Negar Hamidzadeh, widely recognized as Nostalgix, writer-rapper-producer claims her name to fame as the modern-day 90s âIt Girlâ. The âBratâ and âMy Typeâ singer and producer broke records in EDM history as she performed the mainstage as one of the few female acts at EDC Las Vegas furthering inclusive representation in the industry.
Determined to break her personal records in her discography and self-expression, her new EP, STAR CITY highlighting âLockdownâ with Scrufizzer is scheduled to release on November 17th. The fierce, red-headed party-starter-producer remains creating a new generation of house music with old-school 90s rap, deep basslines, and her exclusive use of bold, flirtatious lyrics of self-confidence.
Self-claiming this EP accurately captures her vision as an artist, this EP is a reiteration of her electronic orchestra characterized in unique ferociousness and female empowerment.
To accompany her EP, Nostalgix has just announced her Star City Tour which is her biggest tour to date. I, Mary Mason of iHeartRaves, caught up with Nostalgix after her performance at Goldrush Festival 2023: Sonoran Skies to discuss her recent single, âWARâ with Rico Nasty, a difficult phase in her career which lead to her current success, and a small reminder for confidence. Â
iHR: How do you feel after your performance?Â
Nostalgix: So good! It was so much fun. I didnât know Arizona was this hot âcause itâs my first time out here, so Iâve been sweatinâ.Â
iHR: Congratulations on your latest release, âWARâ with Rico Nasty! What can you tell us about the creative process and how you knew you had to work with Rico Nasty?
Nostalgix: Thank you! I just really wanted to work with a very powerful and unique, badass vocalist because I feel like to me, thatâs what the instrumental of the record was. So, I think it made sense, you know, Rico Nasty is the embodiment of badass and unique; I was like this is a perfect mix.Â
iHR: You really carry that badass energy as well, which leads me into my next question. As a female genre-bender in EDM, can you describe how rap and house music intersect for you?
Nostalgix: Oh, my God, I think itâs the perfect blend of everything. For me, when I got really interested in EDM and I was learning all about it, I went to go see Dr. Fresch; it was the first time I saw G-house which is kind of like a blend of hip-hop and house music. Itâs very swaggy and cool. It made me fall in love with dance music in general and made me want to produce. So like, I feel like now, Iâm carrying that energy and doing it in my own way.Â
iHR: Thatâs beautiful. To say youâre bold but flirty with your sense of fashion and style is an understatement. Where do you derive your fashion inspiration?
Nostalgix: Thank you! Honestly, from everywhere! All of my influences of what I see day to day, but I think for me, the biggest approach to being creative or choosing what to do is if I see something cool, I lean towards it. I donât think twice, I just go for it. I think thatâs where I get a lot of my fashion inspo because if I see something cool, I can take that and style it, turn it into an outfit or tie it into a release.Â
iHR: Again, you carry such fearless energy. With that being said, what advice would you give to someone who would like to become more confident in their self-expression?
Nostalgix: Thatâs such a cute question! I think you just gotta go for it! You have one life, you gotta push yourself, you wonât always be confident and thatâs okay. But, I think itâs reminding yourself: Iâm going to put my best foot forward and Iâm going to try my best and maybe today Iâll be the baddest bitch in the room, maybe I wonât be, but thatâs okay, but Iâll try.Â
iHR: Fake it âtil you make it.Â
Nostalgix: That part.Â
iHR: So, was there ever a point in your career where you felt like you hit a wall or stuck without any progress? How did you overcome that phase?
Nostalgix: I wouldnât say I hit a wall, but last November I was in this period where I was looking for new management. I spent three months managing myself in between touring and playing festivals. To be honest, it was my first time doing anything like that and I had no idea what I was doing, but I was very much just figuring it out and overworking myself so I feel like I hit a wall at that point, but not in terms of not growing. I was still growing, and people were excited about what I was doing, but I was tired. I was overworking myself to the ground trying to make everything work. It was a one-girl-show!Â
iHR: I love that it seems like you were reaching for something else. Also, I love your track âMy Typeâ, I actually sent the song to someone who I tried shooting my shot with; it worked. Who is your celebrity crush you would dedicate the song to?
Nostalgix: Charlie Puth. I think heâs really cute. Heâs so wholesome and very talented. Cool person.Â
iHR: As a fellow writer, what inspires you to write?
Nostalgix: I think life experiences. One thing Iâve learned about myself is I feel like Iâm very good at writing parts of me that I wouldnât express day-to-day. I feel like when I write itâs like I have this attitude I bring to my songs that I donât necessarily have in day-to-day life. Itâs a cool way for me to express that and get to perform that on stage.Â
iHR: Out of curiosity, would you be open to producing a Boiler room set?
Nostalgix:Â I would love to! Are you kidding me? I see those videos and it looks so sick! The energy would be insane! Itâs gonna happen for sure and I look forward to that day!Â
iHR: You made history as one of the few female acts to perform the mainstage at EDC Las Vegas and youâre still rapidly progressing. What is next for you?
Nostalgix: I think for me, the focus right now is to build my show and itâs been a big goal of mine since I started doing this: is to put on a unique show that you donât get to experience anywhere else. So, thatâs the music, the feeling you get while youâre at the show, the visuals, everything that fits in that kind of world. Thatâs what Iâm working on, itâs in progress, and itâs happening, itâs coming!Â
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