Interview
N SO is a first generation Uzbek immigrant and has been a driving force in Seattle’s underground since 2015, blending bass, breaks, techno, and club tracks into immersive high-energy sets. Her fluid and experimental style has connected her with a myriad of local collectives, and she is now a member of the DATA-CLUB crew.
She has shared stages with Machinedrum, Teklife crew, Suzi Analogue, Uniiqu3, DJ Godfather and more, driving dancefloors with raw magnetic energy and a penchant for unorthodox blends. As a resident at Kremwerk she curates Plus One, a monthly b2b party exploring new sounds and inviting selectors to push their boundaries.
Her alias comes from the Zen concept ensō — a circle painted in one uninhibited motion, symbolizing a moment when the mind is free to let the body create. More than just an alias N SO embodies a feeling, a pulse felt in the moment, leaving you with the resonance of shared rhythm and movement.
How has your experience with Plus One been so far? Can you tell us about the b2b exclusive format?
So I started my residency back in December 2022, when Kremwerk first implemented them. I was relatively new to being a promoter - despite having attempted some sliding scale events in 2017 or so - and didn’t have a clue about proper marketing. The first night was just me open to close on the tail of a bender on the east coast for my best friend’s birthday (I had just flown back) and that was the first time I tried blending on three decks at once. Still need to get the hang of that, but it’s actually up on my soundcloud if you want to listen. Despite the lack of branding I did feature a lot of really talented locals for those years.
Fast forward to May 2024, Plus One was born. The name came to me after a lot of brainstorming in my notes app but the b2b format was pure instinct. Back when I first started djing the crews around were big on back to backs, often with more than two djs, and there was a real squad energy, so it felt completely natural to pay homage to that era of my life.
From then I was finally in the flow with promo, running ads, and my own flier designs were getting better. There’s a completely unique synergy to every b2b that you can’t achieve on your own, and the crowd can definitely feel it. A surrender to the music, decentering the individual.
Can you share about the multi-genered mentality of your mixing?
When I say I love a lot of different music, I really mean it. And that love moves me to share the many flavors of dance music that keep me moving. I want you to move with me, I want you to hear something you might not have heard before; and if you have, I want to recontextualize it for you. Similar to the distinct energy of a b2b, there’s something really exhilarating that happens when you blend two genres that might have never met each other before. Just make sure the vibe works, and don’t forget to have fun!
Although I respect and really enjoy the hypnosis of a set that locks you into a genre, I feel like there’s a need to switch it up and challenge people’s expectations.
Also, think world wide web. The internet connected millions and in turn their cultures are shared and appreciated by completely different people. One of the biggest ways that has happened historically and to this day is through music. It feels so natural for me to weave a cross-cultural palette, especially as a first generation immigrant, and I strive to honor and respect the origins and evolutions of everything I play.
The other day I reposted a reel of this dj blending cumbia and footwork and I literally screamed out loud. So sick!!!
Having been in the Seattle scene so long, what patterns have you noticed, and what's keeping things fresh?
Something I’ve definitely noticed more recently is there’s kind of a shorter lifespan for parties and venues. I feel like it’s a combination of the transience of the city post tech boom and the aftermath of the pandemic. And even before that, after Decibel Festival had its final run nothing was the same. Way more importantly though there is a pattern of resilience, and the underground is alive and well. What’s keeping things fresh? The youth! And the djs and promoters who understand the need to platform up and coming talent. Without that trust in selectors who are still learning and growing we would end up flattening the scene.
Anyone particularly influential on your time in the scene you'd like to shout out?
Y’all might not like this answer but it’s literally never one person. The concept of community is real and there’s no way any of us would be where we are without our friends and colleagues putting us on.
Back in 2015/16 it was the now defunct OMW crew, the Tom Kha boys - without whom I would have never opened for a Teklife showcase or Machinedrum, and Molly Brooks who was running FWD Wednesdays at Q (maybe one of the longest underground music events at that club).
Later in 2020 it was Arel of Houseparty, now CTRL.MP3 of Volume Ten, who maintained a livestream platform for djs and helped keep the scene alive when we had no physical space to go. Huge shout out to Lauren Taylor of Slop Radio and Bodytalk Productions, she was one of the first to hire me for my graphic designs and books me all the time, most notably when her and Sav brought HiTech out and I got to open and make the flier. Another huge shout out to Ethan Cory, co-owner of Massive Club, for making me a resident of TKVR and hiring me for designs.
I’m definitely missing names, but finally I’ll shout out Jason Code, Eddie Rhodman, and Ross Lowder of DATA-CLUB. These guys are next level and genuinely doing big things out here. I was lucky enough to play the DATA-CLUB debut party with DJ Godfather (b2b Arel no less) and after many shows and b2bs with everyone, I was invited to join their crew.
No matter what people say, Seattle’s scene is mighty.
Can you share a favorite dance music experience?
Speaking of DJ Godfather, I have to say it’s when I played my last track before he came on and he literally grabbed my arm and raised it up in the air like it was some kind of championship. Crowd went completely wild, and as ego driven as that may sound, I’m not sure I’ve ever felt so seen as someone who has struggled with insecurity and self doubt a disproportionate amount of my life.
I wish I could pinpoint a favorite moment on the floor as a dancer/listener but I have been so insanely blessed with live music experiences, I could never choose. One that comes to mind is Djrum’s set at Bass Coast last year; it felt like an out of body experience and I was being projected into the music itself, I could feel it in every cell.
What's occupying your time outside of music?
Full time school, remote, studying visual art and computer science. It’s been a damn journey. I started in 2009 and dropped out after a couple years because who tf knows what they’re doing when they’re a dumb eighteen year old. Started back last year and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. Big thanks to bestie Mirin Doja for encouraging me to go back! I’ve also been freelancing as a legit graphic designer since the middle of last year and it feels incredibly fulfilling to take a self-taught skill from this lil freak making weird shapes on her computer to a real practice. I’m eager to learn more programs in the realm of motion graphics.
What are you looking forward to right now?
Seeing my family for the holiday, seeing my best friend for her birthday, ushering in a new year and a fresh start. My birthday is at the end of January and I consider it a personal new year. I’ve come a longgg way and I’ve got a lot to learn and so much to look forward to. Here’s to our collective future.
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