From: Russia
DJ style: “Gabbabalalaika.”
Best known for: “Making the best dental filling in town.”
Fave tune of 2018: ”Dean Grenier ‘Individuate’ (Omnidisc).”
Breakthrough DJ/producer of 2018: “PTU.”

Nina Kraviz is an inspirational DJ. Emerging from Russia in 2009 with releases on Rekids and Underground Quality, she has subsequently become one of the biggest names on the house/techno circuit. The fact that she has achieved this on her own terms and without any regard to fads and fashions — Kraviz is known for occasionally playing old trance records, for instance — is all the more staggering.

Having issued a series of no-nonsense records on Matt Edwards’ imprint, the former dentist took matters into her own hands and established her own imprint, трип (pronounced ‘Trip’), in 2014. She has used the label as a platform to promote new, emerging artists — take your pick from Bjarki, PTU or Roma Zukerman — as well as releasing material by more established underground names like The Mover, Terrence Dixon and the Aphex Twin alter ego, Universal Indicator on cryptically named compilations such as ‘Don’t Mess With Cupid, ‘Cause Cupid Ain’t Stupid’.

Like most of her colleagues in this poll, Nina says that she has been touring relentlessly. Aside from production, she explains that “the rest is my touring life, which has been a bit tough lately, but that’s not new”. Nina adds: “I’m making a lot of music at the moment. Especially remixes. I‘ve done so many this year. Some already came out and even more are coming. Talking about remixes, I am currently working on a very interesting remix album project for an incredibly talented American artist. Plus, there’s new releases on my Trip and Galaxiid labels — finding new talent is a constant agenda.”

Words: RICHARD BROPHY