Nia Archives: 'I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being patriotic'
‘Now that’s a good Guinness,’ says Nia Archives, clinking her pint to mine from a corner of Stoke Newington’s lively Irish boozer, The Auld Shillelagh. ‘I’ve spent a lot of time in Dublin – I went there 10 times last year – so I’ve had great Guinnesses. This is decent.’ She wipes the malty foam from her upper lip.
Dehaney Nia Lishahn Hunt began releasing music under the moniker Nia Archives four years ago; a name that has since become known for leading a new generation of dance music. She has earned her title through her dark, thumping and addictive sound – plus untameable, electric performances. She’s a DJ, vocalist, songwriter and producer, but first and foremost, Nia Archives is a junglist.
By contrast, the woman who sits in front of me is reserved, slightly awkward and not at all like the adrenaline deity we know her as behind the decks. In true raver fashion, she’s zipped into a gorpcore-style rain coat, with a Camel Blue cigarette lodged between her French-tipped nails. I compliment her
