Erol Alkan’s latest signing to his Phantasy record label is Nadia Ksaiba – an ascendant DJ and radio presenter who’s debut single Virtual Lover delivers a nifty slice of clubbed out eighties pop.
The track, which emerged following a series of studio sessions with Matt Waites, fizzes with all the enthusiasm of a fervent music fan, carrying traces of DFA’s trademark rhythmic efficiency with the tropical funk of Tom Tom Club. Meanwhile, Nadia’s vocals wrap themselves around fragmented pop hooks to deliver a sugary sweet hook against a vintage acid bassline and decaying synth sweeps.
The pair has previously worked together as G&S on a series of releases for Andy Blake’s Dissident label, but this track is Nadia’s first outing as a singer and songwriter.
Nadia explained: ‘[With Virtual Lover I have taken] a step beyond the repetitive dance floor tracks which I'm perhaps better known for. The track came about from an analogue jam session with Matt – we'd been listening to a lot of freestyle and old eighties electro and wanted a strong female vocal but as we wrote it I realised that as they were my lyrics and so personal, it felt weird and wrong for someone else to sing it.’
Alkan adds: ‘I think I listened to this record 22 times in a row in a single afternoon. It's possibly the most infectious chorus Phantasy have ever released.’
The Londoner has already built up a reputation as an expansive DJ, whose unpredictable sets often take an educational swerve through the various guises of house and disco. A five-year residency at the Did We Mention Our Disco club night, alongside Rory Phillips, Glyn Campbell and Den Odell, swiftly raised her chips and she’s since been tour DJ for Simian Mobile Disco, Soulwax and Klaxons and played at festivals including Bestival, Bugged Out Weekender and Stopmakingsense.
Her regular radio show Rhythm Connection goes out on the Dalston station NTS.
http://www.nadiaksaiba.co.uk
http://phantasysound.co.uk
The track, which emerged following a series of studio sessions with Matt Waites, fizzes with all the enthusiasm of a fervent music fan, carrying traces of DFA’s trademark rhythmic efficiency with the tropical funk of Tom Tom Club. Meanwhile, Nadia’s vocals wrap themselves around fragmented pop hooks to deliver a sugary sweet hook against a vintage acid bassline and decaying synth sweeps.
The pair has previously worked together as G&S on a series of releases for Andy Blake’s Dissident label, but this track is Nadia’s first outing as a singer and songwriter.
Nadia explained: ‘[With Virtual Lover I have taken] a step beyond the repetitive dance floor tracks which I'm perhaps better known for. The track came about from an analogue jam session with Matt – we'd been listening to a lot of freestyle and old eighties electro and wanted a strong female vocal but as we wrote it I realised that as they were my lyrics and so personal, it felt weird and wrong for someone else to sing it.’
Alkan adds: ‘I think I listened to this record 22 times in a row in a single afternoon. It's possibly the most infectious chorus Phantasy have ever released.’
The Londoner has already built up a reputation as an expansive DJ, whose unpredictable sets often take an educational swerve through the various guises of house and disco. A five-year residency at the Did We Mention Our Disco club night, alongside Rory Phillips, Glyn Campbell and Den Odell, swiftly raised her chips and she’s since been tour DJ for Simian Mobile Disco, Soulwax and Klaxons and played at festivals including Bestival, Bugged Out Weekender and Stopmakingsense.
Her regular radio show Rhythm Connection goes out on the Dalston station NTS.
http://www.nadiaksaiba.co.uk
http://phantasysound.co.uk