A Ritual of Connection: Nhii on Sounds of Khemit and Superfine Records

For Nhii, the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) is more than just a highlight in the annual calendar; it's a sacred ritual. As the founder of the revered Sounds of Khemit imprint, he has cultivated a loyal family around his showcases, transforming them into hubs of genuine connection and collaborative spirit. As he prepares for his most ambitious ADE yet, one that introduces a new label and continues a mythological journey. We sat down with him to discuss the energy of Amsterdam, the art of curation, and the power of building something together.

Event: Sounds of Khemit introduces Superfine
📅 Date: Thursday, October 23
🕑 Music starts: 18:00
📍Location: Zum Barbarossa

Event Details

Your ADE gatherings have become an annual ritual for the Sounds of Khemit family. After three years, what keeps drawing you back to the city and how would you describe the Amsterdam crowd's energy and what unique experiences have you taken away from your previous visits?

The big thing for me here is the collaborative character of ADE. It is all about connection for me with the showcase. I want this to be an event where fans, artists, and industry people mix and get together. That creates really positive energy. I just got a demo from two artists who met three years ago at our first showcase, which really was more like a networking event and less of an afterwork party. It's also a good opportunity to catch up with old friends, contacts, and partners. I really like to know the people I work with a bit better and understand what drives them.

Your annual VA compilation, "Khonsu," is a key part of this ADE ritual. As the curator, what was the specific sonic and emotional palette you were searching for when selecting the tracks, and how does this collection reflect the current evolution of the Sounds of Khemit sound?

Each year, Sounds of Khemit opens a new chapter in its mythological journey. Following in the footsteps of Osiris and Medjed, we now call upon Khonsu: the ancient Egyptian god of the moon, time, and travel.

Known as the Wanderer, Khonsu embodies movement and transformation. He governs the passage of time, the cycles of night and day, and the unseen energies that guide us through transition. As a lunar deity, he illuminates the darkness not with blinding force, but with subtle radiance. Inviting exploration, introspection, and timeless rhythm.

So with that in mind, the idea was to curate:
* Tracks that capture the flow of time, slow builds, evolving narratives, hypnotic repetition.
* Music that feels like a journey under moonlight, moving between shadow and revelation.
* A compilation that travels across the vast landscape of deep house, melodic house, and indie dance, weaving together artists who channel movement, change, and inner light.

And to quote from the press release:

With Khonsu as our host, we honor time’s endless cycles, the pulse of the cosmos, and the eternal dance between light and shadow.

You're using this year's ADE gathering to introduce Superfine Records, a new Brooklyn-based label. Can you share the story behind its inception and how its focus on "indie dance" will shape the sonic narrative of the night compared to previous years?

Yes, the new label will lean more toward Indie Dance, and the first release drops in November. Marc DePulse is opening the series, and I’ve heard whispers that the snyl release feature a remix from the lovely Shubostar.

It’s being run by DJ Alex Cecil and Alexis from Aiona (NYC), and as I said: I love collaborating with people. It makes everything more fun and way less transactional. When Alex first reached out looking for a venue in Amsterdam, we started brainstorming and ended up with this new format: Sounds of Khemit introduces…

I love the concept because it positions us even more as tastemakers. A label that supports new talent and gives them a stage. Maybe it’s something we can develop further at ADE: inviting emerging labels to share our platform. We’re still a young label ourselves, just four years in but connection is really at the heart of what we do.

The lineup for your event is packed with back-to-back sets and live performances, emphasizing collaboration. Can you give us a glimpse on what kind of sonic story do you hope to tell together with Akira Arasawa on the night?

Yeah, we have 2x B2B and 3 solo sets, but we are extending the B2B compared to the solo sets to be able to tell a bit more about this connection. Akira and I met in Japan two years ago, and I have to say we instantly vibed. He showed me the best record store I ever set foot in, and I will be forever thankful. We also made two tracks together in Japan, and now I just remixed his track B+, which was released last year on the Japanese imprint Chill Mountain Rec. The remix was then licensed to Sounds of Khemit for an exclusive release. It went really well and the track has been played around the world and always creates this special reaction on the dancefloor. So I’m looking forward to reflecting this connection with Akira in our B2B. Hope we get the time to sit down together a day before in Amsterdam.

With two key appearances, your own Sounds of Khemit night and the Dreaming Awake Records showcase, what is your single biggest hope for what our guests take away from their experience with you during ADE?

I hope in general that all artists will showcase their true selves. I think we’ve all seen enough repetitive sets and DJ lineups, so I’m hoping for some fresh music. I personally can’t wait to share all the tunes I’ve been making in the last three to four months. Also, I can’t wait to show our new merch we introduced for NY Fashion Week.

The Sounds of Khemit family gathers once again on October 23rd at Zum Barbarossa for "Sounds of Khemit introduces: superfine records." It's more than a party; it's the next chapter in a story written in rhythm and connection.