The inimitable creator and producer nøll has recently put out his EP the empty set, which we love. This four-track collection comes dripping in unique energy and soul, and pushes him firmly into the spotlight.
We spoke to him about it to hear more…
Hey, good to chat! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself… what is your signature sound?
There are specific sounds that I really like using in my songs, but when people start calling them my signature sound, I know it’s time to innovate the next idea. Because I want to be constantly evolving, I think of it as working to make my old sounds obsolete. However, right now I’m really feeling layered harmonies, trippy synth glides, and tight percussion.
What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned since you started making music? What have been some of the challenges so far?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that when it comes to producing, talent is nowhere nearly as important as practice. For the longest time, I thought there was a talent barrier between me and my music idols. I learned that it isn’t like that. The more you practice, the better you get at producing. It’s ultimately the culmination of thousands of techniques, hours, and practice you build up over time. I guess that’s also the challenge because anyone out there working harder than me is going to become a better producer. Better make sure that doesn’t happen!
Do you remember what first got you into wanting to create music? What do you listen to when you’re not making it?
I’ve been involved in music my whole life. I played violin, piano, and guitar in orchestras and bands since middle school. I started writing and producing in college. Raving was what really changed it for me. It blew my mind how one person on the stage could set the vibe for thousands of people. In terms of personal music listening, I’m always looking for new music, but right now I’m listening to a lot of Jeremy Zucker.
Your new EP the empty set is making waves right now. How long did it take you to put together and did you enjoy making it?
I worked on it for about a year. It’s my first time making a cohesive body of work and that feeling is amazing.
What’s the story behind it?
A null or empty set in statistics represents something that is undefined in its content but is static in its framework. The name “nøll” and the symbol “{ }” come from the mathematical representation of an empty set. These sets are empty, but they don’t have to be. They are made to be filled, made to be defined. In other words, the nøll brand and the empty set EP embody a platform for me to infuse with creative energy.
Did you enjoy working with the featured vocalists? Do you have any new collaborations in the works?
Working with Aidan and Khoa was a really great experience. It’s really beneficial to have someone to bounce ideas off of. I do have collaborations in the works, but for now I’m going to focus on completing the entire record by myself.
Lastly, what have you got coming up next?
Expect a slew of unique singles coming out in 2018!
