Nichols+Roark: "Our ambitions are to create a label and event series that look forward"
- Editorial Staff
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Nichols+Roark transform electronic music into immersive sonic experiences, weaving together rich, emotive soundscapes with driving rhythms and captivating atmospheres. Their sound effortlessly balances tension and lightness, crafting auditory journeys that deeply engage listeners with a strong narrative thread. With releases on prominent labels like All Day I Dream, The Soundgarden, and Selador, the London-based duo has earned international recognition and the respect of tastemakers and DJs worldwide. Beyond production, Nichols+Roark are dedicated to their SHIFT project—a platform combining a label and live events—designed to push the boundaries of club culture and foster genuine connections between music and audience.
Your track "Time+Space" was released with remixes by Fernando Olaya and Gorkiz on The Soundgarden. How did you choose these artists to reinterpret your track, and what do you think they brought uniquely to the release?
We worked with Nick Warren to produce a shortlist with Fernando & Gorkiz being at the top of the list. They are both excellent producers. We thought they could bring a different energy and groove to the track, which they did, and we feel that their remix provides an excellent foil to the original.
Your music is described as "cinematic electronic" with a strong storyteller’s instinct. What’s the main story or emotion you wanted to convey with "Time+Space"?
We wanted to create a feeling of melancholy intertwined with hope and optimism. We are all part of something much bigger and the strength of some emotions feel so intense that they really can’t be explained.
You’re building SHIFT, your own label and event series. What are your ambitions for this project, and how do you hope to make it stand out in the electronic music scene?
Our ambitions are to create a label and event series that become synonymous with quality multi-genre music. We want to look forward and not be a museum for a particular sound or scene. We want to support our artists and prioritise them when it comes to curating events.
Progressive energy and indie dance attitude are key to your sound. How do you balance crafting hypnotic grooves with the emotional and narrative elements in your music?
We love the funkier, more live indie sounding drums and think they can help to carry and complement the melodies that we create. The key to the arrangement is to not stick to a formula or template and to let each track come together naturally.
You’ve released music on prestigious labels like All Day I Dream and Balance. How have these collaborations influenced you, and what lessons are you applying now in running your own project, SHIFT?
We have been very very lucky to work with these top tier labels over the years and have learned many lessons that will shape how we run SHIFT. We don’t want to give too much away but we intend to focus on supporting the artists that trust us with their music by having a defined plan for every release on every platform.
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