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14 FAKTS INTERVIEW WITHNICO LAHS

24/05/2023

Q: Please introduce yourselves.

Hello, Nicola Loporchio aka Nico Lahs here (some may know me as Cosmic Garden too), DJ and producer from Bari (South Italy), in the music business for over 15 years now.


Q: One person you'd dream to have a coffee with and why?

I wish I could have another coffee with my brother Paul Johnson who unfortunately passed away almost two years ago. I haven’t had a chance to have one last blunt with him since the last time we played together at a party in Amsterdam in 2019 during ADE, before the pandemic.

Q: If you were to have a superpower, what would it be and why?

Wish I never had to resort to using medicine, to always be healthy and in top notch form and devote solely time to making music. 

Q: If you would have been given the chance to do a film score, what movie would you choose and why?

“Django” by Quentin Tarantino. It’s a compelling film of revenge that can be easily associated with everyone’s life and that can be a lesson for all. And after all, it’s a film by Quentin, with its own unique style. I think everyone would work with him once in their lives.

 

Q: Who influenced you the most in your music career? And who influenced you the most in your personal life?

First influence in my music career was my father. He introduced me to music and drums and I started studying it because of him. When I was a teenager and started learning about DJing and music production, I was fascinated by the early Italo house productions and by the Detroit/Chicago scene of the late 80’s / early 90’s and, for sure, some of the artists who played a key role in my personal growth were DonCarlos, Key Tronics Ensemble, Moz-Art, Larry Heard, Underground Resistance,  J Dilla… just to name a few. There are many more!

 

Q: Tell us about your journey, the good and the bad that got you to where you are today.

Life ain’t easy. All of us have moments of ups and downs. Surely in the best moments we sometimes fail to even fully appreciate that moment. In the bad moments surely we go through redemption but that can lead to improvement and growth with strength and positive energy. Myself, like everyone else, has lived and still live through ups and downs..

 

Q: Everyone goes through ups and downs, what’s one habit you adopt to push through the downs?

Listening to good music and trying to decompress my mind, finding my balance again… and smoking some weed, for sure, does a good job for me. 

Q: What is one pro work ethic that you would recommend to the readers/listeners?

Passion, perseverance and consistency. 

Q: How has your music style evolved over the years?

When I started, my production style was totally addressed for club use and it was intended for the peak time hours. I think to date I have touched and tested the most diverse shades of deep house, but I’ve also played with all the genres, from techno to funk, jazz, broken beat, drum ‘n bass, jungle… I mean, I like a lot of music and sometimes I want to test myself to see what I can do. I gave birth to many projects and aliases (just make a quick check on my Discogs and you’ll find ‘em all) and each one is characterized by its own sound. I don’t like boundaries and that’s what gives me total freedom to do whatever I want. For sure, my trips around the world have played a key role in my style and sound’s evolution.

 

Q:If you had to follow another music genre, which one would you pick and why?

Of course, hip-hop or R&B. I feel those genres are really connected to my roots. It would be really cool and challenging to try my hand at working with singers from another culture (than my own) and genre.


Q: What are 3 tracks that got you into electronic music and why?

It’s kind of impossible to pick only 3 tracks, lol, but I’ll try my best.

 

1. Mr. Fingers – Can You Feel It (1988)

For sure, this has been one of the very first innovative house tracks. When I first heard it, I remember this record that had a musical magic but, at the same time, had a groove that kept the dancefloor dancing.

2. Kraftwerk – Tour De France (1983)

Here you can find the classic Kraftwerk signature with their unique style. This record always kept me flying.

3. Kenlou - Gimme Groove (1995)

The energy this record conveyed to me when I was still young on the dance floor made me want to try my hand at DJing.

 

Q: Recommend a hidden gem in your home country that would fit a perfect rave?

Rhythm Of Paradise and D3070.

 

Q: Tell us about your upcoming releases and plans for this year.

As you already know, I’m releasing my “Holy Day” 12-inch via legendary Roy Davis Jr.’s imprint, Undaground Therapy Muzik. I’m about to launch my label, U FIT, with two EPs (actually waiting for the TPs, so we’re almost there – once I approve them, I’ll be able to say the release dates). Then I’ve got some releases signed with Local Talk, D3 Elements, NDATL Muzik, Bangin Traxx (UTM’s sub-label), quintessentials, Syncrophone/Phonogramme, plus much more in the finalization stage.  

Q: Tell us a fun fact about yourself that most of your listeners don’t know.

I am my own ghost producer, lol.  

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