Nicolas Jaar: A Prodigy’s First Interview (2009)
This past weekend at The Marcy Hotel, Wolf + Lamb hosted one of the most intimate electronic music experiences I’ve witnessed: a live set by Nicolas Jaar and the Shooters Club. From the first note, the room was electrified—no one could stop dancing, or whispering about this 18-year-old prodigy poised to reshape electronic music.
Born in 1990, Jaar began crafting organic electronic compositions at just 14. By 17, he debuted with The Student EP on Wolf + Lamb Music, featuring remixes by Seth Troxler and Kasper. Now a freshman at Brown University studying music cognition and philosophy, he’s preparing new releases, including remixes by Ryan Crosson.
The Origins: From Chile to Clio
How did you discover electronic music?
Nico: "At 14, I was in Santiago during Christmas ‘04, chatting with a fashion photographer who gave me Tiga’s DJ-Kicks. I loved it. My dad asked a record clerk for ‘the most forward-thinking electronic album’—and I got Ricardo Villalobos’ Thé au harem d’Archimède. At first, I played it out of frustration, but soon I was obsessed with its textures and groove."
And your first break?
"In fall 2008, I made ‘The Student’ as a high school senior. Gadi [Mizrahi] signed it but said: ‘Do the same thing—just add a kick drum.’ That was the start."
Influences & Vision
Greatest inspirations?
"Nikita Quasim and Soul Keita are everything. Villalobos too."
Other favorite artists?
"Kalabrese, Noze, Smirk, DOP, Guillaume. Recently, I’m obsessed with Iva Gocheva—a band with only two songs, both unreal."
What defines your sound?
"I listen to Ethiopian jazz before producing, imagining what Mulatu Astatke would do with an 808. I don’t DJ, and I never make tracks just for dancefloors."
Memorable Moments & Future Plans
Most unforgettable performance?
"Playing Portishead covers on accordion with my friend Mike Nelson on double bass in the Coney Island subway."
Up next?
Funding flights to bring Soul Keita and Nikita Quasim to Brooklyn.
Second release on my label, Clown and Sunset.
European gigs.
A full-length album for Circus Company.
Surviving sophomore year at Brown.
Any collaborations?
"Seth Troxler and I tried making music once. He cooked chicken instead."
Quickfire
Favorite websites?
ivagocheva.com ("Great new band")
Resident Advisor
clownandsunset.com (my label)
Final words?
"Clown and Sunset’s next release drops July 5th."
Fun fact: The Marcy Hotel, where this interview took place, closed in 2013—but Jaar’s influence only grew.
