1001Trackslist Interview
“Today we [1001Tracklists] sit down with Nir Ben Shoushan, also known by his stage name, Chemical Language. Nir takes us on a journey through his life, from his roots in Israel to his 15-year quest to influence the American music scene. He discusses the profound inspiration behind his unique moniker, which symbolizes the unspoken, emotional connections that define human interaction. We also explore with him the creative process behind his latest album, ‘A.i. Eyes,’ a 15-track narrative that delves into the rise of artificial intelligence and what it means to be human in this rapidly evolving world.”
Our body and soul are connected; we are humans, and we communicate true sound and emotion. – NIR SHOUSHAN
Hey Nir, thanks for joining us today. To get started can you introduce yourself to our audience?
“Hi, my name is Nir Ben Shoushan AKA Chemical Language. I’m 36 years old, I grew up in Israel, and I moved to the US about 15 years ago to follow my dream to be successful and influence the music industry in America.”
Chemical Language is a unique name. What inspired this name, and how does it reflect your music and vision?
“We are embarking on this amazing journey of life. Our body and soul are connected; we are humans, and we communicate true sound and emotion. Emotion is a central theme in Chemical Language, and the name itself, Chemical Language, beautifully encapsulates the ability of humans to interact and communicate silently through emotions, the nervous system, body language, telepathy, a higher power, and the unknown. On the track “The Chemical language,” I sampled Dr. Timothy Leary talking about his experience with LSD and that our state is open to many nonverbal languages. This inspired me to dig more about it, and I really like that name and what it means to me. I won’t impose my interpretation on the rest of the journey because the album is truly a personal experience that each human must undertake for themselves.”
You've been in the music industry since 2002. Can you tell us what initially drew you to electronic music and sound production?
Great question! I started at a very early age and I wrote 2 songs when I was 8 years old and recorded them at one of my childhood friend’s uncle’s house who had a professional recording studio and I already knew that is something I want to do. When I was 13 years old I got a guitar and started to learn music probably at the same time I started to flirt with music production softwares like FT (Fast Tracker) and EJ. and later on Rebirth Reason 2.0, FL Studio and Strindberg Cubase, then just two years later I left high school for a full scholarship. I finished my sound design degree in 2 years and after that I opened my first professional recording studio and also worked at a major radio station as a sound technician. That was the beginning of a new digital era of electronic music. I was thankful that I was part of that movement from an early age so I think it all together magnetized me into this world, kind of like destiny.
You play several instruments, including guitar, drums, and synthesizer keyboards. How does your proficiency in these instruments influence your electronic music compositions?
I was playing guitar first and it’s still my main instrument and inspiration in life. Music production and working with different virtual instruments and recording those midi channels made me curious to play the real instruments and learn composition and jazz at the conservatory of Ashdod in Israel, but unfortunately I did not graduate. I was already preferring raves in Israel and I decided to move to America to try my luck, but I can say that it’s definitely had an impact on my production and preferences. Even as a DJ I try to look at the equipment like a music instrument.
You've just released your new album A.i. Eyes. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind this album? How long have you been working on the tracks?
The A.i. Eyes album is the story about a sonic narrative that explores the rise of A.i and the nuances of what it means to be human. I was fortunate enough to create this album and found myself deeply contemplating humanity’s most important story ever told: the story of our own ending. A story still being written – we are living it, caught in the middle of the book. How will this story end for us humans?
Spoiler alert: WE WIN. Truth is that I left the ending open for us all to imagine, the story is still unwritten. One fact is true, our children will know.
t’s a 15-track album. Most of them are not new, including a few tracks like “Don’t Go Away” and “Crazybot Dub” which were produced 20 years ago. A few of them were released already during the EDM era between 2010-2016, and a few had not yet been released and have been waiting to come out. But all of them had a new Final Cut edit mix and mastering. It’s like they all make sense together as one album, and soon I will also be releasing an audiobook alongside the album.
Can you pick out some of the tracks from the album and tell us the story behind them?
“Sure, each track has a story behind it. Each track is like a chapter of the audiobook. For example, the first track, “A.I Eyes,” starts with a sample of the old ADSL internet sound, representing the early 90s internet era. Track 3, “Shake It All Around” is a dubstep-trap track about the instant pleasure and addictions we all experience with the internet; whether it’s through porn, endless scrolling, or TikTok dancing. Also the track “Why So Serious?” samples the Joker from Batman and represents gambling addiction.
The track “Don’t Stop” is very personal to me. I produced it more than 10 years ago while I was addicted to drugs, creating it under the influence of psychedelics. I never had the courage to release it because I felt it wasn’t “perfect.” Today I’m sober, and I’m proud to release it as part of my journey toward personal closure. Another personal story is “Crazybot Dub,” which I produced at the time when I studied sound design at Yoav Gera School. Mr. Gera, the founding father of sound in Israel, recorded all of the Israeli legends in pop and rock music. He also worked at TTG Studios in Los Angeles, where they recorded bands and artists like The Doors and Jimi Hendrix, and with famous studios like Abbey Road.
I remember one time I asked the school if I could stay at the studio after classes because I wanted to mix on the big analog console, so I brought wav file channels for “Crazybot” and a few other dub tracks I made.
All of a sudden, Mr. Gera himself came into the room and said something like, “I haven’t heard that kind of sound for a while. What’s going on here?!” And here I am, an underage scholarship student, mamboing, “It’s me; I brought a few channels from home to use the equipment; it’s ok, right?” And he said, “Very nice, keep it up” and closed the door on me! I felt very good, but I had never released that UK dub sound ever on a record, so this is also kind of a point of closure for me. In general, I think after this album and all of the personal closures, I’m totally ready to help others and have a free mind and heart for new chapters and new music.”
Working with DJ Pierre, a pioneer in house and acid music, must have been an incredible experience. Can you share what it was like collaborating with such a legend?
“First I’ll say DJ Pierre is a music legend. Without him and his people in Chicago in the late 80s, who knows if the music that we call house would even exist. For me, Pierre is first a friend and I feel like we talk absolutely about everything, regardless of music, so it’s a gift to know and learn from him. We are working on a movement to bring music back to the roots and the pure joy of music and art without the need for substances to enjoy life. I know it’s a trend right now, but I feel like people in America need to know the story of house music and its roots. I actually invited Pierre to say few things about that for our interview.
The party is not the drinking or the substance; it’s the people; it’s celebrating life; it’s the innate joy we all have inside ourselves. If you’re having a good time and engaging in meaningful conversation, you will enjoy yourself at any party or social event, regardless of whether you’re under the influence of any drug or not.”
Congratulations to Nir for his debut album. I know you, and you have a big heart. You’ve come a long way, and I’m proud of you. I hope you succeed with your interesting music. Our movement calls it “when we were house.” And what we mean by it is that we’re connected to the sounds of the music, and it’s pure joy and true dancing. – DJ PIERRE
And finally, as you continue to develop Chemical Language, what new directions or projects are you excited about?
“I truly don’t know what life is for me, but I know that I will keep getting better as a person, promoting sobriety and safe parties and developing new and unique original sounds and experiences.”
You can download Chemical Language – “A.i. Eyes” on Beatport today! https://www.beatport.com/release/ai-eyes/4681136
