With his very unique approach to music production and DJing, Shan Nash is making an impact in the electronic dance music scene lately. Our team had the chance to catch up with him and he was happy to answer all of our questions.
Check out the full interview below!
Tell us more about yourself and your music career?
As a child growing up, I was deeply influenced by my family’s Baloch heritage and the traditional sounds and rhythms of Balochi music. In family gatherings, you would always hear Balochi melodies sung during rituals, religious ceremonies, and weddings. This musical background has always stayed with me and has been a major influence on my musical journey.
When I was a teenager in Iran, I started DJing at friend parties and gatherings. I was making a good amount of money and becoming increasingly popular in my community. However, due to family and political reasons, I had to move to Turkey. Living in Turkey exposed me to new sounds and mixing techniques that I was able to incorporate into my work.
Now, I’ve been living in the USA for over 10 years. My style has changed and evolved over the years, and I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to perform at some of the best venues around the world and release tracks with high-credible labels in our industry, such as Cafe De Anatolia, Pipe & Pochet, Shango Records, Camel Riders, and Rist Istanbul.
Music has always been my passion, and I strive to connect with people through my art. My goal is to create an immersive musical experience that honors my cultural roots while pushing the boundaries of conventional music production.
How would you describe your style of music?
It’s called “Sound of Persia” fusion of Middle Eastern sounds and rhythms with elements of downtempo and organic house music. My music incorporates variety of traditional instruments such as the flute, santoor, hand drums and etc, with electronic production techniques to create an immersive and captivating soundscape.
Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration from a variety of sources. I am always on the lookout for new sounds and try to incorporate them into my music whenever I hear them. The summer months also inspire me with their positive energy and the feeling of everyone being out and enjoying the sun. Additionally, my experiences as a DJ have a big impact on my creative process. When I’m performing at events and feeling the energy of the crowd, it inspires me to create even more.
Describe how music is important to society.
Music plays a crucial role in society as it nourishes the soul in a similar way that food provides energy for the body. Additionally, music can help us understand ourselves better by allowing us to recognize and process our emotions.
I believe that music and sound play a powerful role in shaping our emotions and moods. Our bodies, which are mostly made of water, act as antennas that are receptive to the frequency of music. This frequency influences our state of mind, whether we are happy, sad, angry or any other emotions.
Furthermore, music and sound serve as a means of communication and exchange of energy between individuals in society. It allows us to give and receive energy in various forms, making it a fundamental aspect of our social interactions. Hence, the significance of music and sound in society cannot be overstated.
What is the best time of the day to create?
There isn’t any specific time of day that I prefer for creating music. Inspiration can strike me at any hour, but I tend to find that the mornings are my favorite time to create.
Who are your musical influences?
I don’t have a specific individual who serves as my main source of inspiration or influence. Instead, I believe that anyone has the potential to influence me and my creative process at any moment.
What is the most difficult thing about being a musician?
The hardest aspect of being a musician for me is pleasing my audience. I want my audience to experience the energy and emotion I put into my music and leave feeling satisfied and wanting more.
What has been your biggest career highlight so far?
The whole journey has been wonderful, the opportunity to work with various record labels and to travel to various locations to showcase my unique music, Sound of Persia.
To just name one highlight I would say performing at Burning Man 2022!
Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration from a variety of sources. I am always on the lookout for new sounds and try to incorporate them into my music whenever I hear them. The summer months also inspire me with their positive energy and the feeling of everyone being out and enjoying the sun. Additionally, my experiences as a DJ have a big impact on my creative process. When I’m performing at events and feeling the energy of the crowd, it inspires me to create even more.
What are your latest releases?
Parvaz EP- Shango Records September 2022
Sari Galin- Cafe de Anatolia October 2022
Balouchi Wave- Kosa Records January 2023
What is your connection with Cafe De Anatolia?
Sari Galin was released by Cafe De Anatolia in October 2022 which brought about my connection with them.
Are you working on something new?
I am always working on something new.
Where and when is your next performance?
My next performance is at Reactor Venao festival in Panama which happens in mid March.
What’s the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?
The advice I got from a fellow musician was “Always remember any opportunity that is given to you is given to you for a purpose. You are the best person for that opportunity and you need to take a risk and be the best version of yourself.”
What’s your process for dealing with performance anxiety?
To deal with performance anxiety, I first turn to meditation and take a moment for myself. This helps me to remember that I have been given this opportunity and I must strive to be my best self. When I stand before the audience and see their beautiful faces and feel their positive energy, my anxiety dissipates, and I am able to fully immerse myself in the moment and perform to the best of my ability.
How Covid19 changed the terms of the music industry?
Covid-19 definitely had an impact on the music industry. It caused a temporary slowdown for everyone in the industry, causing some people to question whether they should continue pursuing music, while others found new ways to express themselves through their music, even without live performances.
For me, the pandemic resulted in canceled shows and a lack of performances to look forward to. I had to get creative and find ways to share my music with people without being able to perform live in front of them. Thankfully the music performance industry is now almost back on track!
Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians?
My advice for aspiring musicians would be to not limit themselves to convention. Experiment and push the boundaries. Remember that there are no set rules in creating music and you can be creative anytime and anywhere. Above all, be true to yourself and let your unique voice shine through in your music.
