Willkommen to Berlin, Nil Hartman
Game-player, cat-lover, Berlin-virgin: Nil Hartman commands several hyphenated descriptions, but remains refreshingly uncomplicated. The 24-year-old, born and raised in Lyon, France, headlines the touring Tilt! party in Berlin on April 25th with epic dancetastic beats that take the term “laptop generation” all too seriously.
Signed to Gourmet Recordings, Nil has also been taken under the wing of Ed Banger father Pedro Winter (Busy P)—who ostensibly approved of Hartman’s obsessive video game playing that manifests into glitchy pop tracks like Je Tourne en Carre. After the acclaim for Nil’s first EP, 2008’s “Comme un (presque) printemps,” we can now all look forward to an upcoming full length album. In the meantime, we talk to the artist as he prepares for his first visit to the city.
MM: Describe what you do?
Melodies to dance to!
MM: What would be the quintessential Berlin soundtrack? and Paris…?
I’d have to say Alva Noto’s album Xerrox Vol. 1, since he is from Berlin and it is one of my favorite records ever. Paris is serene and beautiful AND at the same time stressing as hell, so it really depends—anything can be its soundtrack, from grind core to lullabies.
MM: What are your favorite top five songs of all time?
I’d go for: Erik Satie, “Gymnopédies.” Aphex Twin, “Windowlicker”. µ Ziq, “Hasty Boom Alert”. Weezer, “Only in dreams”. The Clash, “Stay Free”.
MM: If you could mix any two genres of music to make a new one, what would it be?
Even though it’s not a brand new exclusive blend: mainstream with experimental/underground music. Like love songs going experimental or computer nerds making R’n’B.
MM: Your favorite musical artist?
Erik Satie. Perfect melodies, perfect everything.
MM: What is important in music?
It has to be emotional.
MM: What is your favorite piece of clothing?
Shoes! When I was 7-years-old I wanted to be a sneaker designer…
MM: What is the longest amount time you have ever spent awake?
Two or three days, I can’t remember. I’m an insomniac so sleeping is precious to me…
MM: What is the best thing you have ever eaten? Your favorite cheese?
Food is (almost) the best thing ever! Honestly I can’t really name one favorite thing, but it’s all about chocolate. And raspberries! Oh and I know it can sounds paradoxical, but I’m French and don’t like cheese.
MM: What is the craziest thing you have ever seen in a club while DJing?
Girls fighting, people going crazy stage diving, dancing and singing my melodies, girls on the boys’ shoulders clapping their hands and raising their lighter in the air…[Ed. Note: We’re thinking this was—heavily—edited down.]
MM: For you, what would be the most awesome thing someone could do while listening to your music?
Whatever is the most awesome to that someone!
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