NiteTables Exclusive Interview with NYC's DJ Duo Nathen & Tal Ohana
Nathen & Tal Ohana are NYC’s newest DJ duo and are moving up the ranks quickly. With both mainstream and hip hop influences a set by these two is sure to be unlike any you've heard lately and keep you moving through the morning. Follow them as they take there music across the city from the Playboy Masquerade Ball to Halloween Fright Night at Stage 48 this fall, and read our exclusive interview:
What genre would you categorize your style of music as?
We consider our sub-genre in EDM as progressive house; however, we like to add a combination of hip hop snippets, big room sounds and tribal sounds to our live sets. It’s cool stuff… really gets you moving. Check out our music on SoundCloud.
How did you first realize you wanted to become a DJ?
We have always wanted to DJ since we were little kids. Nathen: I personally fell in love with electronic music ever since I first bought my first In Search of Sunrise CD by Tiesto. We are always researching into what the newest style is out there and try to incorporate that into our style through edits, remixes, mashups or bootlegs.
When did you first start making music?
Nathen: I started editing my own music about three years ago, but it was more during my free time. I never really focused my efforts into DJing and producing music until recently, because I spent most of my time working in nightlife and booking DJs for my own events, Electric Candy Land.
Who are your musical influences and why?
Our biggest musical influences have to be Tiesto, Beastie Boys, Steve Aoki, Dada Life, Notorious B.I.G., Eminem and Dr. Dre. These are all artists we grew up listening to as a little kids and they all revolutionized the music industry in one way or another. They are the biggest influences to our style and sound.
What’s your favorite equipment to use to DJ?
To DJ live, the industry standard Pioneer CDJ-2000s and DJM-900 Mixer… and our usb flash sticks.
What do you think of the EDM scene today and its rapid expansion in the past 2-3 years?
The EDM scene today is at it’s peak and also very troubling in a way with all the haters and critics out there. I feel like artists have to be very careful what they put out or they will get chewed out alive by fans or critics claiming they are not original enough. The world is definitely getting smaller for DJ/Producers and they are becoming the celebrities of today … it’s no longer about Kim Kardashian’s problems or Kanye West. Today you see news about celebrities trying to break into the EDM world like Miley Cyrus, Paris Hilton and Pitbull to name a few. EDM was bound to become mainstream at some point in the United States as it has always been an underground scene a few years back. However, its rapid expansion scares us a bit because as fast as it became famous it can easily become rejected in the blink of an eye.
Do you prefer playing clubs/ venues or at festivals?
We love playing ticketed events and big room at venues like Marquee, Highline Ballroom and Stage 48. The energy is usually crazier at big room venues or ticketed events because attendees are actually there for the music and experience. However, we haven’t had the opportunity to play outdoor festivals yet, but I’m sure once we do our preferences will change. We actually have 2 shows coming up in New York City in the next couple weeks! We are playing the Playboy Magazine Event by Indayo Group at W.I.P. NYC (a.k.a. Work In Progress) on Saturday, October 26, and Stage 48 for Joonbug.com’s official Halloween Fright Night event on Thursday, October 31st.
What do you do when you’re not DJing an event or making music?
Nathen: I’ve been working in nightlife for over 5 years already, so that has been my main occupation whenever I am not DJing or making music.
Do you still get nervous before a performance?
The feeling of nervousness never fails to appear before a show. It’s always the anticipation of standing before a packed out room and those few seconds right before you press play that gives us that uncontrollable adrenaline rush before every show.
What is your ultimate goal while performing, what is it that you want to get from your crowd?
Our goal is to deliver a set that is different from sets other people in our genre plays. Whenever we play, our goal is to have everyone in the venue to be singing and dancing with us from the beginning of our set to the end of the set!
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- Sarah Remesch