Spanish producer NIN3S aka Uner is one of Spain’s most forward-thinking creative artists and now, he is back with a project that marks a fresh creative chapter in his career. NIN3S presented “Beginning”, an ethereal sonic soundscape that interprets the essence of human nature across two 9-track albums. This whole introspective journey is about to be brought to life through a completely original live A/V show that will push the boundaries both acoustically and visually, delivering a unique and unique live music experience.
Find out all the details about the show, the creative process, thinking outside the box, his opinion on the industry and much more by reading our interview!
What sparked the need to bring a project like NIN3S to life? Why that name and what is the essence behind this alias?
For many years, I had envisioned a project within electronic music that could be brought to life in diverse venues like theaters, non-DJ festivals, or concert halls. The initial idea came to me in 2014, but due to time constraints (constantly touring as a DJ) and “comfort”, I didn’t take the plunge. It wasn’t until 2019, during a period of personal and mental exhaustion, and a desire for change, that I decided to stop touring, take a break, and start this project. Shortly after, the pandemic hit, and the rest is history 🙂
The name revolves around the number 9, but in plural. Nine is always the last number before starting anew. It’s a beginning and an end at the same time, that moment when you can either stay or change completely. It represents the transcendent step of change, much like life itself, which is a continuous cycle of endings and beginnings. Hence, the name NIN3S.
The live show was completely conceptualised and designed by you. How did you come up with the concept? Why did you decide to undertake an idea that requires so much commitment and logistics, and how do you balance it with your role as a producer and DJ?
The whole idea came from my mind but also from the professionals who worked with me – professionals and friends! They were the ones who brought my wild ideas to life. We spent countless hours “tripping out” on ideas that we eventually made a reality. Many hours of design, finding the best solutions to physical challenges we encountered, etc., but it was ultimately a very fun process.
The process was a lot of: “Hey, what if we do this? What if we make it bigger? What if we add this?” and so on, pushing the boundaries of our ideas. I’m incredibly proud not only of the entire technical team who worked with me for two years to bring this to life but also of the fact that the investment was entirely our own (mine and two friends). There was no external help. This was a true “DIY” project, which gave us complete creative freedom.
The idea stemmed from something I said from the beginning of my “pause”: if I return to the stage, I want to come back with the biggest thing my capabilities allow. And with a live show. Of course, I’m also returning as a DJ, but the main idea was to present something different, unique, and high-risk, as I’ve always done in my career. If something doesn’t scare me, I don’t do it. 🙂
And, above all, something very important to me: to keep growing and learning from great professionals.
Regarding the previous point, do you feel more like a producer or a DJ? How do you think a concept like this A/V fits within the fleeting nature of today’s electronic industry?
I feel like both. I’m not more one thing than the other; each comes out at different times. When I’m in the studio, I’m not a DJ; when I’m in the booth, I’m not a producer; and when I’m playing the piano, I’m neither. They are three different personalities that converge into one “character” and help me find balance on a mental, personal, and artistic level. Otherwise, my head would explode, haha.
Regarding the concept and how it fits into such a fleeting industry, we’ve designed a concept that, within electronic music, draws from more classic musical styles and is aimed at venues where electronic music often doesn’t reach. Fleetingness results from excessive pressure: when everyone does the same thing, the moment is very brief. This has always happened in all art forms, so for me, it’s essential to stay away from trends to avoid that intense but short-lived spotlight. A shooting star is beautiful, but what happens the next second? Darkness again.
Finding balance and taking the risk of “not being liked” and jumping into the void has been fundamental in my career from the beginning.
What do you take away from the creative process, both compositionally, technologically, and personally?
I cherish all the intense creation moments where I’ve gotten to know myself to the fullest, setting aside my prejudices and letting everything inside me out. It’s been a process of self-discovery and learning, of listening and meditating. Lots of time in silence, thinking, researching, studying, much time alone in the darkness, the pain, the joy, the peace… but also very accompanied by all the ideas that came to mind and, above all, a life lesson at a personal level where you see who really matters and who was only there for VIP tickets and photos. This process has helped me clear out my professional and personal life (as well as my agenda, haha) to silence my mind as much as possible to let out my deepest self.
What key elements have led you to express yourself beyond the “common”? Is there any artist or concept that inspired you to see things from a different perspective and think “outside the box”?
The key element that led me to think “outside the box” was the frustration, boredom, and displeasure of being in a place I no longer wanted to be. I didn’t want to be in a booth filled with people just holding their phones, worried about someone spilling a drink on me. I don’t need the pat on the back or to constantly seek attention and approval. My ego was left behind years ago. In my show, I appear semi-hidden. My face and physical presence aren’t the most important things; it’s the shared experience that matters!
Music is a community where experiences and emotions are shared, not a club within the booth where only the “cool” ones can enter and another club in front of you where the rest of the people are. Here, we are all equals, and to be equals, the first step is not to separate people by status.
Many artists throughout history have inspired me, not just in electronic music, but also in rock, classical, etc. If we look back, there are moments of musical revolution in all eras. In fact, we are living in one of those moments where we see many styles merging and intertwining quickly to create a new sound. This mixing of styles and experimentation is a significant part of my inspiration. It’s about stepping out of the established norms. It’s in the risk of not being liked (and not caring) that lies the chance to create something different.
How do you hope ‘Beginning’ will push the boundaries of live shows? Do you think electronic music is heading towards a depth like the one you reflect?
I never have general expectations, only personal ones. Today, many people offer live shows with or without stage production. What we do see is a trend towards shows with visuals. In my case, I wanted to emphasize light and darkness, which is why the whole show is done with light elements. This allows for different experiences since light changes a lot depending on the environment, reflections, venue size, etc. It was crucial for me to create an immersive show where the audience feels part of it physically, not just visually. Even if you see the show three times in one day, you’ll always notice differences.
In terms of where electronic music is heading, there are many niches and parallel trends. It’s challenging to predict its direction. Clubs have moved towards harder sounds and higher BPMs, but there’s another side of electronic music that leans towards less commercial and more experimental trends. That’s where I’m heading with NIN3S, and I do believe depth is important regardless of style or BPM because the connection with the audience is fundamental. It’s about making them forget the world for a few hours, removing them from all surrounding problems and negative thoughts.
If this is just the ‘Beginning’… What do you hope listeners take away from this double album and the live show? What are the next steps we can expect from NIN3S?
This is the start of a new cycle. Counting NIN3S albums, this is the third, so it’s not the “beginning,” but it marks a new phase for the project because it’s time to take it to the stage. For me, the previous two albums were the prelude to what NIN3S was going to be, so this is indeed the beginning.
Moreover, many other things related to art, fashion, etc., are coming. But it was necessary to mark a starting point with this album and the live show to develop the rest of the spectrum I have in mind. So, what better way to mark a “beginning” than with a double album that showcases two of my faces as a composer and producer, based on the Genesis of creation, the “beginning” of everything.
As we mentioned, many other things are coming. NIN3S is not just a musical artist but a concept of art encompassing many branches. That’s why we said at the beginning that it’s not a “physical figure” but a shadow moving through different artistic stages.
