Radical Vertical

Arman Nafeei
People
Interview by Holger Homann
Photo by Arman Nafeei
HH How did you become a Music
Director at the Standard Hotel Group?
AN When I was a student in London, I
was active in the art world and also worked
as a DJ in various clubs and events. At some
point I started to work more and more with
Jay Jopling’s White Cube gallery. When I
completed my studies, I was desperate to
move to New York to work in the legendary
Boom Boom room, which was the coolest club
describe yourself in terms of your profession?
AN Entertainer certainly describes what
I actually do much better. I’ve been working
as a DJ since I was 16. Nevertheless, I wasn’t
too happy about calling myself a DJ because
I never intentionally planned to become just a
DJ, considering it to be too monotonous and
pretty exhausting as well after a while. Of
course it’s lots of fun, but also full of ups and
downs. In my current situation, I can choose to
do fewer but more distinguished
gigs. I love to host and entertain
people. Be it at a dinner, a gig or any
other event—I enjoy that as much as
I do.
HH Someone who works at
Chateau Marmont is in daily contact
with VIPs. Are there any personal
relationships or friendships that
have emerged from your job?
AN Yes, of course, but that
happens quite naturally as you get
to know people. Celebrity or not
doesn’t matter to me. The main
thing is whether it clicks. I have met
many celebrities over the years and
there have been disappointments as
well as positive surprises.
HH For some time
now you have your own radio
format (“Chez Arman”: a radio
show introducing listeners
to sounds, interviewees
and poetry from around the
world). What do you like
about this work especially in
relation to the job of a DJ?
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in the world back then. I didn’t know Andre
but fortunately it turned out that Jay was very
good friends with him. It took a few months,
but Jay finally convinced Andre to give me a
chance, and I think both of them were happy
with the way things turned out. I certainly was!
HH You then left New York for Los
Angeles to work as a “Directeur d’ambiance”
at the Chateau Marmont. Why this title?
AN Andre had been calling me his
Director of Ambience for years, which I never
liked too much since my official title was
Music Director. But after a while, I got more
and more used to it, and due to my wideranging
experiences in the Music business far
beyond the usual tasks of a Music Director,
the title seemed to fit much better as I grew
more comfortable in the role. I decided to
translate the title into French though—it is
so much funnier.
HH In my opinion, you are more of an
entertainer rather than a DJ. How would you
AN The radio show actually
happened quite spontaneously. I
was once a guest at Dublab radio,
which is a very cool underground
station in LA. I got talking with
the people who run the station—
et voila two weeks later they
offered me a small slot in their
program. The show is pretty easy to handle for
me because I have no fixed date and so
I can adjust it to my actual schedule. The
name of the show and the concept turned
out to be almost like being a guest in my
home for one hour—entertained by music,
by other people or texts.
HH Which project currently occupies
you most?
AN The biggest project I’ve been
working on for almost two years is the opening
of my own club in the chateau, which should
hopefully be completed by the end of this year!
HH Could you also imagine doing
something completely different? Imagine
being able to wish for anything at all!
AN There is a lot I can think of. Like
opening my own spa, cinema or a beach club.
But it can also be a completely different thing,
where I choose to move to the countryside and
become an organic farmer.
CHEZ ARMAN