The latest release from Nexxus 604 is the third EP, which came out on February 10, 2024. Free your Consciousness is dedicated to psychedelics as a phenomenon in our lives that opens the secret doors of consciousness and saves us from stereotypes. The single track, which bears the same name as the album “Free Your Consciousness,” calls us to insight, getting rid of stereotypes and moving towards dreams, to realize our hidden talents. Free your consciousness, thoughts globally and act in such a way as to make your dreams come true
GETTING TO KNOW (ARTIST NAME HERE)
Introduce yourself and your project
I’m Dmitry Smirnov, also known as Nexxus, and I was born in Russia. My parents were doctors, my mother is Ukrainian and my father is Russian. Generations of my grandfathers were fond of music, my maternal great-grandfather Spiridon Polishuk went through World War 2 and was a famous musician who played wind instruments. As a child, I graduated from music school in the Accordion class and studied for 7 years.
In 2006, after visiting a trance open-air, I decided to become a DJ and began purchasing DJ, sound and lighting equipment. I began organising events and performed at them. Soon, I began to be invited to perform at various events. In the period from 2008 to 2012, I managed to perform on the same stage with many famous artists.
At the same time, I developed a company providing technical support for events. I traveled extensively between 2009 and 2021, spending more than 1.5 years in India, studying spiritual practices and traveling by road by motorcycle, bus and train.
The number 604 in my nickname is not accidental; it symbolizes GOA – this is a special place in my life, where I’ve spent many wonderful days. Geographically, Goa is located in India, and is a historical place where the first hippies founded their settlements back in the 70s and began to live a free life, where, as a result of complete freedom, such a genre of music as Psychedelic trance was formed.
Explain what musical genre fits you best
Psychedelic trance / Progressive trance / EDM
Were you connected with music from a young age and did anyone inspire you?
In the mid-90s, my mother gave me a cassette player and a set of dream trance records for my birthday. A couple of them were DJ Dado and Robert Miles, with legendary tracks known throughout the world.
At that time I was still studying at a music school and, of course, music of this level became something inspiring.
What kickstarted your music career?
One of my friends invited me to an open air in the forest, at the time, I didn’t know that I would want to connect my life with this. The morning after that night in September 2006, I decided to become a DJ.
Tell us more about your sound and how it’s evolved over time
Psychedelic trance has always been the main style for me, because it’s the only music that takes us to the farthest corners of the universe, sometimes abruptly bringing us back to earth and introducing us to ourselves.
No other music does the same, at most other music brings pleasure from listening, but to get the same effect out of trance can only be achieved by engaging in spiritual practices. Of course, I also understand other styles of music, sometimes I play techno, progressive house, mostly more underground movements, but as I say, trance is the main music of my whole life.
Any words you want to share to encourage other artists or producers?
You need to do what you love, what you are willing to do even for free. Sooner or later, success cannot help but come if you do something sincerely.
How do you nurture your industry relationships?
I just make my music, sets and videos, post it online, and then people watch it and listen. Sometimes interesting guys write to me and offer to do something together.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank that’s been crucial to your journey?
I have a team of my friends, with whom I create my channel with. Of course, such a volume of work cannot be done alone so that the result is of sufficient quality. Therefore, I am grateful to my team for their coordinated work and quality results. Also, of course, my mentors, who help me with technical difficulties during the production process.
Name 3 songs you love and what they mean to you + Youtube links
Rammstein – Keine lust
I love Rammstein since my childhood. I have been to their concerts more than once and the power of the energy is simply off the charts. I also try to fill my tracks with high voltage.
Electric Universe – Gaijin Rocker
From the next two tracks I started listening to psychedelic trance, and then I liked the combination of electronics and electric guitar, which of course inspired me to create my recent track “Free your consciousness” and generally make this slogan my motto.
Skazi – XTC
What’s your favourite piece of studio equipment or software?
Ableton Live, Ableton push, Beyerdynamic DT900 Pro, Stable Diffusion, ChatGPT 😊
Name your favourite club or festival and how it makes you feel
Kazantip in general shaped my worldview in many ways, because this festival was a whole movement of freedom and art. It couldn’t even be called a festival, because it was art in its purest form, without any restrictions. The Republic of Kazantip had all the attributes of a real state and absolutely EVERYTHING and more was possible on its territory! Incredible designs, high level of show programs, all the world’s rave celebrities whose names would take several pages to list considered it an honor to perform there.
This event became a significant part of the world rave and was held for more than 20 years. I was lucky enough to visit 8 Kazantips and each of them was different, absolutely indescribable sensations that could only be felt “here and now”. Unfortunately, after Russia captured the Crimean peninsula, where Kazantip was held, the event was stopped. So Kazantip no longer exists, although as the organizers say it never existed, but we just dreamed it all..
The Ozora festival, which is still taking place in Hungary, is of course also a natural phenomenon that is difficult to describe in words, you just need to go and check out the atmosphere. I’ve been there several times and I advise everyone to try it.
Burning Man. This is an event that I have been preparing for for 5 years now, and it looks like I will definitely go there this year. I feel ready for it, and my project is part of the preparation. My move to the USA is also one of the steps on the way to Burning Man. Well, even the longest journey begins with the first step, and I’m almost there. We’ll see you there very soon, in 2024!
Favourite clubbing memory and who or what did it involve?
I have so many of them that it’s hard to choose just one. Perhaps it is enough to visit the territory of Kazantip at 8 am to understand, it’s a pity that it’s not that simple anymore.
What famous quote represents you best?
The hardest thing is to start taking action; everything else depends only on perseverance.
(Amelia Earhart)
If you could play at any venue, where would it be and why?
I think my “anywhere” would be Burning Man, and I’m already playing there. I’m working on Art Car this year, so dreams are becoming reality right now.
Music is….. (explain more)
Music is a universal language through which we can communicate. We may be from different countries, have different cultural differences and skin colour, but music unites us because when we hear it, we all feel the same thing. Moreover, it is not even necessary to learn this language; it is embedded in our consciousness from the very beginning.
One song you really couldn’t live without and why?
I can’t name just one song, because in different situations I can hum completely different songs to myself and there are so many of them that I can’t single out just one. I don’t have a favourite song, I love them all.
Namedrop your favourite 5 artists or DJs (past or present)
Dj Dado, Robert Miles, Armin van Buuren, Raja Ram (1200 micrograms), Electric Universe.
What was your first music memory and how did it fuel your fire?
On any dance floor, the most memorable moment is when it’s just you and the music. Achieving this state is what lights my fire.
Tell us more about your plans for the future
Of course, I’m going to continue to work hard on my content, release music and make videos, and develop my channel on YouTube. I’ve already got a few festival bookings lined up for this year and I plan to perform more in the future.
Any worldly advice you’d like to share?
Life is the greatest gift of the universe. We live once and we need to believe in our dreams and follow them, then we will live a happy life – and the meaning of life is precisely to be happy.
Free Your Consciousness Is Out Now
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