Nahim Bendjilali aka Nems-B is a Dj-producer originally from Marseille. With more than 20 years into the Djing, Nahim is known for his solid vinyl culture and his refined sets behind the decks. It’s in 2018, that Nems-B began to produce and since then he has been signed to labels mainly dedicated to deep and mental techno like Oslated, On Board Music, Accents records, Goldmin and more recently on Lemme records. He also co-runs Phonons, a project renowned for its series of podcasts and events. By the way, Phonons will celebrate its 15 years of activism, on April 5th, in a secret place in the center of the Phocean city.

Hello, a glass of?

Kombucha

Where do you come from?

I come from the South of France, I grew up in a big family with sisters and brothers much older than me.

Your main influences?

Rock, Funk, Soul and Reggae with many artists in those styles.

Do you remember how you discovered electronic music?

Maybe on TV and radio in the mid-90s, before going to my first rave parties around 97.

Your first approach to Djing?

At the end of the 90s, with friends who mixed, I was immediately hooked and they ended up selling me their turntables (laughs).

Your first vinyl?

I don't really remember because I immediately bought a lot of records, but certainly an album by Bob Marley or The Gladiators.

Any ritual before a gig?

Digging deeply into my records collection.

What about “Phonons”? 

It is a project for passionates, purists, those who wish to seek out new talents from among today's most promising artists and those who love quality music.

What kind of gears do you use for production?

An old version of Ableton Lite and some hardware like a Volca beat, Volca bass, Waldorf Blofeld and some other small modules and synths.

Could you define your sound?

Deep, hypnotic, mental , groovy , sexy and above all without compromise.

If I mention Oslated, what comes first to your mind? 

South Korea, my first steps as a producer.

And On Board Music?

Real friendship and a high quality label and team.

How did you meet Lemme Records?

I have known Serge, the label boss, for over 10 years. We are good friends. It was natural for us to discuss a collaboration over the past 2-3 years. A Various Artist album on vinyl and digital release will be released in a few days, featuring one of my tracks.

You made an Asian tour a few years ago. How did you perceive the audience and the scene there? And any tips to dig there?

I've been to South Korea and Japan. The stage and the audience are very high-quality, with highly skilled artists and a knowledgeable audience. I hope to have the pleasure to play back soon. There was the vinyl shop Technique in Tokyo, that I really liked but it unfortunately closed a few years ago. Compufunk Records in Osaka.

I heard that you worked as Art Director…

I was the AD of a festival in Marseille more than 10 years ago, “Le Believe”. It was a 2-nights festival and I managed the Saturday night program, realizing in a way the line-up of my dreams at the time with Borderland by Juan Atkins and Moritz Von Oswald, Moodymann, Mathew Jonson, Ben UFO and Jeff Mills. It was such a great experience.

What are your top 5 festivals and venues in Europe?

Paral.lel Festival, Mostra Festival, Tresor Berlin, Waking Life in  Portugal, Laut in Barcelona.

Your 5 favourite labels? 

M-Plant from Detroit, Axis (founded in 1992 by Jeff Mills in New York, Editor’s Notes) Delsin (The Netherlands), Dial Records, Cosmic.

Your top 5 vinyl shops in Europe?

Hard Wax in Berlin, Syncrophone in Paris, Rush Hour in Amsterdam, Clone in Rotterdam, Collect in Lisboa.

When you're digging for vinyl, what are you obsessed with?

Making discoveries or finding records that I have been searching for a long time.

Fashion or cooking?

Both.

To dress, a pair of?

Penny loafer.

Your favourite food?

Ramen.

If you could have a short conversation with an artist…

DVS1 because I love everything Zak stands for.

Without music life would be…

Sad.

Marseille in 1 quote?

A merry mess (laughs).

Your top 5 new releases?

. Luigi Tozzi "Reptilian"

. Atomic Moog "Blue Scale"

. Dold "Slate"

. Sound Synthesis "Floating Mechanik"

. Altinbas "Parallel"

Your top 5 old releases?

. Jeff Mills "Gamma player"

. The Vision "Detroit:One Circle"

. Convextion "Miranda"

. DBX "Losing Control"

. Joey Anderson "Earth Calls"

What’s next?

Lots of great gigs in Spring and Summer and the release of the vinyl-various on Lemme records with one of my tracks. I also have to get back to work on a new Ep for Goldmin Music and maybe something else on Lemme. A great year 2025.

Finally, Nems-B in 3 words? 

Deepness, Peace and Freedom. 

Interviewed by Sabrina Bouzidi