Record labels may be complaining about the effects of file sharing, but if Nicolay’s not complaining about the Internet. Based in the Netherlands, the producer linked with Little Brother’s Phonte and sent tracks back and forth online until they came up with what became Connected, an album the duo recorded as Foreign Exchange and received both critical acclaim and approval amongst hip-hop snobs. “The Internet got me where I am today, so I’m far from mad at it,” Nicolay laughs. “I won’t lie, it costs money out of my pocket too—but the possibilities far outweigh the downsides.”

But these days, Nicolay is more than the hottest thing on the message boards. Since Connected hit stores in 2004, he has released his own solo album Here, jump started his City Lights instrumental series, and crafted soundscapes for the likes of Strange Fruit Project and other Justus League acts, thus establishing himself as a respected independent producer. And with the start of his own label, another Foreign Exchange album and other projects on the way, he’s just getting started. In an interview for HipHopDX’s Producer’s Corner, Nicolay talks about the value of live instrumentation, the Internet, and the next Foreign Exchange project.

HipHopDX: First off, when did you first start taking production seriously?
Nicolay: Well, I think that I have always taken it seriously, but lets put it this way: it didn't become a serious in terms of being able to make a living doing it until 2004, after the Foreign Exchange album came out. All the while before then, it was a 'for the love' type thing mainly.

HipHopDX: Well how did you get into production in the first place?
Nicolay: I have always been a musician, first and foremost; playing in bands, that kind of thing. But after a while it kind of became clear that it was tough making a living that way. So I kind of made a radical decision, quit playing and got myself a job, to be able to pay my bills and what not. I started producing in my free time, really as a way to keep the music going. But at first, definitely way at first, I was doing it for myself more than anything.

HipHopDX: What kind of job did you get?
Nicolay: I was working for an internet access provider; first on the help desk, and later managing that help desk.

HipHopDX: How many bands did you play with, and what instruments did you play?
Nicolay: Played with about 4 or 5 groups, I’d say. I started out playing bass and guitars, and later I mainly played keyboards. The last group I played for, I played analogue synthesizers. Continued on page 2 »