It’s about time singer-songwriter Nomi Ruiz and DJ/producer Eli Escobar released a joint album. The psychotically talented, frequent collaborators and longtime friends first joined forces back in 2011 for “Desire,” a dance track that marries disco shimmer with torch-song ache. Since then, they’ve dropped several euphoric, dancefloor-ready gems—including standout tracks from Ruiz’s beloved electro-pop project Jessica 6.

The Nuyorican artists’ roots in New York City’s nightlife and underground music scenes run deeper than the subway system. For them, creating Love Louder—out now via Razor-N-Tape—became a way to reconnect and honor what’s been lost—from close friends to vanishing venues across the city. It’s a kaleidoscopic soundtrack to the city that shaped them, grounded in their dedication to preserving NYC’s cultural soul. (That commitment extends to Escobar’s Williamsburg nightclub, Gabriela, which has quickly become one of the city’s best places to dance.)

Leading up to its release, they’ve dropped three singles, including “Full Fantasy,” a shadowy and cinematic number destined to shake strobe-lit dance floors from Bushwick to Berlin; the steamy ’90s house banger “Juice”; and “The Spell,” an atmospheric ballad drenched in Ruiz’s haunting harmonies and Escobar’s cascading, transcendent synths. “Everything we’ve done together feels natural and fun—and it always lands,” says Ruiz. “We trust each other’s instincts. It’s been a real creative partnership.”

Below, the powerhouse duo dives into the deeply personal story behind Love Louder and the scenes that raised them. Plus, they share a few favorite spots for coffee, dinner, and dancing the night away in an ever-evolving, eternally electrifying New York City.

PS: Want to experience the full fantasy in person? Don’t miss Nomi Ruiz: Love Louder Live!  at Joe’s Pub on September 26 and Escobar’s “Romance” party every Thursday night at Gabriela.

Alex Catarinella: What was the journey that led to Love Louder? Did you always know it would become a full-length album?

Nomi Ruiz: From the moment Eli and I released our first collab, “Desire,” I think we knew we were onto something. Eli and I have similar music journeys where we have a real love for hip-hop that somehow connected us to dance music. We’ve released a few singles since “Desire,” and it felt so natural for us to continue collaborating. A lot of our friends and fans were also asking for a full-length project, so I think we knew in the back of our minds it was kind of a no-brainer. 

Eli Escobar: Nomi and I loosely talked about doing a project together for a while. Our friend James (aka DJ Blue Jemz) was especially enthusiastic about the idea and used to push for it. When he passed away, the music just came very quickly and naturally. I think I also felt like we were honoring him by finally writing and recording a full album. 

AC: How did you two first meet, and what is it about your creative connection that keeps bringing you back together? What feels different or special about this project in particular?

EE: In 2009, DJ Stretch Armstrong connected us to record a song [“Desire”] for his label. I just remember feeling so thrilled to have someone write something so exactly right for my beats! We have a lot of the same DNA musically, and I think we felt that connection instantly. This project was particularly rewarding because the music is a lot more personal than anything we’ve done together before. I also felt very empowered to stretch out musically and experiment with ballads, pop music, and some freestyle, and I knew that none of this would be a challenge for Nomi. 

NR: This project goes beyond the dance floor for us. When our close friend [Blue Jemz] passed away suddenly while we were working on it, it changed the direction of the content for me. I think it became a way to express what we were feeling at that time. I did a lot of processing through the songwriting. You can hear a bit of mourning in the lyrics and a deeper value for being present and expressing love in a world that is fleeting.

Love Louder LP cover art by Jess Cuevas

AC: From the music to the visuals, Love Louder feels like a nostalgic love letter to NYC—is this accurate? What were some musical inspirations? 

EE: There is definitely a lot of nostalgia. We were writing these songs in the aftermath of losing a close friend, and I think you start to really think about your life in general in those moments. It’s lamenting a lot of things that have passed: time, friends, and relationships. Musically, I drew inspiration from some of my favorite albums that also deal with these themes. Behaviour by the Pet Shop Boys and Erotica by Madonna are a couple that come to mind.

NR: Visually, we definitely wanted to go for something nostalgic since the sound also brings you back to another time and place. I think the album unlocks memories, and we wanted the visuals to reflect that. We started going through old photos we had in our archives, and I reached out to Jess Cuevas, who is an amazing visual artist, to sort through our images. He created a stunning collage that ties the album together visually. I also began transferring lots of VHS tapes and mini-DVs I had around to draw from for more visual content. Literally unlocking the past.

AC: You’re both New Yorkers, but what neighborhood do you consider home?

NR: I’m from Brooklyn, so that will always be home for me, but I’ve lived all around the city and have deep memories in every single borough. I don’t think I can call one part of New York home. It’s all-encompassing for me. You have to take it all in and keep tapping into what’s happening all around.

EE: ​​At this point, I’ve been living downtown longer than I did uptown, but there’s just something about the neighborhood you grew up in that always feels like home. I grew up on 97th and Amsterdam. It’s changed a lot, but I still get that warm, feels-like-home sensation when I go up to visit my mom!

AC: What are your favorite restaurants in NYC? Any must-order dishes?

NR: One of my current favorites is a Georgian restaurant in the East Village called Saperavi—they have an insanely delicious lamb dish. Their pickled veggies are also to die for. I keep going back to taste more of the menu.

EE: For me, it’s Cafe Mogador. I also have a soft spot for Chino-Latino food—Flor De Mayo or La Nueva Victoria on the UWS are both the best. I also highly recommend the Tagliolini Al Sapore Di Mare at Il Posto Accanto in the East Village. 

 

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A post shared by Gabriela. (@gabriela90.nyc)

AC: Favorite bars and clubs?

NR: Obviously, Eli’s club, Gabriela, is a staple for me. You always know there will be good music and vibes. For a bar vibe, Ruffian in the East Village is a new go-to for me—they have a chic happy hour.

EE: Basement and Gabriela!

AC: Favorite coffee shop?

NR: Lê Phin is a new fav. Delicious coffee that hits you in the right spots. I usually grab a cup to-go with a friend and walk over to Tompkins Square Skate Park to watch the skaters and catch up.

EE: Joe on Waverly. 

AC: How about cool stores? For clothes, records, whatever you love.

NR: I like to shop secondhand. There are so many spots in Bushwick now. I go to Other People’s Clothes a bunch, where I always find great pieces, and there’s an outdoor market nearby called Bushwick Market that has lots of hidden treasures. 

EE: I basically live at A1 Records. I also love Metropolis for thrifting.

AC: What are some of your favorite venues to play in NYC? Have you performed at any iconic spots, and do any stand out in your memory?

NR: Joe’s Pub has always been a favorite of mine to play at. I have the best memories of past shows there. I’m excited to be returning with a new band in September. There used to be a venue called Tonic that hosted a lot of experimental artists. I used to play there a bunch as well and try out new material. Performing with Hercules & Love Affair at Irving Plaza is also a career highlight for me. It was sold out, and the audience was wild AF—a night to remember.

EE: When I was in high school, I was in a punk band, and we played Limelight, which was, like, such a huge deal for us. All of us had already been there, just going clubbing, and it was such a cool, beautiful venue. Playing there is a core memory for me, and we had so many friends and NYC high school kids come to see us and support us!

AC: Do you have any upcoming performances or DJ sets in NYC that you’re excited about?

EE: I always have tons, but right now I am hyper-focused on my weekly Thursday night party, “Romance,” at Gabriela. I just love the crowd that comes and how they let me play all the sad, emotional music I want. It’s like a dream come true for me!

NR: Joe’s Pub on September 26th! It’s going to be all about real, live musicianship. The band is tight: Monika Heidemann on keys and vocals, Joy Joseph on percussion and vocals, Guy Licata on drums, Jason Lindner on piano and keys, and Josh Werner on bass. They’re all superstars. 

AC: And finally… Is there a song or album that most reminds you of your New York?

NR: “Silent Morning” by Noel.

EE: Joe Jackson’s Night and Day.

Listen to Love Louder by @nomiruiz and @eliescobarnyc—here.

WORDS Alex Catarinella 

PHOTOGRAPHY Kenny Rodriguez