Nige

Photo by Fergus Riley at Itch FM.

Name, where are you from?
Nige - Kentish Town, London.

Describe your style in three words?
British, smart-casual.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
The gigs I’ve enjoyed the most have been seeing friends perform such as Sticky (who have just reformed so remember that name!), Slobheads and Scoundrel (a band Mac Wetha was formerly the frontman of). There was always a great energy there and just a sense of camaraderie, the usual feelings as people grow and showcase their sound, it’s a very lovely thing to look back on.

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
It’s tough to choose two artists who aren’t currently/recently releasing that I think I’d slot well onto a bill with, but I would be very honoured to share a stage with The Clash. My boss and good friend Chris printed lots of their merch, along with many other bands in the late ’70s and ’80s, and even did the backing vocals on the track below. They have such a great energy I reckon they’d get a crowd going and you’d have to give your all if you were on the same bill!  While he’s still releasing I’d say he has enough historical legacy now to put him in - Mike Skinner. There are many things I admire about Mike, I think his sound has been massively influential to our generation and could see it making sense for my sound from an audience’s perspective the most.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
Musically I’m quite heavily influenced by ska and rocksteady, and its journey into Britain; from the beginnings to how it conjoined into punk and two-tone. I used to work in the cloakroom of Gaz’s Rockin' Blues in Soho years ago. I used to play his CD compilations of Caribbean and African-American music in this poky cloakroom and try to flog them to punters all night. This was a real education as I’d make the hours pass by listening to his selection, which was and still is exceptional. Going forward I was introduced to Chris by Gaz, and now help manage MAP Studio Cafe with him - a cafe, recording studio and venue in Kentish Town. Before MAP, Chris printed everyone’s merch from The Jam and The Clash to all of Stiff Records’ roster. I love the intrinsically Britishness of the mix and blend you can hear from The Specials into jungle, garage and grime. It’s such a melting point and I try to carry that on in my music.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
For musicians, it would have to be Tenor Saw or Woody Guthrie. I find it astounding how prolific Tenor was for such a short stint of time before he tragically died, a true trailblazer and bridge of reggae to dancehall and dub. While Woody Guthrie was around longer I think songwriting was forever changed by his approach to folk, which went on to influence Bob Dylan and many others beyond folk music.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
My favourite obviously has to be MAP Studio Cafe. This was one of the first stages I played and also programmed, and many others from Nine8 and Elevation Meditation to Omar and Dawn Penn have graced the place (and we only built a stage this year!). Apart from my slightly-biased number one I have had some great nights at the Shacklewell Arms, Oslo Hackney and Gaz’s at the St Moritz Club, to name a few.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
I personally don’t feel James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem has been given enough credit yet has had a great influence on the sounds of the 21st Century. I think electro and indie would not sound as it does without his input as an artist and force in DFA Records. I also feel that my heroines are within arm's reach with Nine8 - Biig Piig, Lava La Rue and Nayana IZ never cease to impress me both musically and personally. Their resilience and commitment to good music with substantial cultural roots and integrity pushes me on and increases my work ethic too.

Listen to Nige on an exclusive podcast episode 'Sub-London' at All Our Tomorrows Festival 2020. Find out more here.