are stamped with since years ago and it's a techno crowd, all I need do is to let go and let it flow. Underground on the other hand is more intimate, my choice will be more tech-house and dirty for this set.

You were throwing parties in the Lebanon at a time when the country was coming out of the turmoil of war. Can you tell me the difficulties you had to overcome in regard to that?
After the war, back in early 90s it was difficult for them to grasp the concept of DJs and parties.  We had no support from radio or clubs and had to do it from scratch, including getting a licence from the government. I must admit, the support that I got from the city to accommodate and facilitate the organisation of those parties was amazing. I practically had the whole People forget about day to day living and unify under one roof and one sound. How amazing is that?  We act on feelings. Music brings this out in people.army at my disposal! When I first threw the party in down town Beirut, next to a cathedral and a mosque, it was surreal, the power of music! So I introduced the dance scene to Lebanon, got tours over like Ministry of Sound which was the first time ever they played in the Middle East, DJs from Trade and DTPM, dancers, top 40 acts to compliment. We couldn't throw 100% underground parties back then, so we had to do it slowly and since then, every DJ on the planet has now performed there. Early June, Danny Tenaglia came over for the first time, I opened for him and he was blown away.

So what did you think when you came to the UK and had to deal with the criminal justice bill etc? Or did you have to deal with that?
CJB? Well, I had my record label in the UK during that time so I was back and forth, all my acts came from the UK anyway, DJs, dancers etc. I didn't have to deal with CJB.

What was the hardest thing about running a night? How did you overcome those problems of getting started?
I used to be promoter and it's like gambling, the stress you go through is unreal, financial commitments. It's a hit and miss

What where the hits and what the misses over the years for you?
I had a few hits in Lebanon. I remember in one night having to carry $100K in garbage bags, DJs and dancers were from DTPM but we had an act on 'Sash' who at the time had a dance hit called 'Encore Une Fois'! It was massive and was an amazing party, a road block.  I've had a few misses too, it's painful when that happens. In London, it was pretty much safer I must admit.

How did London differ to Lebanon then when you got in there and started running parties?
I always felt an affinity for London hence why I continued my studies there. I started having problems in Lebanon back then when the Syrian politicians were controlling the country, no liberty and freedom of speech. Lebanon became too small for me. So, I decided to move on and establish myself in a place whereby human beings are respected and validated.  London is my home now.

You mentioned that the spirit of acid house unites people. Do you think the generation that is coming through have grasped that spirit the way the last generation did?
Without a doubt. No conditioning, stigma or anything negative that's implemented by the world.  People forget about day to day living and unify under one roof and one sound. How amazing is that?  We act on feelings. Music brings this out in people.

You said once "I'm a creative, and I love to express this through all aspects of my environment - sound, vision, everything. Music is one element of what I do, it's part of a wider, positive culture that I love" can you tell me a bit more about this statement and about expressing yourself through every medium?
Design. I love architecture, I found that about that aspect when I bought a house here then started to remodel and refurbish it. Slashed it around and turned into a minimal design villa www.villabes.com. I rent it out in the summer, it's a brilliant path and I love it.

In your productions you seem to be pretty fond of dark beats and certain metallic drum sounds so what is the starting point on a track for you?
Drums and bassline. I work on the groove at least 2 or 3 hours until it sounds right and the rest follows.

So, you start with a bass line and then build from there?
Drum loops. I'm actually back in the studio again for a week at the end of the month, in Ibiza you can't really focus on productions!!

Did it take you a long time to master Ableton or Logic, whatever you work with?
I work with Ableton Live 8. I went and did a 1 day crash course in Brighton, after that it's all been practice and it took a good month to master it!

Do you work with instruments a lot then as well?
Not really, but I would love to play percussion on one of my tracks

Are you playing vinyl or cd decks?
I play Traktor Pro and Kontrol X1. I actually got converted as I used to play CD's I love Es Vedra and Formentera (another island next to Ibiza) Es Vedra is this massive rock in the middle of the north side of Ibiza, it's really majestic...

Did you ever play vinyl?
Yeah, I have tons of vinyl. I used to be a collector. Unfortunately I've had to store them in London, but, I have plans to pull them out soon and bring them over here to Ibiza.  I'm turning the terrace underneath the pool into a disco room this winter.

Let me just ask a bit more about the whole thing you are doing in Ibiza this summer? What else can we expect in your sets?
Dirt, hehehe and groovy, sexy tough etchy sounds.

Tell me a bit more about chilling on the island, where do you like to hang out?
I have a boat here in Ibiza that's my escape time, I love to take it out and roam around, spend time with my friends, discover different pockets around the island. It's amazing how gorgeous it is from the sea side.

Is there anywhere in particular you really like?
I love Es Vedra and Formentera (another island next to Ibiza) Es Vedra is this massive rock in the middle of the north side of Ibiza, it's really majestic. Every time I get near it I feel the intense energy it emanates. It's considered the second most energetic spot after the Bermuda triangle.  I heard planes aren't allowed to fly over it. It's very magnetic apparently.

What's the biggest change that you notice in Ibiza from past to present?
It's gone more up-market not but the vibe is still the same. Better internet connection too!!

Has it lost any of its original character with the whole move into an upmarket scene?
Not really, if you really know where to go, there a lot of authentic places still untouched. I will not reveal what those places are though!

So, what else have you planned for your time in Ibiza?
In the summer I'm trying to play out as much as possible and hang with friends, listen to a lot of DJs, try to do a week a month in the studio.

Will you playing any other parties then the Carl Cox gig and underground in Ibiza? Any villa parties etc?
I'm playing Skins birthday early August that should be a lot of fun

What is your record box for the summer? Which producers are you really into at the moment?
I'm really into Paul Ritch, Alex Dolbi, Gary Beck they're doing amazing stuff at the moment, Carlo Lio as well.

What else have you planned this year production wise etc?
I'll be featuring a lot of my tracks on the INTEC EP coming out in Sept, INTEC is Carl Cox's label, he signed a 3 track EP. I named a track called Cacahuetes that will come out on Monique Musique.

There's a Beatport competition taking place in support of my show and the release in the next few weeks all the big boys are on it at the moment. Pete Tong featured it on his Essential mix last month and I've loads of edits I am working on as well. I have plans to get locked down and work on music solid when I return to London at the end of the summer. I'm so inspired here.  

NICOLE MOUDABER - REVOLUTION @ SPACE REMIX CONTEST
As part of  Carl Cox’s weekly club night The Revolution Continues @ Space in Ibiza every Tuesday, here is your chance to remix Nicole Moudabers forthcoming release Stomp That with the winning remix being released on Carl’s Intec label.
More info Here

Dates
Aug 28 : SW4 Festival (Bedrock Arena) : London : England
Aug 31 : Space (with Carl Cox) : Ibiza : Spain
Sep 01 : Warung @ Privilege : Ibiza : Spain
Sep 22 : Kehakuma @ Space : Ibiza : Spain
Oct 29 : Rote Liebe : Cologne : Germany
Nov 20 : Gritter Underground @ Sophbeck : Leicester

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