Release Radar: Nima Gorji - It's True [CADENZA138]

Few artists embody the spirit of the underground quite like Nima Gorji. From his early years discovering electronic music in Denmark to becoming a familiar presence within Ibiza’s underground scene, he has spent decades refining a sound rooted in groove, authenticity and dance floor connection. Now making his debut on Cadenza with It’s True, we caught up with Nima to discuss his musical journey, the influence of Ibiza and what joining the label means to him.

Looking back, what first drew you towards electronic music and life behind the decks?

In my early teens, while growing up in Denmark, I became fascinated with synthesizers and electronic music. I discovered artists like Depeche Mode, Yazoo and New Order, and I was immediately drawn to that sound and aesthetic. A few years later, around the age of 16 or 17, I was introduced to DJing and spinning vinyl records. From the moment I learned how to blend two records together, I completely fell in love with it. It opened up a whole new world for me, not just the music itself, but the culture, the creativity and the lifestyle that came with electronic music. From that point on, I knew this was something I wanted to dedicate myself to.

Having grown up between different cultures, do you feel your background has influenced the way you approach music and the dance floor?

Being born in Iran and having a musician father played a huge role in shaping my musical background. My father was a guitar player, and some of my earliest memories are of spending time in rehearsal rooms and backstage at his concerts. Music was always present around me from a very young age and those experiences left a lasting impression on me. Growing up with the sounds of 1970s Persian pop music definitely influenced my taste and musical sensibility.

Later, moving between different cultures and countries gave me a broader perspective on music and people. I think that naturally found its way into how I approach the dance floor today. I’ve always been drawn to music that brings people together regardless of where they come from, and I try to reflect that openness and diversity in my sets.

You’ve spent many years connected to Ibiza’s underground culture. What influence has the island had on your musical journey over the years?

I moved to Ibiza in early 2004 and quickly became involved in the island’s underground scene. One of the main reasons I moved here was because artists like Ricardo Villalobos and Luciano were playing regularly on the island, and events such as Cocoon at Amnesia represented a sound and atmosphere that I deeply connected with. I had already been following both artists and the emerging minimal movement since the late 1990s, so Ibiza felt like the natural place to be. Being surrounded by so many talented DJs, producers, promoters and music lovers pushed me to develop both personally and professionally.

Your latest release marks your debut on Cadenza. What does joining the label mean to you personally at this stage of your career?

It means a lot to me. Back in the early days of the label, I was buying and playing Cadenza records regularly, and I still have many of those vinyls in my collection today. Releases like Luciano & Quenum’s Orange Mistake, as well as Stone Age by Lucien-N-Luciano and Pier Bucci, were records that had a real impact on me and became part of my musical journey. To now have my own music released on Cadenza feels very special. It’s a label I’ve respected and followed for many years. 

We love the track! It’s True is fun, quirky, deep and carrying that distinctive Nima groove. What was it about the track that made you feel it belonged on Cadenza?

It was actually a lot of fun to make. When I was asked to send some music to the label, I felt that if I was going to approach Cadenza, it had to be something hypnotic, groove driven and vocal led, while still sounding like my own thing. Most importantly, it had to be something true. The idea for the vocal came from a speech I was listening to. I sampled part of it and then added some of my own voice in the background to give it a more personal touch. Once that phrase was there, the track almost named itself, it had to be called It’s True. :)

You’ve witnessed many changes within electronic music over the years. What aspects of underground culture do you feel are most important to preserve today?

For me personally, the most important thing to preserve is the music and the culture around it. These days, there is often so much focus on social media, follower counts, marketing and DJ personalities, that we risk losing sight of what brought us all together in the first place. The essence of underground electronic music has always been about the music, the dance floor, the community. Of course, times change and technology evolves, but I believe we should never forget our roots. Preserving the culture, supporting the music, and keeping the focus on artistic expression rather than popularity is essential if we want the underground scene to maintain its identity and spirit.

Outside of music, how do you like to disconnect and recharge creatively?

Music is such a big part of my life that it’s sometimes difficult to completely disconnect from it, but when I do, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, being in nature, going for walks, and simply slowing things down a bit. I also enjoy listening to all kinds of music outside of what I play professionally, digging for records, watching documentaries, and political podcasts. I find that inspiration often comes when you’re not actively looking for it.

What can we expect from Nima Gorji over the coming months? Any upcoming releases, projects or plans you can share with us?

The coming months are all about the summer season, so I’m looking forward to being busy with gigs, events and connecting with people on dance floors around the world. At the same time, I’ll be spending as much time as possible working on new music. I’m planning more releases on my own label, NG TRAX, which continues to be an important platform for me to share music that reflects my vision and sound.

Check out It's True on Beatport and Bandcamp.