Fractal Noise & Radical Honesty: Inside NLI’s Uncompromising Techno Universe

In a scene where artists often smooth their edges for the sake of visibility, NLI stands firmly — almost defiantly — outside the mould. Trained as a classical composer from early childhood, sharpened by London’s underground, and guided by a sharp moral compass, her take on techno is as mathematical as it is emotional. Ahead of her debut album Initiation, we sat down with her to talk fractal sound design, outsiderhood, the politics of the rave community, and why she refuses to compromise her values for bookings.

Fractal Noise & Radical Honesty: Inside NLI’s Uncompromising Techno Universe

You describe your sound as “Fractal Techno,” inspired by fractal algorithms in mathematics. Can you walk us through how that concept translates into your production process and sound design?

NLI:

“I draw a lot of inspiration from critical thought and ideas echoed in avant-garde manifestos from the previous century; I’ve always been fascinated by Futurism and dystopian novels, which really permeates my process in the studio! I love weird and wonky sounds, whatever sounds the most apocalyptic!

My vision has always been to bring something fresh and new to the scene, which often requires thinking outside the box in order to avoid re-inventing the wheel, so to speak. I approach using samples conservatively and prefer making everything from scratch; it gives you more control and more creative freedom as a producer.”

I love weird and wonky sounds, whatever sounds the most apocalyptic!

Your self-released track ASPD made waves across London warehouses in 2024, gaining traction from respected artists. How did that organic rise shape your confidence in pursuing your own label and debut album?

NLI:

“It mainly came from the fact that my vision for techno was shared by so many! I got messages from so many artists showing appreciation for my work and they started sending me their own tracks soon after. I got sent so much incredible music and when we started talking they shared their previous experiences with labels and the industry in general, which often came down to them not quite fitting in.

I think a lot of artists, including myself, didn’t realise at the time that being an outsider in that sense is a good thing because it gives you the freedom to make music that is true to your artist identity! I decided to just take a leap of faith, and it seems to be working quite well so far!”

Fractal Noise & Radical Honesty: Inside NLI’s Uncompromising Techno Universe

You’ve played at some of the UK’s most respected venues, from The Cause to Sukil0c, and are now a resident at Shaksden collective. How has the London scene shaped your artistry compared to your experiences in Berlin?

NLI:

“London is very different from Berlin; I think the scene here is very much shaped by the corporate nature of the city, which has made it a highly competitive and sometimes unwelcoming environment for young artists. I would say Berlin is equally as competitive but in a different way, although the vibe of the scene has also shifted dramatically in the last few years.

Berlin maintains the same attitude that it’s always had towards techno. Unlike London, nobody is really that impressed by fame or following in Berlin, it’s more about the je ne sais quoi and good taste.”

Your debut album Initiation is about to drop on Adhesive. What can listeners expect sonically and emotionally, and what does this release represent for your artistic journey?

NLI:

“The album quite literally represents my initiation into techno and recounts my own personal experience with it. I’ve always been a bit of an outsider, not only because of my music and artistry in general, but also because I was ‘the new girl’ for a very long time in the beginning of my career.

I entered the scene with zero connections and zero friends, which made it infinitely more difficult for me in comparison to many others who had already been in the scene for a while or knew people in it. My only option was to build my name from nothing, which was incredibly challenging for a long time.

I would therefore very much like the listener to experience an unfiltered and unpretentious insight into the world of techno, which is often hidden behind meticulously curated Instagram grids.”

My vision has always been to bring something fresh and new to the scene

You’ve been outspoken about inequality, harassment, and the misrepresentation of queer communities in electronic music. What changes do you think are most urgent for the scene right now?

NLI:

“Personally, I think the scene is long overdue for some reflection on our values as a community. Social media has made it far too easy to build a fake image online that doesn’t reflect someone’s character in real life. This is especially problematic when it comes to showing support for vulnerable members of the community.

It has become so common to see people seemingly show support for others with likes and comments, but when it comes to actually standing up for others within the community, they say nothing and do nothing.”

I approach using samples conservatively and prefer making everything from scratch; it gives you more control and more creative freedom as a producer

You’ve made it clear you won’t work with promoters, venues, or artists who normalize harassment. Has this stance made things more difficult, or has it helped carve out a stronger path?

NLI:

“As heartbreaking as it is to know that the music industry continues to struggle with this issue, these kinds of individuals are also an important reminder of the work that needs to be done to make the scene a safer and more enjoyable space for all.”

Fractal Noise & Radical Honesty: Inside NLI’s Uncompromising Techno Universe

Alongside your label, you’re launching the Deconstruct Reality Project to empower young creatives. What can you tell us about the programs and the kind of impact you want to create?

NLI:

“The main objective of Deconstruct Reality is to encourage people to think about their role within the scene and the rave community. We will mainly be focusing on social media as our main platform, as we want our ideas to be as easily accessible and digestible to our viewers as possible.

We also have a number of panel talks with some really inspiring creative minds scheduled for 2026, which is really exciting. I think that it would be beneficial at present to encourage a more nuanced and balanced discussion, particularly because the internet has become an echo chamber of unfounded opinions that often do more harm than good by causing even further polarisation within the community.”