Lava

Daimon Schwalger aka The Nomad first caught our attention a couple of years ago with Movement, a dark-edged drum and bass production he released and promoted himself. It was a good album, superbly produced and tightly wound. Since then it seems the man has chilled somewhat and the jungle fever he was happily suffering in 97 has blown over to make room for a case of dubbed out down beat. The change was a good one. Movement was pretty good but Second Selection is world class. One of the outstanding albums of the year, from anywhere. Fettering contributions from the unsung Lotus, Rockers HI-Fis Farda P (Daimon toured with the Rockers on their recent visit here) and production assistance from Salmonella Dubs Tiki Taane (whose For the Love of it is remixed, in fine fashion here) the sound is all about high tech dub groove that you think was mixed in heaven until you find out it was made in Daimons house. There are too many standouts to mention favourites; everyones a winner. Theres nothing more to say except go out and buy it. Every home should have one.

Christchurch Press 29 October 1999

The debut album of the Nomad sold out so quickly that the Christchurch DJ had fears his latest CD would be mistaken for his first. To make things clear, he has called his new release "Second Selection".

Daimon Schwalger began DJing 10 years ago, but it was not until the arrival in 1996 of Locust a Christchurch drum and bass outfit fronted by Pearl Rung that his skills as a maker of electronic music became widely known.

After Locusts demise the following year Schwalger decided to go it alone as the Nomad. The low-key release of Movement last year and its subsequent sell-out established him as one of the leading names in New Zealands drum and bass scene. It might seem odd therefore, given the wider exposure brought by his new deal with festival Records that Schwalger should step out of the drum and bass zone and mellow out a little.

"The last album was mainly drum and bass but this is more trip hop or down groove" he says. " I want to cover different styles in each project I do, but I guess it is the production time as well.

"This is my third year in production so Im feeling a lot more confidant. Im better at doing things and the music represents me a bit more as well.

" Drum and bass was cool at the time but Ive been into dub and down groove for about 11 years and I just wanted to wait until the right time before I produced it. Making drum and bass was a really good learning curve."

There is a sense that for Schwalger timing is everything, from the release of his new album (just before summer) to the way he creates music.

" I basically just get down a rhythm track sort of mix the drums and write some breaks and stuff and get the beat together," he says. " Then I usually get together with Mark (Tyler, bassist for Salmonella Dub) and get lots of bass happening on the track.

Then I get in the vocalist or guitarist. Everything is built around a big jam session I never really know how it is going to turn out at the beginning."

The Nomads new album and first single, "Where Are You" are already making waves and plans are afoot to re-release Movement when the time is right.

The Fix 8 October 1999

Lining up with a solid crew of collaborators and like minds The Nomad has advance leaps and bounds with " Second Selection". A reflection of wide tastes and open mind and increased studio tricknology and techniques this album joins the dots between Daimons earlier drum and bass hip-hop flavored productions and his current predilection for down beats tempos with lashings of dubwise deviance. Where are You/ has my vote for local catchy (Id rather not use the term pop) tune of the year with superior squelch, sophisticated beats and Lotus sublime vocals all cut-up into a bonafide gem. 141 finds The Rockers Hi Fi Farda P assuming mic. duties riding a smooth stonker of a rhythm that will be under your skin in next to no time. I could go on but you should have the picture by now, if you only buy one major label local release this year then this would be my tip thus far. And if youre reading this before the weekend, circle your wagons and head up to Galatos for the release shindig featuring Nomad-ity as well as Dunedins delicious deck doctor Downtown Brown and a cornucopia of others.

Otago Daily Times 1 October 1999

Former Dunedin DJ the Nomad aka Daimon returns to Dunedin tomorrow as part of a national tour to promote his new album Second Selection. He started off in Christchurch tonight and with the same team MC Antsman, Lotus and Dunedins Downtown Brown- travels on to Auckland, then Wellington after tomorrows show.

"Im having the same support in each centre, rather than getting localsIts quite nice to have support teams coming from different places and (performers) in the city wont have to worry about playing that night. They can come out and enjoy themselves."

There were usually "wicked vibes" at Dunedin gigs, Daimon says. "People will come out and dance at 9 or 10 at night. The rest of the country is more conservative.

Dunedins inhibition possibly stemmed from its lack of size, he said. "You lose that hassle to be something that youre not. You dont have to strive to please people you just go out."

Daimon left Dunedin seven years ago, after establishing himself as a DJ, playing hip-hop sounds at the former Taipai nightclub in Ratray Street.

"It was quite crazy to come back and see its been turned into a carpark." He said.

"My god a car park! My roots

Daimon is based in Wellington but Christchurch has been home in recent years. He had regular spots at the citys top hip-hop clubs after winning a DJ competition and his own music developed from there.

"I hired other DJs to work with me. I bought a sampler"

Joining up with vocalist Pearl Runga and a friend on keyboards, Daimon co-produced with Salmonella Dub engineer Tiki the first Nomad album, Movement. It was released independently and sold out in eight months. Movement was predominantly drum and bass sounds and tracks on Second Selection have moved on from there.

" Because I was born in the South Island Ive lived all around New Zealand, its got a New Zealand sound to it."