Empty Your Mind! demands NickBee, as his album of the same name (minus exclamation mark) drops on Dispatch and gears up for a profound chat with us.
First things first: you do realise he’s based in the Ukraine?
How are you, are you ok given the situation there sir?
Everything is fine with me, I’m safe I hope. Thanks for asking. This event showed that Ukraine contains some elements of fascism. That’s awful.
OK, what about Empty Your Mind, what influenced it?
Ideas were coming to me over time and best of them I was leaving for the album. Not sure of influences really: usually I’m not listening to much of other D&B music, so… all I do is just sit down and start work. My ideas come in the process of the work.
What’s a tune or two you’d isolate from the album, special ones?
I think it’s the main track ‘Empty Your Mind’ and the last one ‘One More Breath’.
But I want to say: I wish everyone would listen to the full length of every track please! Try to be patient and listen from start till the end.
That’s great advice in an age where people seem less focussed. Are you happy to be part of the Dispatch camp?
Yes, of course I’m happy. I wouldn’t make any album if I wouldn’t be happy. I wish only growth and good things for Dispatch. And D&B generally.
Back to your part of the world and also with D&B, do you see guys as having a different approach over there?
Yes, I think the Eastern part of the world is more into the soul. Sometimes D&B can be… simple. It doesn’t make you think about something. It should have an idea. It seems in other countries people become involved in a simple sound, which just makes them dance and that’s all, but what I try is to show a story in every track I make. Hopefully I do it well.
I was calling the album ‘Open Your Mind’ by mistake and it made me think: is that a different statement than ‘Empty Your Mind’
Maybe we could name it as well: open your mind… open your eyes and FEEL two years of work!
I feel that you – like Billain and also Acid Lab – are very unique. You are renegades, you do your own thing. How does that fit, is it true?
Agree with you: we are doing our own things. About 2-3 years ago I found my sound and I try to keep it. I’m not doing any experiments like Billain in his studio, trying to record some strange stuff.
I just sit down and think, work, making ideas. There’s only the pc, monitors and midi keyboard, so there is nothing to experiment with.
You mention growth in D&B, what’s something you’d like to achieve in D&B?
I def would like to be in history of D&B, I would like to create such track which will go through the ages. I think that’s the best dream.
Also as you know I’m almost a doctor and yes it’s hard, but I’m mixing all this activity between.
Plus I want to visit Maldives, awesome place. And to have a safe person near by me during my life.
OK, so wrapping it up, you’ve released on many labels, what’s some experience you’d share?
Yeah, there are many releases on many labels in the past,and what I learned is that some labels got it level and same with the artists on this labels: same level, skills and in my mind it’s a good thing when you are growing with the time you’re there.
You make your musical history with only hard work and patience.
Empty Your Mind
Competition: Dispatch have kindly offered the following to ONE lucky winner:
Both album vinyl plates; free download of the album; Dispatch posters & a Dispatch T-shirt.
To enter, email comps@breakbeat.co.uk with subject ‘NickBee Comp’.
Question: NickBee is from a) Sweden b) Germany c) Ukraine.
Small print: By entering this competition you agree to be subscribed to our mailing list to get the latest news, music and competitions and generally being on top of your game not only on the D&B front but in all aspects of your life and to Rinse It Out Proper. Entries close April 15, 2014
