We recently had a chance to catch up with DJ/producer duo, Niiko x SWAE, following the release of their newest single, “Friends”. The LA-based producers have been creating music together since 2017, and have since dropped a slew of impressive singles and remixes, with their latest being released under Hardwell’s sub-label, Gemstone. Additionally, the Niiko x SWAE have maintained residencies ath HAKKASAN Las Vegas and OMNIA San Diego, along with supporting some of the biggest names in dance music, including Marshmello, Kaskade and Zedd.
Check out what Niiko x SWAE had to say below!
BTS: How did you originally get connected to make music together?
Niiko x SWAE :We both actually grew up together but it was when we went to the same university in Dallas, TX together where we really linked up and began to work together. It was around our sophomore year when we began to mess around DJing and producing together for the first time, and everything instantly clicked
BTS: What is the typical process like for creating music between the two of you? Do you each have certain roles or is the process project-dependent?
NxS: It is very collaborative for us, there really is not a defined process. We like to work around vocals so whenever we get a fire topline/demo sent to us, the ideas always begin to flow. We also bounce ideas off each other back and forth a ton. Sometimes one will start the project and pass it to the next and so on.
BTS: You two have known each other since you were young were you surprised to have ended up making music together, or was this duo a long time coming?
NxS: It definitely was a surprise for us. While we were always friends, we never thought we would be working together until we were older and realized we had the same interests/ passions. At that point we finally started to work together as a duo and it just felt so natural.
BTS: Your new singles “Friends” and “The Answer” are a shift in a new direction from your previous work. What has fueled the new sound?
NxS: Our genuine love for house music and producing music that we can play live in our sets but also on the radio. We love making electro pop and the more commercial style tracks along with more high energy festival/ club type bangers.
BTS: Not to dwell on the current state of live music, but what has been the craziest thing to happen at one of your sets?
NxS: When we opened for Zedd, Niiko’s USB didn’t work which kind of threw us for a loop and made us improvise. Normally, we perform as true b2b and build off of each other and our unique interests. It still ended up being an insanely fun night and now we look back and laugh about it.
BTS: Any artists you two have been digging lately?
NxS: Bleu Clair, Retrovision, Marc Benjamin, Loud Luxury, Sickrate, SWACQ
BTS: What’s next for Niiko x SWAE?
NxS: Lots of unreleased music coming out on some of our favorite labels and a few collabs with some of our favorite artists that we are super excited about! Super hyped to get back to Vegas and shows in general too once it is safe again but for now we will keep grinding in the studio and making new music. Make sure to follow us on socials too because we are always uploading new content and trying to make people laugh/smile.
Keep up to date with Niiko x SWAE!
Keep up to date with Niiko x SWAE!
- Get to Know: Zanski - October 1, 2021
- Get To Know: Arrested Youth - June 25, 2021
- Get To Know: ford. - June 8, 2021
