Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Nils – a DJ, producer, and I also work in landscaping on the side. I’ve been into music for over ten years now. I bought my first MPC when I was 18 or 19 and spent the first few years just experimenting a lot. Eventually, I started working with a laptop and began learning how to record music properly. These days, I know how to turn ideas into tracks that really work.
Where can people hear or see your work?
Mainly on Instagram – that’s where I post updates about gigs, DJ sets, and soon about my first vinyl release. It’s coming out this summer on Raw Soul, a label from Düsseldorf. The tracks are currently being mastered.
What’s the name of the track you want to introduce, and who is it by?
Voodoo Ray – A Guy Called Gerald
Who is A Guy Called Gerald – and what makes this song special?
A Guy Called Gerald, real name Gerald Simpson, is a British producer and DJ from Manchester, considered a pioneer of electronic music. He was a founding member of the group 808 State before establishing himself as a solo artist. With his 1988 track “Voodoo Ray”, he played a key role in shaping the British acid house scene. The song became a club hit and reached number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. It’s considered one of the first acid house tracks from the UK and was especially celebrated in the legendary club The Haçienda in Manchester.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Guy_Called_Gerald
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voodoo_Ray
When and how did you discover the track?
I was watching a documentary, and the track played briefly in the background – maybe 20 seconds. But that moment immediately sparked something in me. I followed my digger instinct and found what I was looking for.
In what situations do you like listening to the track?
In all kinds of moments – mostly just because I feel like it. I probably listen to it every couple of days, just for myself.
Do you play the track during sets or mixes?
Not yet. But that could happen – we’ll see if it finds its way into a set sometime.
Is there a particular version or remix you prefer?
The original version from the late ’80s is just the best. There were remasters later on – but I don’t really like those. The original has rough edges, character, and soul.
What makes the track special or meaningful to you?
It kind of has everything I want in a track that I want to keep listening to. Uplifting and deep at the same time. The short vocal snippets, the slightly chaotic arrangement – to me, it’s just magical. Nothing sounds too polished, and that’s exactly what makes it so unique.
What does the track make you feel?
A sense of freedom. To me, it feels very real – not an overproduced club hit, but a piece of musical history you can feel.
Is there anything else you’d like to say about the track?
Yes, a fun fact: The track was originally supposed to be called Voodoo Rage. But because the sampler didn’t have enough memory, it ended up being just Voodoo Ray. And that kind of became a symbol for creative limitation – and how amazing something can turn out when you just go for it.
How does the track inspire you as a musician?
That raw sound, the experimenting with limited tools – it reminds me of my early days. Back then I only had 15 seconds of sample time on my MPC. You couldn’t save anything – everything was fleeting, but somehow that was awesome. It definitely shaped me.
More about Nils:
More about A Guy Called Gerald:
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