Nicky Diesel - Deathcrows Vol.2 (Album) + 10 Questions

Photo credit: Samu Venäläinen

Finnish producer Nicky Diesel is one of your favourite producers you haven't heard of yet. With 8 years in the game, and briefly moving to London for 3 years, he has linked with local artists such as CLRBKS. With his sound of Lofi meets Dirty South he is definitely a producer to have on your radar.

Producer Nicky Diesel, currently based in Helsinki, drops new album DEATHCROWS Vol. 2.

Speaking on future projects, Nicky Diesel says: The album with CLBRKS is an achievement for me, Im gassed for the release as most of the beats from the album were made back when I lived in London, so they have a special place in my heart.

Nicky Diesel sat down with Lieu from Wordplay Magazine to answer 10 Questions with him:

1. Favorite Plugin?

T-Racks Classic Clipper.

2. Preferred DAW and why?

Ableton. I've been using Ableton since Ableton 8, the workflow works well for Me.

3. Favourite Song you have produced?

To be fair, I don't really have a favourite song. I try to make beats that sound good to me.

4. Analog or Digital?

A bit of both, fo sho!

5. Favourite Album / Song and why?

I've got a few favourites, but if I have to choose one, it's "Vaudeville Villain." Growing up skateboarding, I'd always be finding music I liked from skate movies. The first song I ever heard from the album was "SALIVA," it just hit different, and I ended up buying the album and just bumping it all day long. It has a special place in my heart, and it reminds me of my childhood.

6. Why did you start producing?

I played drums when I was a kid, and at some point in my teenage years, I realised instead of playing in a band or something, I wanted to make everything by myself. When I turned 18, I asked my parents if they could get me the Native Instruments Maschine for my birthday, so they did, and that's where it all started for me.

7. Have you always produced the same genre?

Deffo not, I make house and ambient music or whatever I'm feeling, just not under the Nicky Diesel.

8. Who are your favourite producers and why?

Hard question. I've got many favourites, but Kev Brown has definitely been an inspiration for me growing up and making boom-bap beats.

9. How do you avoid beat block? / Do you even get it?

Haha, the old beat block question. I'm not sure I believe in beat block, it's part of the process. You can't always make bangers. For me, consistency is the key. I get all the "shitty beats" out of my system by making beats every day, pretty much.

10. Best advice to new producers?

Believe in your own craft, don't be afraid to fail, and do what feels right.

Follow Nicky Diesel on Instagram.

Interview: Lieu