Nazariff started creating and playing music as a hobby, creating hip-hop beats on his computer for rappers in high school and over the years as his skills improved he swan into other genres.
His stage name is an oxymoron, he says, “I'm sure you're familiar with ‘Jesus Of Nazaerth’, I thought the name had a lot of impact.” But as that particular name was trademarked by another band, he changed the spelling and loved the way it looked on paper as the word riff has a connection to music.
Growing up, he had countless musical influences, and more so drawn to hip-hop and pop. Originally, he was in a punk band, and in-turn this influenced his outlook on music. For his DJ sound, artists like Burial, and Clams Casino are names he mentioned. But as far as his post witch house sound he would cite Alice Glass formerly of Crystal Castles as an influence for her raw emotional delivery. Pretty Ring for their clean and pristine production and arrangement. Brothel, a pretty notable witch house producer that pushes boundaries really inspired him. And RL Grime for his bass mastery and skill as a DJ.
His passion for music and blending genres to create new and unique sounds that listener’s will embrace with open arms is what drives him forward as an artist.
Nazariff’s new single ‘Your Spell’ dropped today and he comments on the track by telling, “It started out as an idea track I was working on, as it progressed I realised it needed something special. So I reached out to a colleague that gave me a vocal she never intended to use or release. I was blown away by the lyrics' vocal delivery and pieced them together with what I already had and the magic started from there.”
“I feel like the lyrics are personal and relatable, and the production I created around it made it into a powerhouse song whether for listening or being played at festivals. It's truly special. The vocalist doesn't wish to be publicly identified with the release and I'm respecting that,” he finishes.
As he creates music in the new genre of post witch, he mentions, “I've been a fan of witch house for a few years after I remixed a Lady Gaga song and someone posted it to her subreddit calling it that. However I noticed a lot of standard Witch House songs follow a certain static sound that hasn't progressed much in years. I'm hoping Post Witch House will be able to connect the dots between mainstream tastes and the original sound's gritty sonic impact. Bringing it to a bigger audience.”
For anyone coming across Nazariff’s music for the first time, he says his music is, “Dark, Gritty, Fierce with moments of Euphoric Clarity that gives it replay value and personal connection.” Along with all of this, Nazariff wants listeners to understand, “That just because a sound is dark or haunting it can still be energetic and enjoyable even radio ready. I've been working towards that with previous releases.”
As the global pandemic of COVID-19 has put a stop to a lot of things around the world, when asked what has helped to keep Nazariff’s creative juices flowing and what effects has it had on his music, he says, “It stalled them for a bit but I still released a few tracks, it allowed me to take a step back from DJing and really focus on producing.
In the near future, fans can expect a few collaborations with other artists as a producer. He produced for Camille Michele Gray who is a former Logic collaborator. He has an EP in the works ideally releasing this fall, he concludes, “We'll see what happens.”
Words by Danielle Holian