Fallout Frequencies: How NUKEM! Is Building a Gulf Coast Bass Network from the Underground Up

NOLA EDM: For those meeting you for the first time — who is NUKEM!?

Nukem!: “Nukem!” Was a project created off the idea of my love for heavier styles of music. I grew up listening to heavy metal and slam metal and love heavier sounds and the culture of moshpitting. I also created this project to show people who start with nothing that they can also succeed through hard work, determination, and never taking no for an answer. I grew up from having little to nothing and was constantly trying to find ways of making a name for myself. I eventually landed in the edm community 2 years ago and fell in love with art of dj’ing. Since then it’s been nonstop grinding.

NOLA EDM: Your sound leans heavy, intentional, and built for proper systems. How would you describe the lane you’re carving out right now, and what elements matter most when you’re building a set?

Nukem!: My goal with this project Is just for people to come to my sets and get wild and crazy with no bars held for an hour straight! What matters to me the most when building sets is how well songs flow into each other and if I’m keeping the energy at maximum the entire duration of a set. Mixing tearout is often difficult when different tearout songs have different styles of sounds and energy so I spend hours practicing transitions to the the smallest details to ensure the energy is constantly high and so that the pits keep rolling!

NOLA EDM: How do your studio productions translate into your live performances?

Nukem!: Currently at the moment I’m just mixing other artist music which has gotten me where im at now and I always make sure to shout out artist who’s songs I rinse in my sets.  Financial struggles and working 2 jobs kept me from  being able to invest into production but I now am in the process of learning how to produce my own music and will hopefully have some nukem originals and ids by the summer time! But I have a really great ear for mixing and knowing what parts of songs to use in sets to keep the energy high!

NOLA EDM: New Orleans has a distinct relationship with bass culture and underground music.

How has the local scene — or the Gulf South more broadly — influenced your growth as an artist?

Nukem!: I was first inspired to start dj’ing from my buddy and fellow Alabama local “Morbeato”. I first saw Morbeato play back in December of 2023 at republic Nola when he opened for Herobust and it inspired me to get into dj’ing myself! I bought my very first board from him, and helped me learn how to properly use a board and mix. Other fellow Alabama locals such as “holy smokes”, “Kryptk” gave me hope that even though I’m from a place where the edm scene is extremely niche, I can still get somewhere with it and potentially make a career path out of dj’ing. I’ve met a lot of Mississippi djs and got integrated with the Mississippi scene where I started building my brand and fan base with the production company, “Area 34 edm”. I eventually made my way over to New Orleans where I had the opportunity to open for “He$h” and ever since then I’ve been apart of amped productions as well. Currently right now I’m slowly integrating myself into the pensecola scene and I’m currently running my own production company called “Fallout Frequencies” as a way to use my success as a dj to help build the scene in Mobile, Alabama to help inspire other djs to follow their dreams!

NOLA EDM: What can people expect when they catch a NUKEM! set for the first time?

Nukem!: High-pressure and aggressive! Tearout isn’t everyone but if you come to a nukem set bring all the energy your body holds and leave it all in the pit!

NOLA EDM: Are there any upcoming shows, bookings, or projects you’re able to talk about right now?

Nukem!:

So I’m currently booked to play another “Fallout frequency” show on January 24th in mobile, Alabama. Where I’ll be going B2B with my buddy kae.

 I’m playing abduction with area 34 where I’ll be opening for Hostage Situation, dêdre, and Contra on February 13th-14th. 

February 28th I’ll be making my Atlanta debut where I’ll be playing at “Dayglow Atlanta” for a heavy bass and ridddim show called “Enter the Asylum”. I’m also opening for Bommer and Midnight T in New Orleans on june 5th & 6th.

NOLA EDM: Looking ahead, what’s next for you in 2026?

NUKEM!: My goal for 2026 is to really evolve the Nukem project and brand by making my presence known throughout the gulf coast and leaving an impression on people who haven’t seen me play yet. I want to expand this project by playing in more northern states where bass music is in more demand. I want to play more big game shows with bigger artist to gain connections and knowledge on what it will take for me to reach the same heights as my idols in this scene. I want to really focus on the production side of edm and create a sound distinct to the myself. As of right now I don’t have any plans on collaborations with anyone but am open to the idea of collaborations! I’m also planning  investing a lot more time and money in my production company to corner the market for edm in Mobile, Alabama. I want to give smaller djs another stop on the gulf coast to play, make friends and connections and help currate growing djs make new fans while at the same having everyone who comes to a Fallout frequency show feel welcomed, loved and appreciated wether your an artist or a customer!