Jesika Jane & NEM3SI$: the raving family is full of passion, love and acceptance

Radio Intense is happy to present you two talents based in the UK - Jesika Jane & NEM3SI$.

Jesika Jane heralds from a long-standing successful career in underground dance music and has delved into multiple genres under various aliases, as both a producer and DJ. In 2019 she turned her attention to Techno and dedicated all her time to hone her production skills and prepare an onslaught of releases. Within a few months her dedication paid off and saw her sign releases and remixes to illustrious labels such as: Prospect Records, Flatlife Records, Pure Dope Digital, Subwoofer Records, UFO Recordings and the legendary Bush Records.

Nem3si$ has had music running through his veins since the age of 4. Making music under different aliases in many genres, his tracks varied greatly in style but had one constant in common - they were all highly successful. Scoring club hit after club hit, Nem3sis's tracks, under his various guises were everywhere - and most DJs had at least one of his creations in their record box. From the hardcore music of Underground Nation of Rotterdam, to the melodic trance anthems of Steve Morley, the floor fillers of Clubbers Delight to the pure psychedelic sound of System E & Sons of Shiva- Nem3si$ had made his mark. Already performing from a young age, it was inevitable he would take his place behind the decks and become a much loved and highly rated DJ, raising roofs at some of the most renowned events around the globe.

Check their interview right now below!
— Hello! How are you doing? Thanks for being with us today.
— Jessica: Hi Olly, I'm good thank you, hope all's well with you too! I'm keeping myself busy with lots of productions, practicing mindfulness and looking after my 19-month boy!
— Alici: Hi Olly, I'm very good! Thanks for asking and I hope all is well with you too. At the moment I'm spending most of my time looking after our son and keeping up with productions.
— So, how did both of you start your path in techno industry? Why did you choose exactly techno as a driving engine of your music career?
— Jessica: Well, my love of dance music begun when I was 14 years old and I heard legendary acts like The Prodigy & Bizarre Inc on Top of the Pops. I began buying records back then when they were vinyl 7"! When I was 17, I spent my childhood savings on my first pair of decks (which were belt drives!) & learnt how to mix. From there on I was hooked and when I went to my first rave this further fueled my love and interest in DJing. I was captivated by the DJs I saw and heard, but it took many years before I had the confidence to play out myself. When I met my husband; he taught me how to mix better on direct drives and also how to produce tracks, then later I studied Music Technology at the University of West London – that really helped me to hone my skills. But equipment & software is constantly evolving and so I am still learning and probably always will be. I've always loved all different dance music genres; and over the years have produced house, hard house, trance, psy-trance and my biggest love of all – techno! The reason I'm now focused on techno is because I feel it is the genre that allows me to be as innovative and experimental as I like. Sometimes I want to make dark hard twisted tracks, other times more driving and hypnotic and occasionally I feel like adding more emotion and melodies to my tracks – with techno I can do all of this and more! This keeps it exciting.

— Alici: I started my career in 1992 when after visiting a club with a good friend I discovered what we then all called House music, even though a lot of the music would now be put in one of the many other genres. My first release became a club hit and I was very lucky that everything I produced after that did extremely well, live PA and DJ set requests followed rapidly. Over the years that followed I released many records in various genres such as Gabber, Techno, Trance and even commercial dance music. My love for music stems from my childhood where I trained as a classical pianist and had great support from my parents allowing me to try new things like synthesizers, drum machines and playing live. That was when I got hooked on performing which after discovering the rave scene made me fall in love with DJing, which still is what I love doing the most. After a long journey through the various genres, I felt something was missing and I had lost the feeling for what I was doing at the time. My wife (Jessica) made me think of what I loved in the past and what made me feel excited again, & that was the day I returned to Techno. It's for me the only genre where I can be myself, where I can create without real boundaries set by a scene – where I can be free and excited about everything I do. I also feel as a DJ I can be more open minded with what I play without people scrutinizing if it fits in with what everyone else is doing.
— In your opinion, what is the one thing every track must have for it to be solid?
— Jessica: choosing one thing is difficult as there are so many elements that make the track 'work', but I know getting the drive is of paramount importance. If the basic bed of the track isn't solid then the sounds and lines you add to it will never sound as powerful or impactful and so it won't transcend to your audience and the dancefloor.

— Alici: I think for me too it's incredibly important to have the right kick and percussion – the right drive – it determines if something transcends to the dancefloor. If it doesn't make me groove in the studio it will never make people move in a club or at a rave. Once this is done it can also be important depending on what direction you want to go to have a killer hook, which can be as simple as 2 or 3 notes, something for people to recognize.
— Your new release "Generation X" has been recently out on Set About. There are two tracks on the EP. How would you describe them?
— Jessica: Both tracks are rocking, driving and hypnotic. 'Generation X' is dedicated to all the ravers who have temporarily had their wings clipped due to the pandemic. To me raving is more than a fun thing to do. It's a way of life, and we are all part of one big tribe who come together and unite by escaping to a wonderland on the dancefloor. The raving family are full of passion, love, and acceptance as well a desire to be in the moment and let it all go. This paradise world has been paused due to the pandemic, and I know many are struggling with this. It's tough at times and almost feels as if life has stood still, but we're hanging in there as we know better days are ahead and we will all come together and dance again – and that first party is going to be an absolute blast! 'Dancing Is A Revolution' is a statement about those that try to control us, and have no regard for our scene, just because they can't understand us and are so full of fear. I hope that one day the powers that be will accept that they can close our clubs, shut down our parties and offer no support to us as an industry – but they will never defeat us, as we will always find a way to do what we love and 'fight for our right to parteeeee!'

— Alici: For me 'Generation X' is like an anthem for all the ravers around the globe, a reminder that we're still together, in a way, even though we can't physically be at the moment. I feel Covid has made it extremely hard for people to express themselves and be free, something our scene was built on – it is causing many of us to struggle mentally and many are finding it hard to believe there is a way out and to keep strong. This track reminds even myself on darker days that our way of life will return in the not-too-distant future, and that I will be back in the DJ booth hopefully very soon. 'Dancing Is A Revolution' is aimed at the establishment which is using the pandemic to kill our movement and subject us to their will. It' like a reminder to everyone and ourselves that no one will ever succeed to control us, to cage us, as long as we have our feet and our music. At the end of the day Techno is a way of life, not just a party!
— It is not your first release on Set About. What do you like about the label?
— Jessica: First and foremost, I love the music that Set About release – the tracks are always fresh, powerful and consistent quality, the sound really resonates with me. I also have a big respect for the whole team; who have proven to be professional, hardworking and passionate. As an artist your tracks are more than a piece of music – they are expressions of your innermost soul, and it's reassuring to know Set About will do all they can to support you and the release. Releasing on their label has been a huge highlight in my music career and helped inspire and motivate me even more. I definitely feel blessed that they believe in my sound.

— Alici: For me Set About is one of the few really open minded and professional labels in the industry, they release music they like and are not just looking at how many likes or followers you have on social media or how big the hype is around you at the time. They listen and judge the music rather than the person or status, something I feel has gotten lost since the founding days of the rave scene. I also admire their work ethic and consistency when it comes to promoting their releases and supporting their artists, it really makes you feel they understand how important your music is to you. It's a great feeling to know the label believes in what you do.
— Any other interesting projects coming up soon?
— Jessica: Yes – lots! I have a new DJ mix being broadcast soon, a couple of imminent releases on our own label Onhcet Republik/Xtreme, and a remix I am currently working on for another label. As well as of course; - the follow up to the 'Generation X' EP! It's all very exciting – I just need more hours in the day! ☺

— Alici: Definitely! I have a new release coming on our label Onhcet Republik Xtreme and I'm working on a new solo EP as well as the follow up to 'Generation X' EP which is slowly starting to take shape. Last but not least there will finally be a new DJ mix which I'm very excited about as due to Covid the studio took priority, and gave me some time to catch up on projects and improvements. Slowly but surely things will come back to life, hopefully sooner rather than later - as I still have many tracks to write, many gigs to play and many hearts to touch!