Stanley Kubrix
Can you introduce yourself to our audience?
I’m Nico, but I’ve been invisible for a long time. I released music under different names across electro house, dubstep, and tech house, played EDC and Academy LA, and got placements, but nobody knew it was me. That invisibility was partly strategy, partly protection. About a year ago, I decided to stop. I did three months of real shadow work, spiritual healing work, and rebuilt everything from scratch. Stanley Kubrix is what came out of that, the first project where I’m actually present. Not hiding behind a sound or a scene. It’s melodic house, it’s organic, it’s intentional. And it’s mine.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music, specifically in electronic genres?
I grew up going to powwows with my family, and I noticed something: the rhythm, the repetition, people moving together to a primal beat. There’s something spiritual about that. Hunters and gatherers didn’t need to dance to a 4/4 beat, but they did. They screamed into the night sky. There’s a reason rhythm does that to us. Electronic music is the same impulse, just modern. It’s transcendence through sound and repetition. That’s what drew me in. Not the genre, but the function of it—the ability to create a space where people can access something beyond themselves.
How would you describe your style and sound?
My style comes from processing shadow work and celebrating what’s on the other side of it. I explore both darkness and light, but not to dwell in either. It’s about transformation. Everything starts with the foundation—the drums, the bass, the percussion. My music has to move my body first. Once it has that primal physicality, I layer in hidden textures and sounds that move organically throughout the track. You might not notice them consciously, but the song feels empty without them. It’s about creating depth and texture that rewards deeper listening.
ABOUT YOUR RELEASE
Tell us about your latest release
“Say the Word” was built over months during my period of deep isolation and personal reconstruction. It reflects that journey—the darkness, the processing, and the emergence into something new. The title comes from that realization: that’s all it really takes to make a genuine change. You don’t need permission or perfect circumstances. You just have to say it. Declare it. The track is that declaration.
What message or feeling do you want listeners to take away from this release?
I want listeners to feel that transformation is real and possible. Not in some surface-level way, but through the actual sonic journey—the darkness, the emergence, the intentionality. And I want them to understand that change doesn’t require perfect conditions or external permission. It starts with a declaration. Say the word, and you’ve already begun. That’s the power of it.
Can you walk us through the creative process behind this project?
I start with the heart of the track—the main peak section where everything comes together. I nail the bass, drums, and core groove first. Once that foundation is locked in and it moves me, I build everything else around it. The intro, the breakdowns, and the builds all serve that central moment. If the peak isn’t compelling, nothing else matters.
Once the foundation is solid, I layer in the hidden textures and atmospheric elements. Some come during production, some emerge during mixing. Since I’m handling production, mixing, and mastering myself, I’m constantly working on all three simultaneously. It can get intense juggling it all, and I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it to everyone, but that’s how it’s come together for me. I’m making mixing and mastering decisions as I go, pulling things forward, pushing things back, and refining the balance throughout the entire process.
There’s also a spiritual element to it. I set intentions before I start, and sometimes I’ll do ritual work around releases to mark the transition. But the technical side and the intentional side work together.
How does this release differ from your previous work?
This is my first release under Stanley Kubrix in the melodic house space. In recent years, I was focused on tech house, but “Say the Word” marks a clear shift into something more organic and intentional. It’s built on a foundation of genuine intention and spiritual work, not just sound for sound’s sake. I’m also present with it now in a way I wasn’t before. This time, I’m here.
INDUSTRY AND PERSONAL INSIGHTS
What do you think is the biggest challenge for artists in the electronic music industry today?
The barrier to entry looks lower than ever with affordable software and tools, but the real challenge is the visibility game. You need photography, video, content strategy, and branding—things that used to be optional. Artists with resources can outsource. Independent artists like me have to learn it all or find creative workarounds. But that’s the game now, and I’m figuring it out.
What role do events, collaborations, or labels play in shaping your career? (please mention your collaboration with Cafe De Anatolia)
Events, collaborations, and labels are everything. They validate the work, they open doors, and they connect you to people who believe in what you’re doing. Getting “Say the Word” on Café De Anatolia as my first release in this direction is an honor. They have incredible taste and expertise, and the fact that they saw something in this track early means everything. My collaborator JOHNJOSÉ has been instrumental in shaping the direction creatively. We just did the Groove Cruise and Unlearn:Records showcase during Miami Music Week, which felt like the formal arrival of Stanley Kubrix. Big thanks to Doc Brown for believing in this.
But here’s the thing: you have to treat every opportunity like it matters, because you never know who’s listening or who put you there because they genuinely believe in you. Whether it’s 20 people in a room or thousands, one person in that crowd could be someone who shifts everything. I show up intentionally for every single one.
Do you have any advice for aspiring artists looking to break into the scene?
A lot of artistic people are genuinely generous with their time and energy. That’s beautiful, but you have to protect yours. Give yourself the best energy first. People will take and take, not out of malice, but because you’re giving it. Once you set that boundary, once you conserve your energy intentionally, it serves you so much better. Your art gets better, your presence gets clearer, and your relationships get healthier because they’re not built on depletion. Protect your energy, and it will compound.
LOOKING AHEAD
What can your fans expect next?
Right now, I’m focused on the music. “Say the Word” drops March 31st on Café De Anatolia. I’m in production mode. More music is coming, and I’m taking my time with it to make sure it’s intentional and grounded. My focus is on continuing my healing journey through the work. The priority is the music. The rest follows.