Today we’d like to introduce you to Noel Mshihiri.
Noel , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My mom is the oldest out of 8, 4 boys and 4 girls, so growing up I was always around my aunts and uncles. My uncles, being uncles, always dressed me up in baggy clothes and threw chains on me for fun as I was their little science experiment. My uncles are rappers, so they would make me listen to whoever was hot at that time. When I got older and started realizing what they were doing creatively to propel their artist career, from producing music videos, staying up late at our house making music, and dressing a certain way that expressed who they were. I took all this in at a young age and wanted to be like them, but I couldn’t rap or should I say I didn’t like it.
My aunt who is the youngest was the other artist in the family, but she loved to sing and had a beautiful voice. So, when I got interested in what my uncles were doing, instead of rapping I wanted to be a singer. R&B & Pop music was something that I loved at that time. From John Legend to Bruno Mars I knew every song they released at that time. So, I had the great idea to start doing covers of songs I loved. I already practiced in my room when no one was around and had a YouTube channel where I would post video game highlights, so I said why not post my song covers on there! I was in middle school at that time and to think to do that was something I look back at and cringe. I was a big kid at the time and was still trying to fit in, so why would I think putting myself out there like this was a good idea. I look back at that moment sometimes and cringe, but glad I did what I loved and it shows today. Being able to put myself out there and be uncomfortable at a young age has really helped me as an adult. And no, you won’t be able to find the videos because I can’t find them myself lol.
From there on I was all over the place growing up when it came to music. I really was trying to find where I felt most comfortable musically. I did choir in high school and Mrs. Brenda, who was a saint for taking on an all boys choir in high school, loved my voice and always tried to make me do solo’s and wanted me to shine. But in a room with all your guy friends I never wanted to try to hard because I felt like it wasn’t “cool”. So I did my part and surpassed what I was good at to fit the “norm”.
Once I was in college that was when I finally heard of dance music. To be honest I don’t know how it took me this long to discover it. I started from listening to Christian Rap to Chicago Drill Rap to singing my heart out to All of Me by John Legend. To think after bouncing around so many types of music in my teens that It took me 18 years to hear some dance music. But it was the radio pop Dance Music, which is EDM. I shifted gears and was listing to Two Friends Big Bootie Mix #15, Martin Garrix, and Galantis. Now, was a huge fan of this at the time? I don’t think I was but it was what all my friends were listening to so I had no choice but to go along with it. I guess it was my way of diving into the “college experience”.
That ship didn’t last too long because I started to get into Dubstep and Bass House, which is still very popular in Minneapolis today. Not sure what it was that drew me to it, but the aggressive beat and crazy sounds was something that I just loved. It was also probably a reflection on how I was experiencing life. 21 years young in college going out a lot from Thursday-Sunday, sometimes a Wednesday here and there, and just having crazy fun. This phase lasted a good while as I saw Rezz and Excision multiple times every year.
One day that all changed though. I was at Excision for the hundredth time and took a video of myself in the middle of the show saying “this will be the last dubstep show you go to, it was a good run, but Im done”. When Iwoke up the next day going through my photos to see what videos I took, I watched that one not remembering I took it and was honestly happy I did. I didn’t try to fight it saying “ohh maybe I just had a bad night” or “I would never do this”. I took it for real and wanted to find something different that truly suited me and the sound that I would forever love.
The next year, I went to Barcelona to visit some friends who were studying abroad in Europe. It was my first time out there and I was ecstatic. When I landed my friends showed me all over the city as if they were locals and I loved every moment of it. The second night we were there we went to a club called Input, which at the time was known to have the best sound system in the city. When we arrived, everyone failed to mention that the club is a castle… When I say castle it was that. It is situated within the Poble Espanyol. The walk up there was the most magical thing I had experienced at that time. As we got to the top I can feel the bass trickling out the doors and I just knew I was in for a night. The headliner was Sven Väth, who at the time I obviously didn’t know, and he was doing a vinyl set. Did any of this mean anything to me at the time, no, but I knew that 4 to the floor beat was something that got me hooked. I went to the bathroom quick and as I exited I grabbed for my phone to take a photo of the space, to realize that it wasn’t there… Then I remembered my mom telling me before I left, “watch out for the pickpocketers out there”. Which I was being cautious about, I had my phone on my breast pocket, so when someone went for it, that I would feel it. I was sadly wrong to do so. I accepted defeat because realistically what could I do? Harass every person there and then get kicked out and ruin the rest of the groups night? Nope. I told my friends, so they could stay close with me since I have no way to contact anyone and then marched to the bar where I ordered myself 4 shots and took them to the head. Because I was gonna have myself a good night and what better way to experience a night full of Techno and House Music without a phone and 4 shots to the head? And let me tell you it was a great night because I was disconnected from the outside world I was able to fully embrace the music. As the night went my friends started trickling and going back home, but just a few of us stayed till 7am. Mind you we got there around 1 or 2am. That’s how the whole week went though, come home from the club at 7am sleep till 1 or 2pm, explore the city, take a nap, pre game for the club and do it all over again. The only difference I had from everyone was that I had no phone and I was happy that I didn’t. I was able to be in the moment and really take in Barcelona. I think that is why I love the city so much and have been there twice since then.
When I went to visit my friends it was 2020 but before Covid and coincidentally it was actually the week things started to heat up around the world. We would see the news about Covid, but we didn’t want to pay it any mind since we thought it was nothing. My last night in Barcelona everyone was going to Shoko, but I didn’t want to go out my last night since my flight was at 5am, so I went to the pregame to see everyone and then went back to the hotel to sleep till I had to go. I was all the sudden woken up by one of my friends who was sharing the room with me, but wasn’t leaving till tomorrow night. So, I was a bit confused as of why he was back so early. He asked me “did you see that news”, which I replied “no you dumbass I don’t have a phone, plus I’ve been asleep”. He continued to tell me Trump popped on all the TVs in the club and said all America’s who are overseas needed to come home immediately because of Covid cases rising. Everyone was at a panic and started looking for early flight, so they all rode with me to the airport where I thought I was all good to get home. As I checked in apparently the airline that I was flying cancelled all their flights and of course I couldn’t have known since I had no phone. I had to get in another line where it took me 2 hours to get a new flight and when I got it, takeoff was in 20 minutes. Security rushed me to my gate by passing all security checks and luckily I got on my flight. Once I landed back home to Minnesota, my mom along with a bunch of my friend’s parents were reluctant to let us stay at home since we just traveled and they were scared of COVID. So, they got me and 5 of my friends an AirBnB. This was the best case scenario. We had a whole house to ourselves and immediately bought a DJ board. Coming back from that trip I was hungry to start DJing some House Music. Those two weeks I just downloaded a bunch of tunes and started going at it everyday trying to learn as much as possible.
After that two weeks I went back to my college apartment and that’s where the fun started. I would host small gathering with friends, where we would chill and drink while I play some music. I wasn’t good at all, but my friends were my new “club” presence. As I started Djing more and more a friend of mine reached out to me asking if I would like to join his bosses entertainment company. They did a lot of college events and I quickly said yes. They trained me and showed me how to properly DJ. Not trying to toot my own horn, but some of the things they taught me I already knew from doing my own trail and error, but that gave me the confidence that I needed. As I worked with them we did a lot of events in the Midwest with headphone discos, since that was the “safest” way to host dance parties during the pandemic. While It was a great experience to travel and learn how to play in-front of a crowd, I hated doing these headphone discos. It was funny at times since I would take my headphones off and hear someone sing like they were in the shower, but it wasn’t fulfilling and I think I got what I needed out that experience.
After I got done with working with that entertainment company I went back to doing college parties at apartments and wherever I could get opportunities. Then another friend reached out telling me about Bar Zia who was looking for a resident DJ to host their House Music nights. I reached out to the guy and quickly got the job. What I didn’t realize was that I was going to start learning how to promote my own events, which I had no idea what I was doing. The first night was great because all my college friends came out and that when I thought “this will be every night for me”. I was quickly humbled after that night from 50 people the first night to 10 the next. I knew it was a bad look so that following week I printed off 100 flyers and walked around the city to post them. Which was a good idea, but It still wasn’t enough. I struggled to get people to the door that duration of my residency which only lasted 2 months since I wasn’t giving them business and rightfully so.
Once that was over I went back again to the college parties, whilst getting interested in producing my own music. I didn’t know where to start, but I had a feeling I should at least attempt to do it. As I started learning I bought books and courses, but it didn’t click, it was a little intimidating to learn the softwares and also juggle school. I attempted for 3 months then gave up and just focused on DJing. It wasn’t until after I graduated where I got back into it and started enjoy the process more since I had more time on my hands with no school. I promptly released my first track called “Coco”, which isn’t the best but I was proud of myself that I got something that I worked on out to the world. As I took my production serious the gigs started piling in and I was feeling good about myself! Meeting more people in the scene and getting more connected with what is going on in MPLS house scene was something that I really enjoyed at the time and till this day.
As I started making new connections and improving personally. I was doing things that I never really thought I would do. From traveling to Chicago to play at Spy Bar and open up for Catz ‘n Dogz and Marco Lys, to starting a series of rooftop parties in Chicago, where I had my second one this past summer, to now I have starting a brand with my partner Carlos Gomes, whose stage name is Alboa, where we throw House Music events in the city under the name ‘Soul Exchange’.
The purpose of the brand is to bring a new sound to the city. At Soul Exchange we love funky, percussive House Music and want to hear more of that in the city, whilst bringing the community together. So, to do so we are exploring the city and introducing the cities nightlife to new spaces that have not been seen before. For us that looks like working with small business owners who have beautiful spaces and helping showcase what they have to offer so that people will come there on any given night and other promoters can use it as well to help drive there business and create better relationships. From throwing an Alley Party at in between The Hewing Hotel and MartinPatrick 3 to throwing a pop up at Bob Dia. We strive to push boundaries on where you can host events and are excited to share what we have in store with everyone. We want and will be more than just hosting parties and will focus on the community and those who have contributed in many ways. We started another side project within the brand called “Into The Soul” where we interview people who have contributed to the cities House scene and allow them to have a voice, so people know who they are and what they have done and can follow them to see what is in store. This brand is something near and dear to us and we’re excited to see more faces on the dance floor at our events and create more friends and a stronger bond within this community.
Doing all of this makes me happy because of the people that I get to meet and the community presence in it all. Everyone I have met has lended a hand out to help me propel without me asking and even when I do ask it’s always given in such positive way. This is the selflessness that I love in this community because no one is doing it for themselves, but to continue what those back in the 80’s started. My journey has only begun and I am so grateful for those who have helped me along the way.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Yes, I have had a lot of challenges from playing in empty rooms to losing money on events. There will always be something that I have to overcome, but those early struggles never intimidated me because I love the music so much that I don’t care what happens because I know what my end goal is and know it doesn’t matter how I get there, but I know it has happened already. The challenges that I face also help me grow because I learn more about myself and others along the way and are able to move accordingly from each challenge.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I would like to consider myself as a creative that loves hosting House Music events and producing my own music. The style that I love and will improve on is the funky, soulful side of house. As of now in my journey I focus on just that making music and hosting events. I have other aspirations like having a clothing brand and getting into fashion, but those things will come in due time.
What I am most proud of is getting out of my bubble, which is home. I have been able to make connections outside of MPLS and now have friends in Chicago, California, and Wisconsin. Being able to make such relationships especially Chicago, where I have hosted multiple events, makes me believe that I can do it anywhere I go.
What I think sets me apart from others is just my mindset when it comes to anything. I am not gonna pose as some super enlightened person, but I know that when I am in tough situation or think of an outcome that I want to have happen, I never allow negative thoughts to cloud my judgment and know that I deserve anything that I want. That is what allows me to do what I am doing because of my positive mindset and that transforms into being in an environment that allows me to strive and grow in a positive manner.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
If I were to start over again it would be start making friends in the spaces that you are wanting to be in. I didn’t do that right away and struggled with my first residency. And being honest with yourself is important. What I mean by that is makes sure you aren’t doing things to impress others or any self centered reason that could harm others experiences. Yes, I believe in putting yourself first, so that you can be the best you for others, but don’t do it because you just want money and all the attention. Make sure you’re doing it for the love of whatever it is and want to become the best version of you whilst contributing to the community. That type of energy is noticed and the universe will reward you accordingly.
Pricing:
- Soul Exchange events will always be low cost for attendees
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/n0e_music/
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/n0e_music
- Other: https://linktr.ee/noe_music
