Scrolling through the 592 comments posted on Nur Jaber’s 2018 Boiler Room set, one captures attention more than most despite not being ‘pinned’ by the Boiler Room account admin or the Youtube algorithm. Amidst the abundance of “Track ID?” queries, this comment retells the sonically-induced euphoria the viewer experiences listening to Jaber’s set. “She makes me fly every time to somewhere. It’s like a journey. It’s like a fairy story. It’s like the place that I feel myself complete”. It’s by no means presumptuous to suggest that this viewer is not the sole proprietor of this sentiment. For a runtime just shy of an hour, Jaber visibly captivates her audience with raw and energetic techno that primes listeners to release their emotions.
Originally hailing from Beirut, the producer and DJ arrived in the German capital in 2010, and experiences from her Lebanese background have laid the foundations for creating techno music that possesses a deeper message and meaning. A Berghain regular pre-pandemic, Jaber also played a legendary 11-hour marathon set at the home of techno in 2019. As part of our 10×10 Music series profiling the creative forces shaping Berlin, Jaber spoke about the various genres that have influenced her as she’s developed as an artist, activism in relation to socio-political difficulties in her homeland, and the importance of not changing for anybody but yourself.
You grew up in Beirut listening to classical and jazz. Do you think your upbringing and heritage plays a part in your music?
I would also add rock & metal in here, as this was a big vital chunk of my musical journey during my Beirut days and at Berklee College of Music. Loving both classical & rock/metal has shaped my persona today without a doubt, in my DJ sets and in my productions. Launching my 2nd label ‘IFONLY‘ gives musical birth to my 2nd half, where classical and cinematic sounds are expressed.
You’ve been an active voice in the effort to support and donate to those in need after the Beirut explosion in the summer. Can you tell me more about this: how did you feel becoming more political on social media and in what ways has yours and other’s support helped those in need there?
In my personal opinion, music originated from people calling out for freedom of expression of any kind and from expression of what they’ve been through, be it on a national level or personal level, and not just techno music but any type of genre. That is why I also started to write music.
I did not know that at the time, but when I sat down to write music I was creating an outlet for myself and somehow for my ancestors. When I left Beirut, I always knew that one day when I get the chance, I want to give back to the people in Beirut. Finally, the day has come and with that the launch of UMBRUCH, which is an online sale of artworks by 10 artists, who are considered family to me & my label OSF.
They have donated their art to raise money which goes directly to the Volunteer Circle; a social venture that’s been affecting change in Lebanon since 2017, run by Nadine Makarem and Malak Yacout.
If you know what your purpose is in this life, go after it even if it's crazy hard and if you don't know what your purpose is yet then believe that you will find it, you just need to have faith.
How has your musical taste changed over the decade that you have lived in Berlin?
I’m still a sucker for trance but above all, classical, and electronic music. So it has not really changed much. All jokes aside, I’ve definitely had more access to a variation of techno and electronic music in Berlin, especially after attending many club nights and record stores like Hardwax and Spacehall. Living here definitely gave me a whole lot of knowledge of techno music.
Alongside making music, you also write poetry which is often featured on the back of vinyl records. At the same time, you run OSF – a music label with a creative/ art direction arm. How important is it to you to be so multidisciplinary?
For me it doesn’t feel multidisciplinary, it’s naturally all the ways which I express myself, without it I would feel very strange and off-balanced! I feel truest to myself with all these outlets and the details that come into play like the poems which each OSF release, as they allow me to speak out through music and art collectively. With all of these pieces, I am happy and satisfied.
What have you learned from running OSF?
Patience and dedication! Also staying true to my taste and what my vision is.
In an interview I recall you saying that your “music always has a message.” What’s the message behind your 2020 track ‘Until I Collapse’. By extension, is there anything you hope people come away with after listening to your music?
‘Until I Collapse’ was written during the lowest mental and physical state I’ve ever had, and I didn’t even know that at the time, but I’m surprised and quite happy that it’s been a favourite pick from most of my supporters; which proves to me how strong the connection is between the mental and physical worlds of music! The message is: “Don’t push yourself too hard, don’t try to change for anybody except for yourself. If you know what your purpose is in this life, go after it even if it’s crazy hard and if you don’t know what your purpose is yet then believe that you will find it, you just need to have faith.” I hope people come away ‘all smiles’ from it. That’s all I want.
Explore more of the creative forces shaping Berlin in our 10×10 series here. 10×10 Music is powered by Audio-Technica.