Coffee Break with Niv Ast
Originating from Tel Aviv, Niv Ast is an artist inspired by psychedelic waves of acid, the attitude of punk-rock and the light headed groove of disco. In the last couple of years he’s been touring around Europe and played in iconic clubs like the Opium Club in Vilnius, Le Sucre in Lyon, the Block in Tel-Aviv, Silencio & Petit Palace in Paris, the notorious ‘Calvi on the Rocks’ Festival and many more. We had the opportunity to exchange a few words with him and learn more about his music and history.
First of all, how are you doing today?
Hello! I'm doing great and happy to be here. There are tons of exciting things happening and I can't wait to share them with you.
We are curious about your relationship with music and how you got into dance music in particular. Could you tell us about it?
My relationship with music started when I was 13 years old. I made the decision to learn the guitar over playing professional football. Ever since then, I've been in love with music. I got into dance music 7 years ago when I started DJing to earn extra cash on top of waitressing in a restaurant. This helped me pay rent and continue recording my music. Slowly, I became drawn to the four-on-the-floor kick drum and the possible combination of punk-rock and techno. All of a sudden, I was creating that kind of music and the rest is history.
When was the project "Niv Ast" born, and what was the initial idea behind it?
Well, "Niv Ast" is my real name, so I was born in June 1992 ;) But I started creating music under my name when I was 18 years old and released my first album in 2011 via my Bandcamp page, where it still resides. The idea behind the project was always to combine edgy electronica with more pop-like melodies and ideas, my own way of expressing my love for both the underground and the mainstream.
How would you describe your sound?
My sound is "that electronic music you didn't know you liked and unconsciously got addicted to."
Being based in Tel Aviv, how would you describe the scene there, and what influence would you say it had on shaping your sound?
The scene in Tel Aviv has been boiling for a few years already, and it's been a huge motivation and creative oasis for me. There are lots of parties to play every weekend and lots of very talented producers to work with and be influenced by.
You recently released an album, "Bag of Hopes," on Band Apart. Could you tell us about the process of creating this album, and the story you are telling with it?
"Bag of Hopes" is a window into my take on modern electronic dance music, where you can sing the chorus and hum it for days while still feeling like you're at a hectic electronic party. My new label, "Band Apart," is my playground for this kind of music, which I also perform live with, and it is a creative platform to explore new
sounds in. It's my sandbox.
Which track on the album is your favorite and why?
That's like asking which of your kids you like more! I love them all equally :)
What gear, VSTs, and other equipment were used to produce this album? Where did the creation process happen?
In my creative process, I mostly use VSTs, samples, and live recordings of vocals and guitars. For the bass and arpeggiators, I love to stick with Diva. Everything else
is a spontaneous pick in the moment of creation. I do all of this in my little home studio here in Tel Aviv, so I can wake up and dive right into it.
You have released several times on Jennifer Cardini’s label ‘Correspondant’: the EP‘I Remember’ in 2020, and then the track ‘Ecstatic Hoofers’ as part of a compilation. Could you tell us more about the releases and your relationship with the label?
Firstly, Jennifer is a dear friend who has been supporting my music since the beginning, and I'm grateful for that. Correspondant is an amazing label, and it’s been a pleasure and an honor to release music there. ‘I Remember’ was a creative breakthrough for me and helped me understand more clearly what I want to make and how to do it - the combination of vocals and distorted guitars in an electronic track.
What exciting projects are you working on at the moment?
There's so much happening at the moment! I'm excited about all the releases that are coming this year on Disco Halal, Get Physical, Blue Shadow, and of course, my
labels Band Apart and New Day Everyday. I'm also excited about the collaborations I'm doing this year with Petit Meller, Rafael Cerato, Omri Smadar, Jenia Tarsol, and more. Additionally, I'm thrilled about my upcoming live shows at Fabric in London and Klein Phonix in Istanbul in June. And the list goes on... I'm very thankful for all of these opportunities.
Last but not least: coffee or tea?
It depends on when I wake up, haha!