Name: Skander Ben Yahia aka Near Stoic
Nationality: Tunisian
Occupation: Producer, performer
Current release: Near Stoic is one of the artists contributing to the new V/A - Place: Tunisia compilation curated by Azu Tiwaline and Shinigami San and released on Air Texture.
Recommendations: Tomáš Dvořák – Machinarium Soundtrack (2010) [Minority Records]; Alessandro Sicioldr – Inabissante (2020)

If you enjoyed this Near Stoic interview and would like to keep up to date with his music, visit him on Instagram.




When did you start writing/producing/playing music and what or who were your early passions and influences? What was it about music and/or sound that drew you to it?

I started my journey in music at the age of 15 or 16, when I first discovered Garageband. Initially, my experimentation with the tool was irregular and without any specific objective, but it sparked a fascination in me for creating music.

After a long “break”, I began to seriously pursue music production in late 2015 at the age of 21. During that time, I was deeply into techno and was heavily influenced by legends of the genre such as Jeff Mills, Luke Slater, Surgeon, and others. However, my musical influences were diverse and ranged from ambient to metal, encompassing a wide range of styles and genres.

[Read our Jeff Mills interview]

For me, producing music was a way to express myself and my ideas in a new way. I was also drawn to the challenge of it, as my inner nerd enjoyed the technical aspects of music production.

When I listen to music, I see shapes, objects and colours. What happens in your body when you're listening and how does it influence your approach to creativity?

Even though I tend to close my eyes when listening to music I particularly enjoy, I don't necessarily see any specific visualizations.

Occasionally, I may associate colors with certain genres, but this is not a frequent occurrence. For me, the physical indicator of great music is having goosebumps and a strong desire to fully focus on the music and lose myself in the sound.

How would you describe your development as an artist in terms of interests and challenges, searching for a personal voice, as well as breakthroughs?

My evolution as an artist has been greatly influenced by the music I discovered and my desire to incorporate these new influences into my existing musical palette. I was also constantly pushing myself to master the technical aspects of music production, which played a significant role in my development.

At one point, I stopped producing for a year and a half and shifted my focus towards generative music techniques. I was intrigued by the interplay between the human and the machine in the creative process and wanted to better understand it. This was a challenge.

I have always been driven by the need for new challenges and to continue learning and growing as an artist. Finding my personal voice is an ongoing process and these challenges and experiences help me to shape and refine my sound.

Tell me a bit about your sense of identity and how it influences both your preferences as a listener and your creativity as an artist, please.

My sense of identity influences the themes and topics explored in some of my tracks. This may result in the use of specific samples, but I try not to let it dictate the overall sound of my music.

What, would you say, are the key ideas behind your approach to music and art?

When it comes to my approach to music and art, my key objective is to tell a story to the listener and touch their emotions and soul. I believe that music has the power to connect people on a deep level, and I strive to share my own emotions and experiences through my music. To me, the act of sharing personal stories with strangers through music is truly powerful and exciting.

My goal is to create a meaningful and impactful connection with the listener, and to allow them to feel and experience the emotions and story that I am trying to convey.

How would you describe your views on topics like originality and innovation versus perfection and timelessness in music? Are you interested in a “music of the future” or “continuing a tradition”?

I believe that perfection is not the most important aspect of music, and that timelessness is more closely linked to originality and innovation. I am more interested in these three concepts, as they help to shape the unique sound of an artist. However, I also recognize that the significance of these concepts can vary depending on the context and scale of the music being created.

To me, the most important thing is to have fun while messing with music and to stay true to oneself and honest with one's listeners. This helps to ensure that the music is authentic, which is what truly resonates with people and makes it timeless.

I am definitely more into creating something new than simply continuing a tradition. However I am not shaping the sound of the future (yet).

Over the course of your development, what have been your most important instruments and tools - and what are the most promising strategies for working with them?

My most fundamental instruments and tools have evolved throughout my journey as a producer, but if I had to pick the three that have been most impactful:

First, Logic has always been my go-to DAW. Second, my modular synth has been a defining factor in my understanding of electronic music synthesis and tearing up musical boundaries in terms of music production. And lastly, Reaktor played a crucial role in introducing me to the world of subtractive synthesis and providing a solid foundation before I ventured into the modular world.

I also highly value the amazing user community that Reaktor has, which has always been a great source of inspiration.

Take us through a day in your life, from a possible morning routine through to your work, please.

Breakfast and then I start my workday from home which allows me to better manage my time.

Once my work tasks are out of the way and my mind is free, I can start producing music. However, it can sometimes be difficult to get creative when workdays are heavy.

Could you describe your creative process on the basis of a piece, live performance or album that's particularly dear to you, please?

My approach to creating music is very fluid, and I don't stick to a strict method.

For the tracks on my album Notebook (Thoughts and Short Stories) I would usually begin by choosing a vague direction, which was often influenced by my mood or a recent event. This choice would help me define the scales and key that I would build the piece around. I tended to start by writing melodies.



However, there were instances where the initial idea of a track was strongly linked to sample of ambiances, and in those cases, I would start with that and build the music around the sample.

Once I had my starting point, I let the creative flow guide me. I would experiment with different rhythmic elements. My process was never fixed and I liked to try different approaches each time to avoid falling into a musical routine.

Another important aspect of my creative process was the use of different tape formats. For instance, I used dictaphones to build up a very personal bank of recordings, which allowed me to better transcribe certain aspects of my life into my music.

Finding a recording of a moment that captured my mood and emotions was often very inspiring to me.

Listening can be both a solitary and a communal activity. Likewise, creating music can be private or collaborative. Can you talk about your preferences in this regard and how these constellations influence creative results?

My preference has always been solitary when it comes to both listening and creating music. However, I am relatively new to working collaboratively on music projects and I have to say that I'm really enjoying it.

I believe that a mix of both worlds, where I can work on solo projects as well as collaborative projects, would be the ideal scenario for me as each offers unique creative possibilities and results.

How do your work and your creativity relate to the world and what is the role of music in society?

As a producer and listener, I believe that music has numerous roles in society that can vary depending on various parameters such as the scale of the event or ceremony, culture, etc.

However, the aspect of music that resonates the most with me is its cathartic power. There is something truly beautiful about finding the right melody that matches your story, the right beat that accompanies your dance, or the right music that soothes your pain.

Art can be a way of dealing with the big topics in life: Life, loss, death, love, pain, and many more. In which way and on which occasions has music – both your own or that of others - contributed to your understanding of these questions?

Music has always been an integral part of my understanding of life's big topics. Whether it's my own music or that of others, it has played a crucial role in helping me navigate through the ups and downs of life.

Whether it's through its cathartic aspect or the way it helps us put words to our feelings, music has always been a source of comfort and understanding for me.

How do you see the connection between music and science and what can these two fields reveal about each other?  

The connection between music and science is a two-way street, as both fields can reveal new insights and perspectives about each other. As two important philosophers have said: 'Music is math.'

I believe that music can be seen as a science just as much as math or physics can be seen as an art. Music can reveal the underlying mathematical structures that exist in sound and rhythm, highlighting the connection between music and the natural laws of physics. Also, both fields are dependent on each other, as advancements in science have often led to innovations in music and vice versa.

Science rules music and music inspires science.

Creativity can reach many different corners of our lives. Do you feel as though writing or performing a piece of music is inherently different from something like making a great cup of coffee? What do you express through music that you couldn't or wouldn't in more 'mundane' tasks?

I believe so. Writing or performing a piece of music is inherently different from something like making a great cup of coffee, even though some might see it as the same. When it comes to artistic expressions like music, artists pour a lot of themselves, their time, emotions, and they expose themselves, in order to create or perform their piece of art.

I believe that music can be a powerful tool for self-expression and communication, especially for those who may not be as skilled with words. It allows me to say things I may not be able to articulate as well through words, and to share my personal experiences and perspectives with others.

Whether it's a positive or a negative event in the real world, making music allows me to process and express what I'm feeling.

Music is vibration in the air, captured by our ear drums. From your perspective as a creator and listener, do you have an explanation how it able to transmit such diverse and potentially deep messages?

Music is a universal language that can evoke deep emotions and transmit diverse messages because it touches us on a primal level.

It speaks to us through rhythm, melody, and harmony, connecting with our emotions and memories.