Let Nora En Pure
take you to a tropical place

Switzerland based producer Nora En Pure creates music that takes you to a paradise. Daniela Niederer is a woman of the world. She has roots in South Africa, a home in Switzerland and draws inspiration from classical music and South Africa’s stunning nature. She grew up listening to Guns and Roses, U2, South African duo GOLDFISH which she loves for their live performances. Daniela loves South Africa’s positivity in people and the overwhelming feeling when she is in the middle of the wilderness.

Interview. styling and photography by Lauren Engel

Growing up you listened to a lot of classical music, do you still listen to a lot of it now?
There was a time I used to listen to a lot of club music but now for relaxing at home, I love listening to piano music. I love the chilled, beautiful music, there is no noise.

How did you progress from listening to skater rock bands like Guns and Roses and Linkin Park to EDM?
Ya I always wonder how that happened. I was very into rock music growing up; I never listened to electronic music. I have two older brothers, they were skating so they listened to rock and I was always exposed to that music. As soon as I started looking for music myself, like Lindsey Stirling, who combined playing violin with electronic music. The music is a bit in the dubstep direction, but I guess that was someone for me who I thought that was doing something really interesting–combining classical instruments with electronic which is really powerful.

You said before you are inspired by South African duo GOLDFISH because they are reinventing the whole idea of DJing through instruments. Do you have ideas yourself of how to reinvent DJing for your performances?
Of course I have many ideas but it’s not yet at the time. I still need to put myself out there and get my name more known in the scene. I would love to at some stage try a live set up.

Why did you want to study criminal psychology?
Coming from South Africa it’s a big topic there. Since I was young I always liked the action. I can’t stand a normal job sitting in an office even though that’s a part of criminal psychology. With criminal psychology, you get into the stories of people’s lives, the stories really interesting but tough. For me it’s not a difficulty to do that job because that’s part of life. I’ve met many people who said they couldn’t do that, because they will still think about what was happening from work at home. I always wanted something with action and I am always curious. I wanted a solid degree in something and my parents pushed me towards that direction. During my studies I started making electronic music and I had a lot of time because I just attended one day a week. I had so much free time which was perfect. As soon as I got better and my tracks became more known, booking requests started coming in when I was nearly finished completing my degree so it was a good change.

Are you still interested in criminal psychology or is it in the past?
I guess it’s not really in my life now but if I stumble upon something of course I am interested. If music ends at some stage and it has a bit of an unhealthy lifestyle (laughs) with flying and staying up late and time difference, I don’t think I would get into criminal psychology though. I love other things like photography and painting..

Oh cool! Didn’t know you’re a photographer as well!
Yes, but so far none one of my pictures are online. They’re only on my private Facebook but I think I have some amazing shots (laughs) so someday they will hopefully be up.

Were you always artistic growing up?
My roots are in South Africa but growing up in Switzerland, people weren’t that open to various jobs. It’s more about safety, having a good job for good money. I’ve always hated this. I cant stand this–living for your job rather than having a job for your living. For me it was clear I needed to find something where I wouldn’t be counting down the hours. As kids we used to copy bands and I’ve chosen classes with singing and piano. I’ve always loved music a lot but I didn’t think I would turn out in that field.

Were your parents always open and supportive of you pursuing music as a career?
My mom always said you ‘guys are so talented, why don’t you guys (Nora and her siblings) make a band, none of us liked the idea of working with one another. At that time we played classical instruments–guitar, piano, drums, not electronic music. That is what’s good about electronic music, you can be alone, you can do it in the middle of the night, you don’t need a partner where you need in the band room and practice. You can be wherever you want and find inspiration everywhere. My parents were a bit skeptical when I started getting into the club scene but from the beginning I worked with a good team. When I started touring, I always had someone with me but I’m independent and focused. I don’t get drunk often and would never end up in the middle of nowhere so they weren’t worried. However, it took a while until they saw the potential with the music scene and now they are really supportive and proud. Even now when I meet people, they’re like ‘oh you’re a DJ (laughs) but that’s not a job for long’, and I say ‘oh you have no idea!’ They think it’s a little hobby but its a lot of passion, dedication, it’s big, it’s growing, it’s a lot of potential and I cant not seize the chance.

Now that you have been to most places around the world, was there anything different growing up in South Africa. What is the mindset of the people there?
It’s very different, even the music. Everywhere I play, they appreciate different stuff so it’s difficult to go for the first time, and think ‘oh my god, what do they like, do they know my stuff,’ but in general I love the South African mindset. They’re super warm hearted. They will welcome you with open arms, for example, having dinner together even if you just met them at the store that day, I love that. Switzerland is pretty much the opposite, you find this friendliness but it’s rather superficial and it takes time to get to the core of the person.

Did you have problems adjusting when you moved to Switzerland?
Well I was very young, I moved when I was four. Even though I spent most time of my life in Switzerland, South Africa has a huge meaning to me. When I visit and when I leave, I’m crying and feeling emotional all the time, I love that country so much!

When you go back to visit South Africa, what do you do?
Every time I actually go to the wilderness where there’s nothing but nature and animals. I love my friends there, we really are fortune because we can go to areas where tourists are not allowed. There’s literally nothing, I love it–there’s no cars, no cellphones, you don’t have reception, you’re just there, make a fire and cook something, I love it, it’s totally different to what we are living in today. I love that contrast.

You’ve been DJing for years now, how have you grown as a person through music and also by yourself?
It’s so much more challenging than what I thought it would be at the beginning. I thought that if I could create music, I could DJ, but it’s really different because you get the feedback right away from the audience and you have to present yourself. I’m actually rather shy and for me it was difficult standing there on stage. People look at you and you get judged so that was something hard to learn but I’m sure it gives you a lot for your life, you grow with it, and you get more secure.

What would you tell your younger self when you just started music if you could?
Probably listen more to my guts, not exactly be this insecure, not give too much attention to critics and listen to our instincts.