Nashville-based DJ and producer KIANA NADINE has always known music was her path. Starting out deep in production, she didn’t originally plan on becoming a DJ—but once she realised it was the key to bringing her electronic tracks to life on stage, she leaned in hard. Now, it’s one of her favourite parts of the job! This week, she joins the Re-Ex crew to talk about falling in love with DJing, the artists who shaped her sound, and how she builds sets that leave a lasting impression. We also chat about her upcoming releases (spoiler: there’s a lot of them), her experience using RepostExchange, and her advice for DJs just starting out.

How did you first get into DJing, and what inspired you to pursue it as a career?

I’ve wanted to be in music for as long as I can remember—it’s always been the dream. At my core, I see myself as an artist and producer first, and I’ve been deep into production for years, but DJing has become a huge part of my journey. I didn’t always picture myself as a DJ, but I realised it was essential for performing as an electronic artist—a way to bring my music to the stage. I’ve fallen in love with it—not just the technical side, but the energy, the crowd connection, and the way a set can tell a story. There’s something truly special about curating moments in real-time—it’s become one of my favourite things..

Who were your biggest musical influences growing up?

Oh my gosh, where do I even start? I have so many! I was a total music nerd as a kid—I grew up on a mix of R&B, rap, pop, and rock. Then in my teenage years, I really connected with rap, soul, and reggae. If I had to put a list together, it’d include Mariah Carey, Nirvana, Bob Marley, Sublime, Amy Winehouse, Corinne Bailey Rae, Led Zeppelin, TLC… and honestly, the list just keeps going.

If you could DJ any event in the world, which one would it be and why?

I’m pretty sure my answer changes every time I get asked this, but right now, just for the travel experience, I’d have to say EDC Mexico. EDC Orlando was my first electronic music festival, so playing there—or honestly, any EDC—would feel like a full-circle moment. Plus, I just love traveling. I’d want to play, then stick around for a bit, explore, soak in the beauty of the area, and really experience it.

How do you approach creating a new mix? Is there a story or theme you often follow?

I wouldn’t say there’s a set story or theme—it’s really all about the feels. It all depends on my mood and the energy in the room. There’s a balance, for sure—I want people to have a great time, like any DJ would—but more than that, I want them to walk away with a moment. Maybe it’s a track that made them dance harder than ever, a drop that had them going ‘what the heck was that?!’, or something that hit them in the soul and made them reflect. I always try to create those moments—something they’ll take with them long after the night ends.

What's the most challenging part of putting together a cohesive mix?

Oh man, as you probably noticed—I’m a total music nerd. I love all kinds of music, and personally, I can’t just stick to one genre for an hour, two hours, three hours… that’s not me. The challenge is making it all feel cohesive while still switching things up. I feel like I have to stick to a vibe, and when I shift it, there has to be some kind of bridge to connect the two—something that makes it flow naturally.

That said, I know I tend to overthink how cohesive the mix is. The truth is, when I’m playing live, most people aren’t even thinking about what I played two songs ago—they’re just in the moment. So, I try to remind myself of that. If I’m having fun and playing songs I love—songs I think the crowd will love too—it usually just works.

What software or equipment do you prefer using when recording your mixes?

Decks to USB has been ol’ reliable for me! Other than that, at home to rekordbox, but I prefer to live record my mixes to bring the energy into the listening experience.

What advice would you give to any budding DJs out there?

As a DJ, I’d say network, practice, and be willing to dive in—even if you don’t feel ready. Do shit scared. I’ve had plenty of moments where I wasn’t sure I was prepared, but I got thrown into it anyway. And yeah, sometimes it wasn’t great, but the experience was everything. Learning by doing is honestly the best way. But definitely practice, definitely be in places you want to be, stay open, and remember—you’ll never know everything, so never stop learning.

How do you handle song requests during a live set?

I generally just let them know if it fits the vibe and I have a version on my USB, then sure, but no guarantees. Usually goes smoothly! If I get one that’s completely left field though, I’ll straight up say “no, it’s not really the vibe, sorry!” I haven’t yet had anyone rude with those responses.

Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations we should be on the lookout for?

Yea! Currently I am releasing a song every single week for the entire year of 2025! I’m dropping remixes AND originals, so you’ll see some on all platforms, and all of them on SoundCloud. I do have some collabs coming up as well.

How do you decide which tracks or artists to repost? Do you have certain criteria?

The only criteria is if I like the song. I do ride heavy for my peers in the artist world and I am lucky to know very talented individuals, so I will repost their stuff as soon as I hear it since I generally love it, but in the realm of like RepostExchange or other services, I just have to like the song really, or feel something.

Have you discovered or collaborated with any artists through RepostExchange?

I haven’t collaborated with anybody from RepostExchange yet, but I did discover a couple artists, mainly Legacy. That was right when I first started using the site. After finding them, I realised we were in the same state, had some mutual connections, and have just been watching their journey flourish. They really grind, and they’re SO talented! I literally love every song they release.

Can you share a specific track or mix that gained significant traction due to RepostExchange?

Yeah, I would say the first one was Childish Gambino - Feels Like Summer Remix that I put out and that was honestly one of my first times using RepostExchange. I was trying to get a feel of it and an understanding of it and that song still gets consistent plays, and downloads!

Connect with KIANA NADINE on SoundCloud, Instagram, and TikTok.

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This interview has been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.