Hailing from the Italian city of Novara, NDKj, real name Andrea Quirico, began his career in 1998 spinning techno at small clubs and private parties in the North of Italy. His early sound was inspired by some of the major names on the scene at the time who were known for playing hard but groovy techno.
Merely Djing, however, wasn’t enough for NDKj, and he was soon creating his own sounds and experimenting with production. In 2004 he met fellow Italian DJ, Mauro Alpha, and the pair decided to collaborate, forming a partnership that continues to this day. NDKj’s first production, ‘Dark Ages’, was released in February of 2006 on German techno label Holzplatten, together with Drumcomplex and Chris Binder. Only three months later his first collaboration with Mauro Alpha, entitled ‘Palette’, dropped on Boxer Sport label. Later that summer he met Oliver Lieb and signed to his label, Maschine. The foundations of promising career were firmly in place.
Following support for his productions by the likes of Dominik Eulberg, Monika Kruse, John Aquaviva and Valetino Kanzyani, NDKj enlisted the help of his friend Marcello Concialdi to launch his own label, Heatflow Records, in 2007, with a music policy that leaned more towards house than techno. Interest in the label grew rapidly and their 2009 release, ‘Main Course’, remained in the Beatport tech house top 10 for several months and was charted by Steve Angello, among others.
Today, NDKj works with numerous labels, including Cr2, Spinnin Records and Factomania. He has recently remixed the legendary DJ Chus and collaborated with the likes of Wally Lopez, Ismael Rivas and Ivan Pica. An official remix of classic house cut ‘Keep on Jumpin’ by Todd Terry received widespread acclaim and was perhaps one of many reasons he was named by Mark Knight as his favourite artist of 2011 and a rising star in 2012.
This year, NDKj has been working with none other than Alex Kenji and, with a forthcoming EP signed to Roger Sanchez’s Stealth records, it seems that household name status could well be on the cards.
Rob Hughes fired him a few Qs…
So, how are things going for you at the moment? What have been some high points?
Hi guys! Well, after a fairly quiet summer, winter will be huge for me, but I’ve played a lot of great clubs and parties this year, especially in Slovenja at Electricity Festival, where I am a resident.
What is the meaning behind your name, NDKj?
Everybody asks me about this! The ND is part of my real name, Andrea, K stands for the key to understanding music and J is from DJ.
You started DJing in the late nineties in northern Italy. What was the scene like back then in that region? What kind of sounds would you hear in the clubs there at that time?
The club scene in Italy at that time was very prolific, there were a lot of clubs, especially big ones. There were a variety of genres from techno and house to hardcore and commercial. These days, though, I’ve noticed that all the big venues are gone and the scene is a lot smaller.
Tell us about some of the artists that first drew you into the style of techno you originally became known for? Which DJs and producers have really inspired you?
There were so many but one of them was certainly Chris Liebing. I still love him now, even though I don’t generally play that type of music anymore.
You established Heatflow Records in 2007 and began to introduce more elements of house music to your sound – what influenced this new direction?
I think it was just to propose something a bit different. Sometimes i need to change “waves” to inspire myself!
What effect has running Heatflow Records had on your career?
I think Heatflow kinda lunched me to be honest. I had a huge hit, ‘Funkest Star’, that gave me a lot of exposure.
What kind of setup are you using to DJ at the moment and what are the reasons behind this?
Always CDJs! I love PCs but not to play with musically. I don’t know why, it’s just a strange feeling.
How about in the studio? Is there any crossover in terms of the way you work live and in the studio?
Yeah, absolutely – I play almost all of my own tracks in [Abelton] Live.
Which other producers and/or DJs do you really rate at the moment and why?
I really love Mike Vale and Federico Scavo because they have a great vibe.
Who’s throwing the best parties these days?
I think that Tomorrowland is the best party at the moment.
What’s next for NDKj?
I have a lot of new projects coming out. Cool releases on Great Stuff with Alex Kenji, a new EP on Hotfingers and a huge collaboration with Mike Vale, with the amazing voice of Marga Sol on Roger Sanchez’ Stealth Records. Plus i am working on something more a bit more pop, but this is a secret!
facebook.com/NDKj.Heatflow
soundcloud.com/ndkj
twitter.com/ndkj
heatflow-music.com
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/108456632″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
