Out The Box: NIIX

For our latest Out The Box feature, we caught up with Manchester-based music artist, DJ and producer NIIX, who was fresh off the back of attending & playing at this years We Out Here Festival (a firm fave of ours here at Paper!). She gave us the lowdown on the things she likes to check out when not working on music, which is tough, seeing as though she is 24/7 involved in DJing, radio hosting, performing & much more!

Inspired by the likes of Shygirl, Arca and Surusinghe, her debut EP ‘I’ has received radio-play on NTS, BBC Introducing and more, as well as making Spotify’s New Music Friday UK editorial playlist. 2021/22 has seen NIIX DJ at Gottwood Festival, Africa Oyé and Audio Farm, alongside live performances and DJ support slots for Leon Vynehall, Max Cooper and Jenny Hval.

As well as monthly residencies on Melodic Distraction, Steam Manchester and Aaja Radio, NIIX is also co-founder of Dubs Club, a North West-based meet-up group for gender minorities to share their electronic music productions.

Oooh, this is hard – it really depends on what mood I’m in! If I’m feeling boujee it’s a trip to Sanskruti, an all veggie Indian in Withington – the jackfruit curry slaps every time. Shout out to This n That, a staple of Manchester’s food scene! Also, Waka Waka Noodles in Levenshulme – the mock chicken is just 🤌

Delamere Forest in Cheshire is stunning and always a nostalgic visit for me. I grew up nearby and used to do orienteering there with the school as part of P.E lol. Formby Beach is unbeatable; it’s hard to believe you’re in Liverpool when you’re lying on the softest, golden dunes soaking up the sounds of the ocean. I also visited Lumb Falls in Hebden Bridge recently for a spot of wild swimming. I was in awe of its beauty and its a little haven of paradise.

It’s got to be Junji Ito’s horror manga UZUMAKI. I’m obsessed with anything horror, and this is veeeeery creepy/fucked up. The illustrations, though, as disturbing as some of them are, they’re absolutely beautiful. If you’re looking to get into either manga or horror, I reckon this is a good starting point.

Me and some friends recently watched a film called ‘The Vast of Night’ after some deep scouring of Rotten Tomatoes. It’s a sci-fi thriller set in the 1950s about a radio host who discovers a strange-sounding frequency. I had never heard of it before, so I had low expectations, but it’s honestly BLEW OUR MINDS – we were hooked from start to finish. You follow the characters’ discoveries in real time, so you’re literally on the edge of your seat. An impressive directorial debut from Andrew Patterson, I highly recommend it (especially if you’re a lil space freak and fascinated by the unknown like me).

Thanks, NIIX; we think you’re great!