NIHILOXICA AND THE ENCHANTING RHYTHM OF NYEGE NYEGE TAPES

Nihiloxica performed live last week in the MIRA Festival. The music band is formed by seven Ugandan percussionists from Nilotica Drum Ensemble and the British Spooky J, drummer and producer associated to Blip Records; Ben Beheshty, sound engineer; and Pete Jones, in charge of the synthesizers.

Nihiloxica is composed by Bugandan drummers and Western musicians. How did you guys meet? How was the band formed?

We all met in Kampala. I went there in 2016 and I met the Nilotika Cultural Ensemble. They inspired me to put together this project. So, I returned the following year with my partner in crime Peter Jones and recorded our debut EP for Nyege Nyege Tapes.

Your band is directly associated to the pioneering Ugandan label Nyege Tapes. This is a new style that no many people know about. Could you help us understand it a bit more?

The idea of fusing electronics and percussion has always been something I wanted to explore. Actually, I went through many experiments before throwing myself in the deep end to start this project. The setup is pretty straight forward: two synthesizers, one drum kit and four percussionists. The trick was leaving space for all the instruments to sing and compliment each other.

Your music is lyrics-less yet there’s a voice at the end of your first EP which says: “Welcome back to the zone”. What is that zone? Where do you want your audience to travel with your music?

The zone is just like this place... you know.

Also, have you ever considered the possibility of introducing voice in your instrumental music? Or is it something cut off from your style?

Yes, it is something we are experimenting with but we don't want it to be forced. A lot of people have suggested it for various reasons like improving live performances or making some of the tracks more interesting. However, we would only do it if it fits properly. So we’ll see.

Talking about instrumental music, it is more difficult to convey a message when you don’t use the power of words. However, you have managed to create a dark and infernal atmosphere in both your EPs. So, we can see there is a message beneath them. Could you tell us what they talk about even though they aren’t using words?

I think people like to listen to music with lyrics because they can feel more related. So, it always seems to be a talking point with this band… when, actually, the majority of music doesn't have vocals. I guess our music relies on the textures of the synths to travel over the drums in sort of conversation. I lean towards darker sounds in music so I guess that’s the reason.

Having so many instruments playing at once must be difficult to record. How does your recording process work? Do you record everything raw or do you use sampling techniques?

Everything is recorded live, it wouldn't be the same otherwise. We want the music to sound exactly the same, or even better, when heard live.

Let’s talk about the visuals which neither leave anyone indifferent. You released the Official Music Video of Kadodi. When someone first watches the video can easily think that it is the perfect combination of Ugandan percussion and European EDM style. However, when you read the video’s description you found out that it has something to do with a circumcision ritual. Do you always take inspiration from Ugandan culture to produce your music?

Well, I wouldn't compare it to the European EDM. Not at all. Mainly because it’s the only song that doesn't have synths on it. But regarding our influences, it stems primarily from rhythms from all over Uganda plus some influences Pete and myself have from metal.

So, does your music have a bigger intention beyond the artistic? Does your work have political, social, religious or spiritual implications somehow? Is there any critical message you want to express?

This project was started with the intention of getting away from "African sampling culture" or however you want to call it. A lot of people were traveling to "Africa" and sampling stuff, leaving and, in many cases, never following through with the musicians they had worked with. It seemed like an unhealthy pattern that I did not want to be a part of, so the idea of putting together a band seemed more natural.