Contributing WriterKey SONARA artist and accomplished Berlin talent Nico Stojan isn’t new to the game. The former Bar25 resident founded Ouïe Records with Acid Pauli, merging everything from downtempo to jazz and hip-hop in his musical grooves. For his new track Luhya, he pairs up with David Mayer and enlists the vocals of Nes Mburu, an authoritative Afro house singer with credits on numerous key labels.
1. Hi Nico, and welcome to Music is 4 Lovers. Where in the world are you right now and how has your 2025 been so far?
Hey, Music is 4 Lovers! Thanks so much for having me, happy to be here! Right now, I’m back home in Berlin, soaking up the autumn vibes. I absolutely love this time of year—the colors, the calm, the cozy reflection it brings. It’s when I usually finish up projects and get into that creative flow. 2025 has been such a good one. Full of new ideas, new music, and exciting things like launching our new label, SONARA.
2. You are based in Berlin we understand. How long have you been in the city and where are your favourite places to go out to eat, dance and relax?
Exactly, I was born and raised here. Berlin will always be my home base—it keeps me grounded yet constantly inspires me. For food, it totally depends on my mood and where I am in the city. I love cooking myself, but when I’m out and about (usually between studio sessions), I love Markthalle 9 in Kreuzberg or the Maybachufer market on Tuesdays and Fridays. So much good energy and flavor there! I used to go out a lot more, but these days, when I’m in Berlin, I mostly spend my time in the studio producing and making music. So it’s rare that I actually go to clubs, even though I still love that energy and what it represents. When I dance, I prefer the outdoor vibe—surrounded by nature, fresh air, and good people. That’s where I feel the freest.
3. You have a new release with David Mayer coming up entitled ‘LUHYA’. What can you tell us about the record?
The track was originally called Sora. We always felt it had this energy that was asking for a vocal. David reached out to Nes, who instantly connected with it, and he added his magic touch. When I heard what he did, it just clicked—that was exactly the vibe we had in mind. The result is something that (hopefully!) makes people smile, move, and feel good, both on and off the dance floor.
4. What can you tell us about this new label SONARA, and what drew you to them for this record?
SONARA is our new home for music that simply makes people feel good. It’s about energy, connection, and frequencies that make you dance, listen, and just enjoy being in the moment. It’s about sharing that spark that music gives us.
5. You are something of a serial collaborator, having released EPs with a host of other producers. What is it that you find in the collaborative process that you don’t get when working solo?
Collabs are pure joy for me. When you’re in sync with someone, the energy just flows—ideas bounce around, laughter happens, and before you know it, there’s a track that carries that shared vibe. It’s like musical chemistry—you can’t plan it, it just happens.
6. When you’re away from the studio or the DJ booth, what do you do for fun and inspiration?
Nature is my favorite reset button. I love being outside—in the forest, near water—just connecting with the quiet. That’s where I recharge and tap into something deeper, beyond the city’s noise. It’s like finding that still frequency we all have inside us.
7. What for you is the greatest album of all time, and why?
Ah, that’s impossible to answer! There are just too many that shaped me. But if I had to pick one that still moves me deeply, I’d say Kruder & Dorfmeister – The K&D Sessions. That record was a huge inspiration early on, and I still love listening to it at home—timeless vibes.
8. What do you have on the horizon for the rest of 2025 and 2026?
I’m wrapping up my next album, which I’m really excited about! I’ve also got more music in the works with my SONARA crew and a few remixes waiting to be finished. Lots of beautiful things on the way, and I can’t wait to share them all.
