Modular Performance 221220

Techno Doctor Nicolas Bougaïeff is a Berlin-based electronic producer and artist known for pushing the boundaries of sound, rhythm, and tempo. With a PhD in minimal techno, Bougaïeff bridges the worlds of rigorous theory and bold experimentation, merging academic precision with sonic innovation. 

His background — shaped by a multicultural upbringing and an academic career — deeply informs his approach to both music and life.
Born in Canada, Bougaïeff’s heritage spans Hungary, Poland, Russia, and France, and his early exposure to linguistics and diverse cultures shaped his worldview. “Learning a new language and integrating into new cultures felt normal to me,” he reflects, explaining his seamless transition to Berlin life in 2008, where he immersed himself in the city's techno scene.

For over a decade, Bougaïeff has explored the intersections between music, mathematics, and technology. His pioneering concepts, such as Pivot Mixing (a technique for tempo modulation in electronic music) and Prime Rhythms (polyrhythms based on prime number ratios), have challenged the traditional understandings of rhythm in electronic dance music. His work often incorporates bespoke tuning systems and experimental synthesis techniques, reflecting his deep engagement with modular hardware. This is further demonstrated in his collaborations with manufacturers like dadamachines and Five12.

As a performer, Bougaïeff has captivated audiences at iconic venues and festivals such as Berghain, fabric London, and MUTEK Montréal, blending intense club energy with avant-garde experimentation. His personal journey as an outsider—navigating Berlin’s techno scene as an immigrant—mirrors the integration of techniques typically foreign to dance music, resulting in a distinctive sound that challenges conventions. Beyond the dancefloor, his collaborations span visual artists, classical musicians, and technologists. Notably, Bougaïeff co-founded Liine, a music technology company with Richie Hawtin, which developed the Lemur app — famously used by astronaut Alexander Gerst on the International Space Station.

For Bougaïeff, music is both a technical craft and a vehicle for profound expression. His artistic journey spans diverse sonic landscapes, from early releases on labels like Trapez to his debut album The Upward Spiral (2020), which captured the industrial techno sound of the clubs he frequented. The album was followed by Higher Up The Spiral (2020), a remix compilation featuring Chris Liebing, Dusty Kid, and Introversion, highlighting his ever-evolving sound.

In his follow-up album Begin Within (2022), released on Mute, Bougaïeff ventured into new sonic territories, incorporating his voice as an instrument — a bold step in his ongoing exploration and redefinition of musical boundaries. In 2024, he released a series of EPs on NovaMute, further showcasing his signature approach to polytemporality by blending complex rhythms and tempos into a distinctive auditory experience.

"I see my music as an act of liberation," Bougaïeff states. "Liberation from within, from the boundaries of genre, and from constraints of thought. Problems are soluble. Everything will be okay."

Record label and podcast series from Matthew Burton & Kate Rathod.

I obviously do everything to be hard to understand myself