Naz is an up-and-coming Iranian/Australian electronic music producer and international touring DJ that hails from the Land Down Under, Australia. With releases on Anjunabeats and a passion for the underground scene, her production style is driven by mood and emotion, often resulting in different and eclectic sounds. Her goal is to ‘make people feel’ through the powerful language of music while pushing boundaries with genres and style and sound design.
Photo Credit: Naz – Official
In just under a year, Naz made her debut on the international stage, playing at several high-profile events and venues across the US, UK, Europe & Australia such as Creamfields, Brooklyn Mirage, The Gorge, Piknic Electronik, and Drumsheds, plus selling out her first headliner show in Sydney, Australia at the end of 2022.
EG caught up with Naz to learn more about her incoming releases, plans for 2023, future endeavors, and more.
EG: Hi Sanaz! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been? Where are you based right now?
Naz: Hey hey! Thanks for having me guys! I’ve been great… a little tired, just got back from Miami Music Week, so I’m feeling like an empty shell of a human being right now. I just moved to New York a few weeks ago, so this is now my new home!
EG: Sounds like you had some good times! You’ve certainly have been on the rise with standout releases like last year’s ‘Pluto’, on Anjunabeats…what can we anticipate on the studio front for this 2023?
Naz: Got some exciting stuff happening release-wise this year that I can’t wait to share hopefully soon. I think we can expect a more mature sound, stuff that’s fun, diverse, danceable, cry in the club-able… a bit of everything.
EG: By the way, speaking about ‘Pluto’…how do you work in the studio? Are your tracks inspired by certain narratives or feelings? Or do you view them more like sonic explorations?
Naz: Yeah, definitely narratives and feelings play a big part in the studio and my creative process. As an example, I’m working on a larger body of work, which is telling the story about a particular time of my life and that journey and so it’s been cool sitting down with singer-songwriters, and basically baring my should and experiences, and then seeing how they translate that into lyrics, and then over to me to translate it and tie it all together musically.
Then there are the moments where you just want to make a banging dance floor track that will get even your nan moving… I feel like no two days are the same, which is great for me. It keeps me excited and motivated.
EG: And what is the notion connecting these releases together? Is there a particular inspirational trigger to these?
Naz: Up until now, probably less so, but going forward absolutely. As I mentioned above, I really want to tell a story going forward and also work on how I can tie in visuals to the music too, which is super fun.
“I feel like no two days are the same, which is great for me. It keeps me excited and motivated”
EG: So, how did music production and DJing come into your life? Was there a track or show that pushed you down the rabbit hole?
Naz: I grew up playing different instruments so from the age of four. I’ve been living and breathing music. It wasn’t until a bit later in life that electronic music production then came into play and that was very much influenced by my underage clubbing escapades and just being completely in awe and transported to this other world through four-to-the-floor music!
EG: And what are now some of your long-term expectations for the future as an artist?
Naz: I really want to tie in multiple layers to my future as an artist. Such as creating strong visual storytelling that goes with the music, to one day throwing events that incorporate all of this, and much much more. I’m very excited about the future, to be honest. There’s so much possibility and creativity ahead.
EG: How do you feel about the use of social media today? Is it putting the spotlight a bit away from the actual music? How can we engage in a “healthier” way?
Naz: Yes and no. It can be frustrating for artists who want to solely focus on the music and I completely get that. But we do live in a day and age where, as artists, we really have to embrace the tools that will help connect us to fans and the audience, and social media definitely plays a big part in that.
I’m still personally trying to find that right balance to be honest… and to try to make it as authentic to myself as I can, because I think that’s ultimately the best way to connect to people anyway. The minute you start to portray things as something they are not, you go down an unhealthy road and that’s just not good for anyone.
EG: How do you keep entertained when not in the studio? Have you checked out any good movies, series, books, or albums you’d recommend?
Naz: By catching up on sleep, haha. You know what, it’s been a good minute since I’ve stumbled on any good movies or books, which is quite sad. I love reading, but I need to find the space and time to do more of it!
“The minute you start to portray things as something they are not, you go down an unhealthy road and that’s just not good for anyone”
EG: Can you tell us something about you that very few people know about?
Naz: I am absolutely terrified of butterflies. Like, I will scream and run in the opposite direction. It’s quite sad really.
EG: What’s next for Naz? What particular milestones are you looking forwards to this 2023? Where can your fans catch you next?
Naz: I just got confirmation today on the plane actually that I’ll be supporting Tale Of Us at Echostage this Friday for Factory 93 in DC, so that’s super exciting. Then I have a Dreamstate event in Brooklyn the next evening with Pretty Pink, which is awesome. Working on more shows for the next months which I can hopefully announce soon. I’m just really looking forward to bringing a lot of my planning to fruition and start testing stuff out on the road, musically and visually. 2023 is hopefully going to be a year of growth and learning and fun!
EG: Thank you so much for your time, Sanaz! We wish you all the best for the future.
Naz: Thank you so much, sending a big virtual hug and kiss xo
Follow Naz: Spotify | Instagram | Soundcloud | Facebook
