Smelly Feet Records Is A Music Platform Which Showcases Both Established And Up & Coming Artists.
No Specific Genre, Just Real Underground Music.
Smelly Feet Records Is A Music Platform Which Showcases Both Established And Up & Coming Artists.
No Specific Genre, Just Real Underground Music.
Nymra & Sofisticated
Name : Sophie
Country : Canada City : Montreal
Sex : Female Zodiac : Scorpio
Genre : Deep Tech / Techno
Type : Exclusive Mix
Name Pascale
Country : Canada City : Montreal
Sex : Female Zodiac : Libra
Genre : Tech House / Deep House
Type : Exclusive Mix
Interview
Smelly Feet Records: Introduce yourselves and tell us what makes you Nymra & Sofisticated?
Nymra & Sofisticated: Hey everyone. We are so excited to be part of this interview and to introduce ourselves.
We are two girls living in Montreal, who transmit grooves over the city through our “High Heels Prohibited” nights, mostly held at the infamous Salon Daomé, running now over 5 years. We are lucky to have a monthly spot at such a wonderful club. This place has exactly the vibe we like. A dance floor, dancers, booze and not too much glitter. Also, since we are from the city where the "bigs" give a lot of room for the locals to perform, we have been added to the line-ups for festivals such as Piknic Electronik & Igloofest. This has helped, and still helps, put the name of Nymra & Sofisticated out there. We are also pleased to be booked from time to time at a club with one of the best sound systems in the world (((Stereo))), and its little brother, Stereobar. Finally, some would say that we are Internationals because we have been found on lineups for Piknic Barcelona, Italy, New York, Mexico, Toronto and Vancouver. We are working on growing and expanding our reach to new cities, but honestly, right now we are happy with what we have. Let's see what the future holds for us.
"...before Nymra & Sofisticated, there was Pascale & Sophie...one thing we were always sure about, was that we could begin this journey together and handle each other of our high points and low points."
SFR: Can you tell us about when you first met and how you started working together?
N & S: Well, way before Nymra & Sofisticated, there was Pascale & Sophie. We met in our second year of high school, so one thing we were always sure about, was that we could begin this journey together and handle each other of our high points and low points. We are from the east suburb of Montreal and we were stuck there for a while until 2002, when we had the chance to meet a new group of Montrealer friends that were really into electronic music. That's when we saw the light! Don't get us wrong, we still go to all the Rush concerts and we try not to miss bands like The Tragically Hip, U2 and Genesis, but that’s a different story. The two friends who introduced us to electronic music, Nivoc & Romeo Kardec, were the hip guys of the local scene and we were lucky enough to be inspired and taught by them. We equipped ourselves with Technics SL-1200’s and a Pioneer DJM-800 mixer, and since we were neighbors in the suburb where we could make a lot of noise, we practiced a lot. Away from any crowds, and just hanging out as best friends we were having the time of our lives. Soon, from performing at one friends gathering, to another, we finally had our official launch at Stereobar in 2008. It’s all just kept rolling since then.
SFR: Working as a duo, how does one compliment the other? Any advice for artists working as two instead of one?
N & S: Humm...working as a duo is very similar to being part of a couple. You know that thing where two people spend long sweaty nights together and have confidence in one another? Open communication and being able to forget what happened the day before and move on? You know what we mean right? We think it's the same in our case. What we have under our sleeves is definitely the fact that we’ve known each other for such a long time. If there are still secrets between us, they are kept in our own secret gardens with some little exceptions like what's been happening in our beds ;-). Also, growing up together as teenagers has molded us into two very similar people, character and personality wise. We want almost the same things, we have almost the same goals and we have the similar ambition and energy to make it all happen.
Our advice to other artists working as two instead of one? Patience, understanding, communication & respect! Try to find that person that when you look in the mirror you almost see yourself, but the reflection has also some strength that you don't have and vice-versa.
PS: If you are two girls working as a duo, please be aware and not surprised by many asking the question, "are you a couple in real life?" Could be...but we aren't!
"Patience, understanding, communication & respect...find that person that when you look in the mirror you almost see yourself, but the reflection has also some strength that you don't have and vice-versa."
SFR: In every city, clubs open and close - tell us about some of the Montreal venues that have shaped the nightlife in the past.
N & S: We arrived to the scene in 2002. One thing we regret the most about not arriving before is that we missed the whole SONA episode. Our group of friends that we met at the time couldn't stop talking about it and how their night was and how it bonded them. I think this club in particular and many of the "address to be revealed" underground parties that took place have help shaped the underground culture of Montreal. We like to call Montreal the “Little Berlin". We are on the darker side, the local scene appreciates the sound, and we have a house for underground music AKA (((Stereo))) since forever. To finish with this thought, we cannot forget to mention that Piknic Electronik has been in Montreal for over twelve years now, and Igloofest for ten. When traveling, we are recognized in such a specific way..."Oh yeah? Montreal? Where you have those Piknics every Sundays and where it's amazing?"...Yep! :-)
SFR: Talk to us about your night “High Heels Prohibited” - what’s the history there? Any special moments that you’d like to share?
N & S: One thing important to note is that Pascale is 5'8". She doesn't need High Heels ;-) ! We have been dancing to whatever kind of music since we first met, so no question, we always left our high heels well hidden away, to save ourselves the pain of swollen, hurt feet after long nights. When it was the time to find a name to the night of our new gig at Salon Daomé, we brainstormed. We had a blast together playing music at Pascale's house. A lot was put on the table and a lot of drinks were had ;-). When we were exhausted of not finding anything that excited us...TADADAM!!! Sophie looked at Pascale's speaker and she said "High Heels..." and Pascale said "Prohibited." BAM! We had it! Thanks to our friend Mark who brought that sticker for each of us straight from Ukraine.
SFR: How was Argentina? What was the scene like? Any clubs we should know about?
N & S: Wow that was such a trip! The suggestion to go there was made by Sophie. She had heard a lot about it so we decided to head there for THE trip we plan every five years or so. We decided to divide that trip into 3 parts - Buenos Aires, road trip to the north, and then back to Buenos Aires. It was amazing because we got to live the nightlife of BA in two separate week-ends. We had the chance to meet amazing people in the industry there just by sending RSVP'S to the promoters. We didn't have any real hook ups there. Everyone was so welcoming. One of the promoters who sent us an email listing even suggested to pick us up at our apartment. At first we were not too sure if we could trust him but after looking at his profile we said yes, pick us up at 3PM tomorrow...The day after he was there and we had a blast meeting his crew and friends. They were amazing. The venues not to be missed are: Punta Carrasco, which has 5 different venues within it by the water, and Niceto Club, where we had the chance to be there for the 17th anniversary of Club 69. One of the main promoters for the club is "International Night Buenos Aires” - INBA. They were part of many events we went to. Oh and don't miss the PM open air if you like the Piknic Electronic vibe!
"...growing up together as teenagers has molded us into two very similar people, character and personality wise. We want almost the same things, we have almost the same goals and we have the similar ambition and energy to make it all happen."
SFR: If you could throw the perfect party, where would it be and who would accompany you on the stage?
N & S: Oh my my, this one is tricky. Where? Anywhere that you can feel intimate with the crowd but at the same time feel the energy of a big crowd. Probably in a Festival that we don't know about yet! lol! Oh no, thinking about it, we obviously would kill to play at Panorama Bar in Berlin! As for who would accompany us? Didn't we talk about the beauty of being a duo with your best friend ;-) ?
SFR: If Justin Trudeau was in the audience, what tracks would you play?
N & S: I'm too sexy Pouahhh :)! Nothing to add!
SFR: Nymra & Sofisticated, in a few sentences, tell us about this mix you made for us. Where did you get your inspiration. Is there anything special you want the audience to know?
N & S: This mix has been inspired by listening to a lot of tracks from different artists in the car during our amazing road trip in the north of Argentina. Oh yeah, we haven't talked about that part of the trip in question 6. That time off we took away from the madness of the Buenos Aires was just breathtaking! Our eyes were treated with amazing landscapes. We made friends with a lot of donkeys, sheeps, cows and two french girls, but the most important thing is that we finally had time only for us as best friends listening to beats that were inspired by 1500 km of open road! Enjoy!
End Interview