Rendah Magazine: Reflections with Max Cooper
Latest issue out now.
Spanish artist NIN3S talks to SNC Mag about his new AV show, following your passion, and letting art speak for itself.
In numerology, the number nine symbolizes the completion of old cycles, wisdom, and meaningful living—an apt name for the new alias of Manuel García Guerra, formerly known as Uner.
Manuel’s life as Uner was a successful one. In 2009, he debuted on Solomun’s Diynamic imprint with ‘Raw Sweat’. The four-track EP gained significant traction on its release with two of its tracks landing on RA’s ‘Top Charted Tracks’ list. From there, he settled in Ibiza where he became a resident for the seminal party ANTS, as well as hosting his own event in Pacha, and playing at pretty much every major club on the island.
Despite his success, Manu always had a broader creative vision, looking ever forward to a time when he could express himself more freely. During our conversation, NIN3S gave the impression that he, above all else, loves to express himself. He told me about his interests in film, orchestral music, and using light to get the most from certain spaces. We also talked about his disappointment with the industry, its pressures, and how it began to stifle his creativity. Above all else, his enthusiasm was endearing to see.
It’s always been about creating new experiences for Manu. Even as Uner, it wasn’t uncommon to see him incorporate live bands to play alongside his DJ sets just to add something different. Now as NIN3S, he aims to use sound, space, and light to provide a more immersive and holistic experience. This time he has a team of his own, and no agents trying to advise him what’s best for his, and their, bank balances, irrespective of his long-term artistic goals.
For his latest project, he has recently launched a brand-new live show. The show, titled ‘The Beginning’, is an audio-visual presentation of his recently released double album. Broken up into two parts; ‘Beginning’ and ‘Beginning’ (The Revisions), the records explore two sides of NIN3S’ artistic identity. Part 1 demonstrates his talent as a classically trained pianist and contains eight minimalistic piano compositions, whilst Part 2 acts as its counterpart, fusing his electronic influences into each of the original pieces.
An exploration into darkness and light, The Beginning is a visual accompaniment to Part 2 in which dazzling light structures expand on the dark, emotional, and break-infused tones of the album. In some ways, it could be said that this theme between light and dark is a reflection of NIN3S’s career. The dark is an industry which promotes wealth and fame over creative endeavour, the light is the artist’s passions, freeing themselves from the shackles of greed and censorship and exploding into the world exactly how they were meant to be.
