Nala Brown: The 'Shine A Light On' Mix

Music

We’ve always got time for DJs whose sound is likened to a delicious food experience. In the case of Rotterdam-based selector Nala Brown, it’s the Dutch delicacy known as kapsalon: crisp shawarma and fries, coated in smooth melted cheese and garlic sauce, finished with spicy sambal and crispy, crunchy lettuce.

To be honest, it’s a spot on observation: Nala’s high energy DJ sets—which have recently come via Melkweg and Dekmantel’s Connect series across from Cinnaman—move effortlessly through sharp rhythms, rumbling bass excursions and thunderous breaks, with a guaranteed sprinkling of spice added to the mix.

Alongside her DJ pursuits, she is one of the minds behind Ampfeminine Collective, who through events, workshops, mixes and, more recently, a radio show on Refuge Worldwide, help to create more opportunities and amplify the voices of women and minorities within the nightlife scene.

True to her kapsalon comparison, she takes us over humpday with a mix full of bouncy electro, hypnotic techno, clattering breakbeats and two particularly spicy edits of Kelis and Ginuwine.

Ransom Note · Nala Brown: The ‘Shine A Light On’ Mix

Please introduce yourself… Who are you, where are you and what are you

Hi, I’m a girl named Jacqueline aka Nala Brown and I’m born and raised in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

What does your music sound like? Can you draw what you think it sounds like for us (an image from the old internet is acceptable)?

Where was the mix recorded?

In my room in Schiedam.

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

I want people to create their personal ideal setting. If it’s not possible to do it in real life, then I want them to close their eyes and imagine it.

What should we be wearing?

You don’t have to wear anything, but if you want to wear clothes you should make sure they’re comfortable.

What would be your dream setting to record a mix: Location/system/format?

I would love to record a mix on the beach on a hot day with equipment that is impossible to get overheated and get water damaged.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

Catxor Ta Micha so Ku 1 Pe” by Tota Lopi.

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

I like the set I did at Spielraum.

SPIELRAUM · Nala Brown at SPIELRAUM – Weekender Dec 2019

If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?

Josey Rebelle.

What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?

I got a secondhand Reloop Mixage IE MK2 that ended up being shitty cause not all the buttons were working properly. I now have a Pioneer XDJ-RX2 and a Lenco turntable.