Actor and DJ Kristian Nairn from HBO's "Game of Thrones" and his memoir "Beyond the Throne" joins us on Story & Craft.
Listen on your favorite app
Actor and DJ Kristian Nairn from HBO’s “Game of Thrones” and his memoir “Beyond the Throne” joins us on Story & Craft.
Kristian is known for “Game of Thrones” and “Our Flag Means Death” and for his work as a DJ. We talk about the cultural impact of “Game of Thrones,” his creative process as a DJ, and writing about his life, including self-acceptance and authenticity.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
Introduction to Story Craft
The Journey to Game of Thrones
DJing and Musical Influences
The Art of Remixing
Performing Live and Acting
Early Life and Education
The DJ Journey Begins
Dream Festivals and Travel
Memorable Nights in Ibiza
The Club Scene and Its Culture
Acting Aspirations and Career Reflections
Writing the Book: Epiphanies and Reflections
The Seven Questions
STAY IN THE KNOW
- Website: https://www.storyandcraftpod.com
FOLLOW THE SHOW
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyandcraftpod
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyandcraftpod
CONNECT WITH MARC
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airpreston
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcpreston
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Full Transcript
Part 1
Kristian Nairn:00:00:01
Because they have a castle built inside a
2
Introduction to Story Craft
,060 --> 00:00:04,790
studio, and everything's real.
3
,210 --> 00:00:06,730
It's not just silly props.
4
,020 --> 00:00:08,260
Everything smells correct.
5
,530 --> 00:00:10,200
Not that I know what a
castle should smell like.
6
,369 --> 00:00:12,920
There would be real dead animals
hanging out, like, you really
7
,920 --> 00:00:13,799
felt like you were there.
8
,039 --> 00:00:15,690
Announcer: Welcome to Story Craft.
9
,250 --> 00:00:18,409
Now, here's your host, Marc Preston.
10
,569 --> 00:00:19,250
Marc Preston: Okay, here we go.
11
,250 --> 00:00:21,709
Another episode of Story Craft.
12
,729 --> 00:00:22,630
How are you?
13
,849 --> 00:00:23,639
Hope you're doing well.
14
,650 --> 00:00:25,069
My name is Marc Preston.
15
,099 --> 00:00:29,319
If this is your first episode
of Story Craft, welcome.
16
,320 --> 00:00:29,384
Welcome.
17
,384 --> 00:00:33,545
So glad to have you appreciate you,
uh, being by for the fun and mischief.
18
,585 --> 00:00:37,095
And of course, if this is a return
episode, you've been here before.
19
,095 --> 00:00:39,485
Thank you for coming back by very much.
20
,495 --> 00:00:40,155
Appreciate it.
21
,535 --> 00:00:44,724
All right today, Kristian Nairn going
to let you check out the, uh, sit down
22
,765 --> 00:00:47,524
Kristian and I had a really cool guy.
23
,555 --> 00:00:49,655
You might know him from game of Thrones.
24
,665 --> 00:00:53,085
Uh, also our flag means
death and other HBO show.
25
,345 --> 00:00:56,845
Uh, now the new book he has
out a memoir is called beyond.
26
,050 --> 00:01:01,430
The throne talking about his life,
his background, uh, not only as an
27
,440 --> 00:01:06,480
actor, but as a DJ, uh, he's mixed
with and toured with, uh, some big
28
,480 --> 00:01:08,569
names, just an interesting guy.
29
,739 --> 00:01:11,100
Really enjoyed the opportunity
to sit down with Kristian.
30
,179 --> 00:01:14,389
Also appreciate the opportunity
to have you here with me.
31
,649 --> 00:01:15,820
Uh, don't forget if you would.
32
,990 --> 00:01:18,759
Just go and follow the
show, uh, super simple.
33
,759 --> 00:01:23,130
Make sure you follow, uh, like the show,
uh, ring the bell, all that kind of stuff
34
,130 --> 00:01:25,159
that you do, uh, on your podcast app.
35
,519 --> 00:01:28,770
That way you get notified every
time there is a new episode.
36
,809 --> 00:01:32,799
And also it's a way to show a little bit
of love and you know, I appreciate it.
37
,799 --> 00:01:34,610
I'm sending you a big hug right now.
38
,660 --> 00:01:38,600
For showing love and also
a story and craft pod.
39
,990 --> 00:01:42,050
com, the website, everything you
could possibly want to know about
40
,050 --> 00:01:45,299
the show again, story and craft pod.
41
,730 --> 00:01:46,270
com.
42
,660 --> 00:01:47,099
All right.
43
,100 --> 00:01:50,740
So, uh, right now I've got a,
uh, golden retriever, uh, the
44
,740 --> 00:01:52,699
ranger is underneath my legs here.
45
,080 --> 00:01:54,329
Uh, he's being very good.
46
,639 --> 00:01:55,959
Uh, yes, I'm talking about you.
47
,374 --> 00:01:59,365
You know, it's his first show he's
done with me, hanging out, sitting, uh,
48
,374 --> 00:02:01,204
sitting with me here while I record.
49
,335 --> 00:02:03,794
He's looking at me going,
make this thing interesting.
50
,844 --> 00:02:08,064
Okay, so I will do that right
now because it is Kristian Nairn
51
,074 --> 00:02:10,444
Day, right here on Story Craft.
52
,054 --> 00:02:14,184
Kristian Nairn: Yeah, it's very much
about our flagman's death at the moment.
53
,394 --> 00:02:16,965
Although there's definitely been a
resurgence and the interest for Game
54
,965 --> 00:02:19,995
of Thrones with It's interesting,
55
,335 --> 00:02:23,795
Marc Preston: it seems like Game of
Thrones, it has kind of like a following
56
,795 --> 00:02:27,854
which doesn't abate, you know, it's just
people are just very passionate about it.
57
,064 --> 00:02:32,434
Now the, the book you put out, is it a
memoir or is it kind of you reflecting
58
,434 --> 00:02:34,585
on your time uh, doing Game of Thrones?
59
,585 --> 00:02:37,040
Okay, what's kind of For lack
of a better way of putting
60
,040 --> 00:02:38,540
Kristian Nairn: it, the gist of the book.
61
,610 --> 00:02:41,660
Well, when I first started this
process, I didn't know the difference
62
,690 --> 00:02:42,980
between an autobiography and a memoir.
63
,110 --> 00:02:45,840
But I do now know that it is,
it is definitely a memoir.
64
,340 --> 00:02:52,080
It's just a time in my life, really,
right from the start till now, um, it's
65
,080 --> 00:02:54,589
not an autobiography because I still
believe there's plenty more to come.
66
,020 --> 00:02:57,249
I'm interested to see
what's going to happen now.
67
,279 --> 00:03:01,155
I'm not going to write another
one, but, um, It's just about
68
,175 --> 00:03:02,955
how the show changed my life.
69
,175 --> 00:03:05,145
It really helped me fit into my own skin.
70
,145 --> 00:03:09,154
And, uh, I try to make me, I
don't say that I set it into
71
,154 --> 00:03:10,714
my life when I was younger.
72
,255 --> 00:03:15,605
And through things like Game
of Thrones, music, performance,
73
,184 --> 00:03:18,124
and really finding who I am.
74
,914 --> 00:03:23,654
Um, I made my life fit me rather
than me trying to fit in, you
75
,654 --> 00:03:26,034
know, and that's been successful
76
The Journey to Game of Thrones
,034 --> 00:03:26,154
Marc Preston: for me.
77
,840 --> 00:03:28,250
How did Game of Thrones come to you?
78
,250 --> 00:03:31,520
I mean, was there something that
you were just a working actor?
79
,520 --> 00:03:33,960
You're out there, you're auditioning,
or was there somebody saw you?
80
,960 --> 00:03:37,000
It's like, yeah, we got this thing
we're doing and you're great for it.
81
,089 --> 00:03:39,020
You know, how did it
come together for you?
82
,160 --> 00:03:39,899
That's a little bit of
83
,900 --> 00:03:40,280
Kristian Nairn: both.
84
,360 --> 00:03:42,050
Um, I wasn't working as
an actor at the time.
85
,400 --> 00:03:47,730
I was, uh, I was actually a drag
artist, a DJ, um, and occasionally I
86
,730 --> 00:03:50,910
would have had a dramatic audition,
but I didn't really, honestly, I didn't
87
,910 --> 00:03:54,400
really have that much interest in it
at the time because I thought music
88
,430 --> 00:03:55,570
was the only thing that fulfilled me.
89
,275 --> 00:04:00,715
Um, I later discovered that it's actually
expression that fulfills me, any kind of
90
,715 --> 00:04:08,555
expression, be it acting, be it DJing,
singing, be it drawing a picture on my
91
,555 --> 00:04:10,394
own with no, with no commercial attitudes.
92
,734 --> 00:04:11,795
It all makes me feel the same.
93
,125 --> 00:04:12,924
And that's a good thing.
94
,825 --> 00:04:15,785
I just have to express and create.
95
,384 --> 00:04:19,875
Um, and that's the, what the
book shows, but it wasn't an
96
,875 --> 00:04:21,265
easy path for me to get there.
97
,965 --> 00:04:26,834
I take passive blame for that
as well myself, because you have
98
,835 --> 00:04:27,874
to believe in yourself before
99
,875 --> 00:04:28,394
Marc Preston: anybody else will.
100
,395 --> 00:04:31,570
Transcribed I think a lot of self doubt
anytime you, anytime you do something
101
,570 --> 00:04:35,390
creative, you know, because what I think
motivates people to do something creative.
102
,890 --> 00:04:40,060
Uh, and the folks I've spoken with here
and in my career and doing what I do, you
103
,060 --> 00:04:42,719
know, you have a lot of folks are kind of
in their own head a little bit, you know,
104
,719 --> 00:04:44,080
they have something they want to express.
105
,080 --> 00:04:46,169
They just got to find the right path.
106
DJing and Musical Influences
,190 --> 00:04:48,120
You know, you said you were DJing.
107
,190 --> 00:04:51,590
That's something for me, which is
very cool because I know only my kids
108
,590 --> 00:04:55,760
who have this, the, your, your genre
of music or genres of music, uh,
109
,770 --> 00:04:57,750
something I'm, I'm actually pretty into.
110
,140 --> 00:05:02,090
Question, cause I got a nerd out
on this, your opinion, uh, cause
111
,090 --> 00:05:05,640
you're the only, the only mixer DJ
I've had a chance to speak with.
112
,185 --> 00:05:06,885
Oh, no, no, no, no.
113
,885 --> 00:05:07,205
I did.
114
,235 --> 00:05:07,545
I did.
115
,545 --> 00:05:11,085
No, I did speak to Ariel Vroman,
uh, who's a director as well.
116
,365 --> 00:05:12,225
I did speak with him.
117
,695 --> 00:05:13,705
Uh, he has that new show.
118
,745 --> 00:05:15,465
It'll be, uh, 1992 coming out.
119
,554 --> 00:05:18,735
Um, would you say, like,
would it be, like, maybe mid
120
,735 --> 00:05:20,075
to late 90s to early 2000s?
121
,815 --> 00:05:24,590
Do you think that was kind of like a A
golden era, a lot of the guys which are
122
,590 --> 00:05:28,620
now being sampled in music, uh, and,
and, or being having remixes come out.
123
,890 --> 00:05:30,140
What, what is your thought on that?
124
,150 --> 00:05:33,190
Just to kind of as a little side
note, do you think that was sort of a
125
,259 --> 00:05:35,659
pivotal era in, in electronic music?
126
,889 --> 00:05:36,849
Kristian Nairn: Very much so.
127
,030 --> 00:05:40,880
Um, I knew really very little about
electronic music back then, but
128
,889 --> 00:05:42,930
I was a very anxious music buyer.
129
,960 --> 00:05:47,150
I just, uh, we had to retain a friend
that I would go down to the local
130
,150 --> 00:05:51,020
music store on a Monday with as much
money or pocket money, we could muster.
131
,460 --> 00:05:55,580
Uh, um, I would just buy random
cheap CD singles and that's how
132
,590 --> 00:05:56,710
I got into house music really.
133
,050 --> 00:06:00,730
Because you had like
Robin S, yeah, yeah, yeah.
134
,080 --> 00:06:04,750
Um, you had like all the big
tracks, which are still being,
135
,800 --> 00:06:06,019
as you say, remixed today.
136
,019 --> 00:06:10,139
They've been released like a hundred times
already, but the originals came out then.
137
,370 --> 00:06:11,779
And it was a heyday.
138
,169 --> 00:06:13,609
And it was for quite a long time.
139
,649 --> 00:06:14,869
The club scene was booming.
140
,459 --> 00:06:19,340
Um, you had artists like
Shapeshifters, who did Lola's theme.
141
,810 --> 00:06:21,850
That changed, that changed house music.
142
,224 --> 00:06:27,734
Um, I, I, I would, I would say
blame, I, I would attribute.
143
,930 --> 00:06:30,240
To the explosion.
144
,450 --> 00:06:30,930
Absolutely.
145
,730 --> 00:06:32,930
But, um, it's very different now.
146
,230 --> 00:06:35,340
Very different on your right.
147
,340 --> 00:06:35,490
Yeah.
148
,565 --> 00:06:35,685
I,
149
,945 --> 00:06:38,970
Marc Preston: I'm kind of into,
uh, I I guess it would be defined
150
,970 --> 00:06:41,525
because like it was tropical house,
you know, I don't know if that Yeah.
151
,525 --> 00:06:45,120
You know, there's so many sub and
some sub genres and that's kind
152
,120 --> 00:06:46,830
of like, I don't know it, 'cause
I'm living next to the beach.
153
,830 --> 00:06:48,720
I don't know if that's kinda
like sitting or something.
154
,870 --> 00:06:52,320
Like, I noticed that a lot of the big
names there, uh, that were, that were
155
,960 --> 00:06:56,229
really, that were just kind of in the
scene and, and there was, they were
156
,229 --> 00:06:58,330
getting kind of regular radio airplay.
157
,710 --> 00:07:00,670
Uh, like Robert Miles, the song children.
158
,670 --> 00:07:03,190
I remember that was like a
big, I've looked at some of
159
,190 --> 00:07:04,490
the names of your remixing.
160
,550 --> 00:07:06,440
I, you know, again, I got
to geek out a little bit.
161
The Art of Remixing
,450 --> 00:07:08,789
When you remix a song,
what is the process?
162
,790 --> 00:07:11,700
Do you hear it and go, God, I've
got some ideas of their song.
163
,720 --> 00:07:13,490
What I can, what I
personally can do with it.
164
,700 --> 00:07:15,674
What's the path of going,
I'm going to remix it.
165
,674 --> 00:07:19,210
Do you get in touch with the artist
and how do you get a hold of the tracks
166
,210 --> 00:07:22,620
that you need, or do you just get the
raw song and to start playing with it?
167
,050 --> 00:07:24,320
Kristian Nairn: There are so many ways.
168
,340 --> 00:07:27,559
It's going to cut, um, through,
do we say that anymore?
169
,885 --> 00:07:28,825
Swag your cats.
170
,045 --> 00:07:30,290
We'll swag them.
171
,290 --> 00:07:30,684
Yeah.
172
,685 --> 00:07:31,925
We'll swag them non violently.
173
,045 --> 00:07:33,065
We'll just sniff your face.
174
,235 --> 00:07:34,705
The cat's enjoying the swagging, guys.
175
,825 --> 00:07:39,735
So if I go after the track, if there's a
track I might want to do, I will contact
176
,735 --> 00:07:41,414
the artist and I'll ask for the parts.
177
,425 --> 00:07:42,315
You ask for the parts.
178
,545 --> 00:07:48,564
If you're producing on a DAW, um,
like Logic or, um, Fruity Loops
179
,564 --> 00:07:49,869
or Raisin, anything like that.
180
,310 --> 00:07:53,090
Um, those are all different programs
for producing electronic music.
181
,580 --> 00:07:57,760
Um, you get all the parts separately,
the bass, the synthesizers, even the
182
,760 --> 00:08:02,750
automation on the tracks, like turning up
a chorus or turning up a, uh, a reverb.
183
,760 --> 00:08:03,729
That's all I'm going to do.
184
,840 --> 00:08:04,280
I'll be in.
185
,130 --> 00:08:09,170
It'll be in the files, if you
can get the original signs,
186
,360 --> 00:08:13,020
Marc Preston: it's better because
yeah, I'm assuming it would be
187
,020 --> 00:08:17,009
because if it just, you know, you can
really rebuild it from, from scratch.
188
,090 --> 00:08:19,010
Uh, but did you have a musical background?
189
,020 --> 00:08:21,109
Are we, were you a, were you a band kid
190
,109 --> 00:08:21,789
Kristian Nairn: in school?
191
,790 --> 00:08:25,349
And I try to play things in rather
than draw that if you don't mean
192
,349 --> 00:08:28,670
with the mouse, I can't play piano,
I can't play the guitar and stuff.
193
,670 --> 00:08:30,430
So I try to do it slightly differently.
194
,020 --> 00:08:33,700
You said like, when you're writing
music on a computer like this,
195
,140 --> 00:08:35,080
it doesn't feel natural to me.
196
,559 --> 00:08:35,990
So I try
197
,990 --> 00:08:37,340
Marc Preston: to do it on
an instrument at least.
198
,590 --> 00:08:41,350
As far as the collaborations, like
what, if you go into your library, what
199
,350 --> 00:08:44,919
is it that you think is like, Oh man,
this is, this is for me, this is kind
200
,919 --> 00:08:49,040
of like perfect collaboration or this
is, this is exactly, uh, this is my,
201
,069 --> 00:08:52,680
my, my figurative voice, you know, what
would that, what would that be for you?
202
,210 --> 00:08:55,490
Kristian Nairn: If you're working
with an original track, it's all
203
,490 --> 00:08:56,819
about putting your stamp on it.
204
,040 --> 00:08:59,870
Um, you obviously have a point of view.
205
,825 --> 00:09:01,815
And you have an end goal.
206
,625 --> 00:09:05,475
Um, so I first of all try to
work out is this gonna work?
207
,195 --> 00:09:09,240
Is it gonna work with the elements
that I'm gonna change the,
208
,420 --> 00:09:10,655
I'm gonna change the baseline.
209
,255 --> 00:09:14,285
Um, a lot of the tracks I choose
from our traditional, like
210
,285 --> 00:09:16,085
nineties or two thousands TRAs.
211
,655 --> 00:09:19,685
And so for start, I'm gonna
have bring 'em down at BPM by
212
,685 --> 00:09:21,875
probably 15 to 20 BPM sometimes.
213
,650 --> 00:09:27,370
And that will automatically
create space and therefore a
214
,370 --> 00:09:28,800
very different vibe to the track.
215
,230 --> 00:09:31,270
So that's, that's almost that
part of the work done for me.
216
,290 --> 00:09:34,339
If I can slow it down, create
a bit more room in the track
217
,339 --> 00:09:37,809
from all the mad 135 to 145 BPM.
218
,990 --> 00:09:40,180
I normally sit around 127, 126.
219
,360 --> 00:09:43,730
It definitely creates head space.
220
,545 --> 00:09:47,855
And the music, I like that, I enjoy that.
221
,125 --> 00:09:51,115
When I listen to music, I put my
own elements into it, my brain,
222
,195 --> 00:09:53,945
and I imagine that most people
do that, but maybe they don't.
223
,265 --> 00:09:56,834
I don't know, but when I have a little
bit of space in the track, I can sort
224
,834 --> 00:09:58,865
of, even my imagination goes nuts.
225
,314 --> 00:10:02,615
Like, even when I listen to some of
the old classic records, like Beethoven
226
,864 --> 00:10:06,165
and stuff, when I was a child, I
would be going, why didn't he do that?
227
,994 --> 00:10:08,204
Why didn't he try this direction?
228
,224 --> 00:10:09,805
And my mom was always like,
oh shut up, Kristian.
229
,405 --> 00:10:11,425
Right, yeah, it's Beethoven.
230
,849 --> 00:10:12,430
What would you know?
231
,689 --> 00:10:13,920
I'll just show you, what would I know?
232
,020 --> 00:10:18,209
I've always been into
reworking and rejigging.
233
,109 --> 00:10:22,900
Marc Preston: So do you, do you enjoy,
um, were you always a performer?
234
Performing Live and Acting
,900 --> 00:10:25,609
I know you're getting, when you get up
and DJ and you do a live set, you've
235
,610 --> 00:10:28,280
got, you know, my daughter works with me.
236
,280 --> 00:10:31,040
She bartended over the summer at a
big beach bar here on the island.
237
,609 --> 00:10:35,510
Steve Aoki came and played and do you
enjoy being up in front of a large
238
,510 --> 00:10:40,000
crowd and just kind of, kind of just,
you know, what's the energy like for
239
,000 --> 00:10:40,740
Kristian Nairn: you
when you're doing that?
240
,990 --> 00:10:42,359
It's the best feeling in the world.
241
,569 --> 00:10:46,349
Um, of all the things I do in my life
and have done and probably will do.
242
,999 --> 00:10:50,790
Um, there's nothing gives me a bigger
buzz than standing behind a DJ, um,
243
,800 --> 00:10:53,290
set or being on stage with music.
244
,790 --> 00:10:56,530
Um, I've, I've played in bands, you
asked me before with the band kids
245
,540 --> 00:10:58,640
thing, I've toured with Scissor Sisters.
246
,150 --> 00:11:03,610
Um, I've been on tour with a number of
bands actually, and it's the same feeling.
247
,649 --> 00:11:05,109
I just love being on stage.
248
,699 --> 00:11:09,069
For someone who was such a shy
kid, I would have told you, you
249
,069 --> 00:11:12,469
were crazy, um, if you'd told
me what I would do for a career.
250
,615 --> 00:11:15,285
Marc Preston: Isn't that
weird how that works out?
251
,314 --> 00:11:18,204
Yeah, I remember I was telling one
of my kids It's like I could be on
252
,204 --> 00:11:21,454
stage in front of 10 000 people I
used to work at a radio and had a
253
,454 --> 00:11:24,105
syndicate show and everything to
get on I remember I got on stage.
254
,105 --> 00:11:28,634
I was introducing I forgot who it was
to some late 90s band and I I think it
255
,634 --> 00:11:32,755
was like I think it was goo goo dolls
I think uh, or oh wow And when you get
256
,755 --> 00:11:35,765
on stage when you get lights are on
you can only see the first few rows
257
,765 --> 00:11:39,005
anyway That, that for me was a charge.
258
,005 --> 00:11:41,365
I was cool, but you put me in
front of like three or four people.
259
,365 --> 00:11:42,205
That's a different story.
260
,215 --> 00:11:45,425
So it's like the bigger the crowd,
the easier it is for those who are.
261
,755 --> 00:11:46,545
I agree with that.
262
,665 --> 00:11:46,975
And I
263
,255 --> 00:11:49,555
Kristian Nairn: developed this
like focus point, which is
264
,555 --> 00:11:51,414
just above people's eye line.
265
,135 --> 00:11:55,574
So you're not actually making
contact with them, but you do, you
266
,575 --> 00:11:58,474
basically drop your eyes down to the
fan, the thing, give them a wave.
267
,005 --> 00:12:00,905
And then focus on that point
where it looks like you're living
268
,905 --> 00:12:01,995
in the crowd, but you're not.
269
,995 --> 00:12:06,314
Music
270
,995 --> 00:12:11,515
Marc Preston: Were there any
parallels that you found in terms
271
,515 --> 00:12:15,425
of performance between mixing and
doing all that and being on camera?
272
,745 --> 00:12:17,064
Well, to me,
273
,064 --> 00:12:17,704
Kristian Nairn: it's the same.
274
,915 --> 00:12:18,814
It's the same vibe.
275
,264 --> 00:12:23,324
Um, when I get up on the stage to
DJ, that's not really me there.
276
,865 --> 00:12:25,425
Um, in some ways, it's not me.
277
,675 --> 00:12:27,105
In some ways, it's never more me.
278
,405 --> 00:12:29,619
But it's not me upsetting
you or talking to you.
279
,080 --> 00:12:33,790
It's, it's a character in a way,
just like being a drag queen was
280
,090 --> 00:12:35,800
playing a character version of itself.
281
,470 --> 00:12:41,930
So it's very obvious that it's the
same, uh, to me, it's very obvious
282
,960 --> 00:12:44,150
that it's the same zone in my head.
283
,190 --> 00:12:49,329
And that's why I realized that it's
not just the individual thing of
284
,329 --> 00:12:53,410
acting or thing of music or it's, it's
everything that really lights my fire.
285
,150 --> 00:12:57,650
Um, and that's why I feel very
lucky that I really, I really
286
,650 --> 00:13:01,299
have tied together three or four
things quite successfully so far.
287
,889 --> 00:13:03,060
I feel really grateful for it.
288
,745 --> 00:13:05,625
Because, uh, I liked the variation.
289
,964 --> 00:13:09,785
Marc Preston: So acting, what was like
one of the big learning curve things
290
,785 --> 00:13:13,615
that you, you know, you're, you're
working with experienced actors, you
291
,615 --> 00:13:16,755
know, you're working on, you know,
arguably kind of a popular show.
292
,964 --> 00:13:19,444
The show is sort of like a
law I mentioned lost earlier.
293
,635 --> 00:13:24,265
It had cultural impact, you know,
what was that a heady thing for you?
294
,265 --> 00:13:27,655
Or did you know going into it or while
you're doing it, did you have the sense of
295
,704 --> 00:13:30,454
how big this was or how big it would be?
296
,454 --> 00:13:32,064
Or what was your take on that?
297
,444 --> 00:13:38,085
Kristian Nairn: Um, yes, I, first of all,
did on the first day say how big it was.
298
,275 --> 00:13:42,915
Because they have a castle built
inside, built inside a studio.
299
,265 --> 00:13:44,735
Um, and everything's real.
300
,214 --> 00:13:46,984
Uh, it's not just silly props.
301
,494 --> 00:13:51,545
These are things that have been made by
artisans, and everything smells correct.
302
,214 --> 00:13:54,714
Not that I know what, not that I
know what a castle should smell like.
303
,145 --> 00:13:57,540
But I, I, I think, That's correct.
304
,020 --> 00:14:01,060
That would be real dead animals
hanging up with like, uh, just as
305
,060 --> 00:14:02,910
a big obituary, like it was real.
306
,990 --> 00:14:03,540
It felt real.
307
,540 --> 00:14:06,630
I'm not made it really easy
to inhabit an imaginary space.
308
,780 --> 00:14:10,119
Um, you really felt like you were
there and there was a sense of
309
,120 --> 00:14:14,289
responsibility, um, for me cause
I did not want to do a bad job.
310
,639 --> 00:14:16,850
Um, I really did not want to do a bad job.
311
,850 --> 00:14:18,160
I was worried about that at first.
312
,210 --> 00:14:21,160
Um, you know, the other thing that didn't
do me any favors because as many people
313
,160 --> 00:14:24,649
who, as many people who were celebrating
that I'd got the part, there were other
314
,650 --> 00:14:26,579
people saying, well, he's not an actor.
315
,300 --> 00:14:31,619
Um, and the weird thing was that
when it came out that I was a DJ,
316
,199 --> 00:14:36,079
the people who didn't know that said,
Oh, he's going to be a celebrity DJ.
317
,270 --> 00:14:37,089
And I'm like, I can't win.
318
,620 --> 00:14:38,100
I can't win.
319
,100 --> 00:14:39,410
That was 20 years.
320
,470 --> 00:14:42,490
You know, it wasn't just an idea I
had to bring them some extra money.
321
,329 --> 00:14:44,309
I think that was my job.
322
,830 --> 00:14:50,699
But um, there was definitely a heaviness
to me, for me, um, until I became
323
,699 --> 00:14:52,030
more confident in what I was doing.
324
,749 --> 00:14:56,240
Um, and the confidence
was the key, really.
325
,730 --> 00:14:58,110
I'd also been collaborative.
326
,020 --> 00:15:02,190
Marc Preston: Um, yeah, that had to be
something a little bit different for you
327
,190 --> 00:15:06,130
because when you're DJing, you're, you're
in a room, you're home and you're, you got
328
,130 --> 00:15:10,309
your setup and you're, you're building the
tracks here, but you're on a set, you're
329
,309 --> 00:15:15,180
with other actors and you're reacting
and, and you know, vibing on their energy.
330
,400 --> 00:15:18,440
That had to be a big kind of 180
for you, at least a little bit.
331
,960 --> 00:15:20,200
Well, no, actually, because
332
,420 --> 00:15:23,440
Kristian Nairn: really being a good DJ,
I'll say, I was going to say being a
333
,440 --> 00:15:27,010
DJ, but I will think being a good DJ,
you should be able to read a crowd.
334
,630 --> 00:15:29,300
I need to talk to you about energy.
335
,560 --> 00:15:30,780
It's all about energy, man.
336
,840 --> 00:15:31,230
Really?
337
,720 --> 00:15:32,560
It's all about energy.
338
,050 --> 00:15:37,980
Um, isn't life all about energy,
but it's the same, it's, it's all
339
,980 --> 00:15:39,560
about reading the energy correctly.
340
,580 --> 00:15:41,910
I'm giving your energy back
correctly in a way that
341
,910 --> 00:15:43,040
Marc Preston: makes sense artistically.
342
,350 --> 00:15:46,030
When Game of Thrones was going on,
when you, when you were shooting it,
343
,040 --> 00:15:49,109
rather, well, I'm first of all, where
did y'all shoot Game of Thrones?
344
,369 --> 00:15:50,840
Within around Northern Ireland.
345
,840 --> 00:15:52,710
All my scenes were filmed there.
346
,860 --> 00:15:55,560
So it wasn't too, it wasn't
too big of a jump for you, so.
347
Early Life and Education
,795 --> 00:15:59,385
Going back to your, your origin story
in Ireland, what did your folks do?
348
,395 --> 00:16:02,555
Were they, were they at all on
the creative side of things or?
349
,694 --> 00:16:03,615
Yeah, never met my father.
350
,615 --> 00:16:03,954
So,
351
,005 --> 00:16:07,515
Kristian Nairn: um, I believe he was
good at the theater, but I don't know.
352
,965 --> 00:16:11,135
Um, mom's not particularly
creative, though.
353
,395 --> 00:16:14,374
Um, I don't come from the
political positions or actors.
354
,405 --> 00:16:17,535
Uh, no, uh, maybe it was the milkman.
355
,925 --> 00:16:18,605
I'm not sure.
356
,830 --> 00:16:20,880
I've got it from somewhere there.
357
,650 --> 00:16:22,880
Uh, did you have any, did you have any
358
,880 --> 00:16:25,220
Marc Preston: siblings coming up
or were you, were you an only kid?
359
,220 --> 00:16:26,860
No, I'm an only child.
360
,860 --> 00:16:27,550
Just me and my mom.
361
,780 --> 00:16:28,590
All right.
362
,590 --> 00:16:30,180
You, you and I are in the only kid club.
363
,300 --> 00:16:32,940
You know, I always like people when they
say, oh, you must have been spoiled.
364
,940 --> 00:16:33,570
I was like, spoiled.
365
,575 --> 00:16:34,620
No, no.
366
,890 --> 00:16:36,300
It's, it's, it's, no, no.
367
,305 --> 00:16:37,140
Not, not at all.
368
,140 --> 00:16:37,650
Not spoiled.
369
,965 --> 00:16:41,695
But so you're in Ireland, kind of the arc
of your experience based on the, like what
370
,695 --> 00:16:46,655
you said that doing the DJ thing, what you
did kind of helped you come out of your,
371
,675 --> 00:16:50,095
um, you know, figuratively come out of
the closet, you know, come out, kind of
372
,105 --> 00:16:54,494
come into who you were meant to be, if you
will, what was the arc of experience for
373
,495 --> 00:16:57,725
you, like high school, when did it, when
did you start feeling like I'm going to
374
,725 --> 00:16:59,850
do my thing, you know, The hell with it.
375
,850 --> 00:17:03,080
I'm gonna, I'm gonna, you know, feel
kind of, kind of like you said, you, you,
376
,080 --> 00:17:06,550
uh, your expression, you know, you're
finding the ways to express yourself.
377
,560 --> 00:17:07,829
When did that kick in for you?
378
,220 --> 00:17:10,300
Kristian Nairn: I think it was
just, I went to a college in, or a
379
,300 --> 00:17:13,489
school in Belfast called Methody,
or Methodist College Belfast.
380
,489 --> 00:17:14,560
It's a really, it's a great school.
381
,280 --> 00:17:17,069
Mum really fought hard to put me in there.
382
,500 --> 00:17:18,060
Is that a good?
383
,560 --> 00:17:20,110
And I didn't swim at all.
384
,150 --> 00:17:23,150
Uh, it was, uh, I didn't
enjoy any second of it.
385
,310 --> 00:17:23,969
Any second.
386
,599 --> 00:17:28,319
Um, because it was quite a
traditional school, like St.
387
,320 --> 00:17:31,679
Aidan, or like, without all the slobs.
388
,910 --> 00:17:34,139
Um, and Hogwarts, uh, everywhere.
389
,160 --> 00:17:37,670
Like, just, the teachers wore
the mortarboards, the man,
390
,710 --> 00:17:39,220
and the robe, the bat robe.
391
,220 --> 00:17:41,690
Like, especially about corridor,
like we are or something.
392
,250 --> 00:17:46,470
Um, that's the kind of school that
was, um, and I just did not vibe there.
393
,850 --> 00:17:50,770
And I remember the last year I
wanted to go back to my A levels.
394
,800 --> 00:17:53,529
That's, I don't know what the
equivalent is in America, but it's
395
,529 --> 00:17:54,969
just before you go to university.
396
,590 --> 00:17:59,060
I went to go back and I'd
grown my hair over the summer.
397
,510 --> 00:18:00,580
Didn't seem important.
398
,919 --> 00:18:05,810
And I got back in, I just got all this
hassle about how I looked and tucked
399
,810 --> 00:18:09,340
my shirt in, you know, what happens if
you're sitting on a bus looking like this?
400
,380 --> 00:18:12,960
I can't, you're not interested
in what we want to learn.
401
,405 --> 00:18:17,195
You're not interested in, uh, in pushing
children towards things that they like.
402
,555 --> 00:18:19,985
It sounds like more of a
conformity kind of a thing, you
403
,985 --> 00:18:20,305
Marc Preston: know?
404
,365 --> 00:18:20,595
Kristian Nairn: Yeah.
405
,125 --> 00:18:22,425
At that stage, I'd had enough.
406
,955 --> 00:18:24,135
I broke my mom's heart.
407
,135 --> 00:18:26,394
I was able to see her really
fought hard to get me in there.
408
,975 --> 00:18:28,645
And that was a pretentious moment.
409
,245 --> 00:18:32,534
But I think she realized at the end that
I was starting to come out of Michelle
410
,064 --> 00:18:37,675
and I needed, that was so important to
me that I, to know that little inch of,
411
,745 --> 00:18:42,234
inch of her manicure color, that little
inch, that was so important to me.
412
,955 --> 00:18:45,135
I would have, I would have, I
would have went to ground for that.
413
,540 --> 00:18:49,050
Because it was just the first
statement, you know, it's the first
414
,050 --> 00:18:50,130
thing I wouldn't back down about.
415
,470 --> 00:18:52,820
Marc Preston: So you
decided to leave early.
416
,850 --> 00:18:53,080
Yeah.
417
,110 --> 00:18:53,980
What was the next step?
418
,980 --> 00:18:55,770
You know, here you are, you
know, your mother's like, I
419
,770 --> 00:18:56,600
don't know what you're doing.
420
,660 --> 00:18:57,910
Did you already have a North Star?
421
,910 --> 00:19:01,499
Did you say, this is something I want
to do, be it music or, or did you just
422
,499 --> 00:19:04,510
like, you didn't know anything, you
had no idea what you wanted to do.
423
,139 --> 00:19:08,120
Kristian Nairn: I knew music, but, um, my
mom sent me to that school because it had
424
,120 --> 00:19:11,780
a legendary music department and she kind
of hoped that that would focus me on that.
425
,290 --> 00:19:14,680
But all they were interested in with
me was getting me to play rugby.
426
,270 --> 00:19:16,290
Oh, that I had.
427
,879 --> 00:19:21,570
Absolutely zero, zero
interest in playing rugby.
428
,570 --> 00:19:25,030
And that didn't go down well with
them, but I didn't have a no star, um,
429
,060 --> 00:19:28,390
apart from the music I loved, I didn't
ever think I could make it a career.
430
,879 --> 00:19:31,750
Uh, I didn't know if I'll be able to,
because I didn't think I lived right.
431
,579 --> 00:19:33,639
You know, I didn't think I had the look.
432
,960 --> 00:19:36,990
Just, I mean, it's a real thing, you know?
433
,479 --> 00:19:40,020
Um, I don't believe it anymore, but.
434
,445 --> 00:19:41,985
Back then I thought I would have had
435
,985 --> 00:19:42,824
Marc Preston: to live a certain way.
436
,044 --> 00:19:43,324
Yeah.
437
,324 --> 00:19:46,145
So they looked at you, you know, you're
six 10, they're trying to capitalize
438
,145 --> 00:19:50,185
on your stature, you know, it reminds
me, I remember a seventh grade.
439
,185 --> 00:19:53,225
I got to junior high school and I remember
the vice principal became, I was already
440
,225 --> 00:19:55,175
really, really tall for, for my age.
441
,245 --> 00:19:56,165
I'm six two now.
442
,165 --> 00:19:56,514
I don't know.
443
,754 --> 00:19:59,615
I don't remember how tall I was then,
but I was one of the taller kids and
444
,615 --> 00:20:02,274
he came up to me and he said, uh,
Hey, we really would love you to,
445
,275 --> 00:20:05,215
you know, comes up to my locker, it's
like, You know, you play basketball.
446
,215 --> 00:20:06,324
We want to see you at the tryouts.
447
,324 --> 00:20:08,985
I'm like, I have zero interest
in playing basketball.
448
,435 --> 00:20:12,715
And I just, it just was not a
sport that really grabbed me.
449
,124 --> 00:20:16,885
And so I remember my, the rest
of my junior high experience.
450
,885 --> 00:20:18,294
I think he was irritated at me.
451
,334 --> 00:20:21,264
You know, I was not his favorite person
because I wouldn't play or something,
452
,264 --> 00:20:22,594
you know, but I know that feeling.
453
,970 --> 00:20:24,690
Kristian Nairn: I have the feeling
too, you had the coach that was
454
,690 --> 00:20:25,830
a little bit disappointed in you.
455
,940 --> 00:20:27,200
Yeah, yeah, that's, yeah.
456
,350 --> 00:20:28,940
I'm not interested in this shit, dude.
457
,140 --> 00:20:30,880
Honestly, don't interest him.
458
,360 --> 00:20:34,420
Marc Preston: So when did the
DJing come into your life?
459
,420 --> 00:20:36,599
When did you sit down and start mixing?
460
The DJ Journey Begins
,599 --> 00:20:39,609
Was it something that you had heard
and like, how do they do that?
461
,609 --> 00:20:41,870
Or was it just, or did you
just kind of fall into it?
462
,400 --> 00:20:45,620
Kristian Nairn: I was simply a club kid
and I was working, as I say, in drag.
463
,300 --> 00:20:49,340
Someone, did he show up for a
shift one night and I learned
464
,340 --> 00:20:50,690
how to do it in music college.
465
,750 --> 00:20:51,830
I fell in for him.
466
,530 --> 00:20:54,020
And the rest was history.
467
,520 --> 00:20:56,300
Um, it just worked.
468
,100 --> 00:20:58,080
It worked really well.
469
,430 --> 00:21:03,679
I was the kid who, when I was in, I'd been
a big heavy metal fan all my life as well.
470
,910 --> 00:21:06,960
And I would bring my friends to
my bedroom and I'd be listening
471
,960 --> 00:21:11,050
to a guitar solo and I was so
keen to share things that I loved.
472
,480 --> 00:21:12,870
I'd be like, look, let's
listen to this part.
473
,870 --> 00:21:16,210
And I'd let out my friend, welcome
the musician, and they'd be going, uh.
474
,205 --> 00:21:20,875
Uh, yeah, whatever, but I was
so excited for me being a DJ.
475
,885 --> 00:21:21,635
That's the same thing.
476
,645 --> 00:21:23,325
It was like sharing the
things I love with people.
477
,764 --> 00:21:26,424
That's why I feel so good about it.
478
,505 --> 00:21:28,314
Uh, I love the crowds going really well.
479
,315 --> 00:21:29,225
You'll get that all back.
480
,505 --> 00:21:31,875
Yeah, the energy gets returned to you.
481
,875 --> 00:21:33,285
And I love, I love that.
482
,484 --> 00:21:37,305
Um, actually I don't do as much
as I used to because things are
483
,305 --> 00:21:38,915
slightly different now since COVID.
484
,615 --> 00:21:41,655
Um, I used to be a DJ four times a week.
485
,905 --> 00:21:42,595
Uh, really?
486
,774 --> 00:21:43,155
Yeah.
487
,195 --> 00:21:43,635
Yeah.
488
,635 --> 00:21:46,955
All over the world, but
it's not coming back again,
489
,085 --> 00:21:48,855
Marc Preston: but I really miss it.
490
Dream Festivals and Travel
,459 --> 00:21:51,769
See, that to me seems like the
exciting thing, being able to
491
,769 --> 00:21:53,970
travel to the different festivals.
492
,970 --> 00:21:55,959
Like, I've always wanted
to go to, uh, like Ibiza in
493
,959 --> 00:21:57,690
Spain, uh, and check that out.
494
,690 --> 00:22:00,379
Like, there's, uh, cause I like
the ballet art trance stuff.
495
,420 --> 00:22:03,959
I like, or like, uh, there's a guy
named DJ Shaw, or, uh, uh, oh God,
496
,999 --> 00:22:05,869
uh, Roger Shaw, I think it's his name.
497
,169 --> 00:22:08,899
But just kind of that vibe,
everybody's there to have a good
498
,899 --> 00:22:10,729
time, they're all into that thing.
499
,215 --> 00:22:12,825
And it's, you're just
kind of vibing on it.
500
,825 --> 00:22:13,445
To me, that'd be kind of fun.
501
,445 --> 00:22:14,105
I'm a little old.
502
,105 --> 00:22:17,405
I get, well, I'm not old, but I'm kind
of at that point of going, fuck it.
503
,485 --> 00:22:18,735
I'm just going to do
whatever I want to do.
504
,765 --> 00:22:20,095
I'm like, I'm going to go check it out.
505
,335 --> 00:22:21,205
You know, I'll bring them.
506
,225 --> 00:22:23,064
I'm sure some of my kids
will go along with me.
507
,064 --> 00:22:25,194
You're like, Oh yeah, the old
guy, you know, you just, he's
508
,194 --> 00:22:26,354
got some issue apparently.
509
,644 --> 00:22:29,404
But no, I think that'd be a blast
to, to travel around the world.
510
,414 --> 00:22:29,914
DJ.
511
Memorable Nights in Ibiza
,155 --> 00:22:32,915
Kristian Nairn: Basically is that people
who've gone there for years will tell
512
,915 --> 00:22:34,175
you it's not as good as it used to be.
513
,175 --> 00:22:35,425
I don't have that experience.
514
,515 --> 00:22:36,265
I don't know that.
515
,715 --> 00:22:38,455
But I've played there
two or three times now.
516
,455 --> 00:22:38,485
And.
517
,480 --> 00:22:44,010
They were memorable, memorable
nights, and there was a vibe in
518
,010 --> 00:22:45,210
the air, you could almost smell it.
519
,410 --> 00:22:47,110
Sure, something that you
could smell for sure, yeah.
520
,590 --> 00:22:48,829
Let's see what those clubs involved.
521
,940 --> 00:22:51,560
You can almost feel it in the
air in a bit, you have this
522
,570 --> 00:22:53,600
vibe of partying and just low.
523
,869 --> 00:22:55,009
It doesn't matter what age you are, man.
524
The Club Scene and Its Culture
,065 --> 00:22:58,825
Marc Preston: Yeah, that's kind of
like that movie that XOXO that Netflix
525
,855 --> 00:23:02,915
put out that it just seemed like it
was trying to capture a little nugget
526
,915 --> 00:23:06,375
of what that experience is like, you
know, people who are gonna, uh, fly
527
,375 --> 00:23:09,044
in their own freak flag for lack of a
better way of putting it, you know, and
528
,044 --> 00:23:10,945
do it proudly, which is pretty cool.
529
,044 --> 00:23:11,974
Um, a great
530
,974 --> 00:23:16,135
Kristian Nairn: few of us, the club
kids, club ornament as well, the door
531
,135 --> 00:23:20,955
whores, you know, clubs were a haven for
that and that's what I love the most.
532
,575 --> 00:23:21,995
I feel like I'm
533
,995 --> 00:23:23,534
Marc Preston: getting an
education here at Door Whores.
534
,625 --> 00:23:24,955
I have been licensed over the years.
535
,675 --> 00:23:29,034
Going to the Game of Thrones and
then, you know, our, our flag means,
536
,064 --> 00:23:30,495
I haven't seen our flag means death.
537
Acting Aspirations and Career Reflections
,495 --> 00:23:33,184
It's, it is on the, it
is on the list as well.
538
,564 --> 00:23:38,275
Is there a genre, is there a kind of, uh,
be it a project, be it actors or something
539
,275 --> 00:23:41,804
now, uh, that you would like to get into,
that you would like to do, a movie, a
540
,804 --> 00:23:46,314
show, you know, so there is something
that you would like to tap into creatively
541
,314 --> 00:23:47,624
on camera that you haven't done yet.
542
,090 --> 00:23:48,610
Kristian Nairn: Really?
543
,909 --> 00:23:50,490
I just live for the next project.
544
,750 --> 00:23:54,130
And I know it sounds like a bit of
a cop out, but I really do love the
545
,130 --> 00:23:56,960
variation and my, and my career.
546
,350 --> 00:23:59,639
So whatever's left is what
I'm looking forward to.
547
,030 --> 00:24:01,989
Um, I have no doubts.
548
,399 --> 00:24:04,939
Well, there'll be something
cool coming because I
549
,320 --> 00:24:05,747
Marc Preston: Time to be a surfer.
550
,747 --> 00:24:07,929
You're not really sure what waves
coming in, but you're ready to surf.
551
,629 --> 00:24:10,290
Kristian Nairn: I can react to the waves.
552
,360 --> 00:24:13,409
Um, you know, I know the
ocean, I know the sea.
553
,775 --> 00:24:16,465
So I can, I think I can react
accordingly, but I don't have any plans.
554
,505 --> 00:24:20,675
Uh, I've never planned as if you read
the book, you'll probably be very aware.
555
,055 --> 00:24:22,785
Um, there were never any concrete plans.
556
,855 --> 00:24:24,435
I don't really intend to make any.
557
,855 --> 00:24:25,145
So,
558
,805 --> 00:24:29,095
Marc Preston: I think there was something
to be said for improv, you know, that's
559
,364 --> 00:24:30,744
just improv ing your way through it.
560
,765 --> 00:24:33,935
Uh, and I'm trying to remember, even I
did a little bit of cursory, just kind of
561
,935 --> 00:24:39,185
looking through that you did, uh, um, uh,
my kids is our like show we all watch.
562
,195 --> 00:24:40,584
It's, uh, uh, the rookie.
563
,775 --> 00:24:42,585
Uh, Okay.
564
,585 --> 00:24:42,705
Yeah.
565
,090 --> 00:24:43,390
Okay.
566
,570 --> 00:24:44,500
I'm trying to remember the episode.
567
,500 --> 00:24:49,450
Was that the episode where, uh, uh,
uh, Eric Winter had to fight you,
568
,450 --> 00:24:50,920
I think, or something like that?
569
,100 --> 00:24:52,780
Was, am I thinking of the right episode or
570
,450 --> 00:24:57,140
Kristian Nairn: No, I was, uh, a guy who'd
been assaulted actually, uh, as a gay man.
571
,710 --> 00:24:58,940
Um, he was having a shot.
572
,564 --> 00:25:01,250
He, he didn't like the outside.
573
,250 --> 00:25:02,209
He was terrified to white.
574
,800 --> 00:25:04,890
Marc Preston: Oh, okay.
575
,930 --> 00:25:05,200
Okay.
576
,200 --> 00:25:05,480
Okay.
577
,620 --> 00:25:05,760
Yeah.
578
,760 --> 00:25:05,900
Yeah.
579
,900 --> 00:25:06,070
Yeah.
580
,080 --> 00:25:06,490
Okay.
581
,490 --> 00:25:06,960
I gotcha.
582
,210 --> 00:25:09,740
I was trying to remember, uh,
cause I know it was one episode.
583
,740 --> 00:25:12,329
I was like, okay, I know the kids
and I've seen every episode and I
584
,329 --> 00:25:15,180
was trying to think of what, uh,
I do, I do remember that episode.
585
Writing the Book: Epiphanies and Reflections
,300 --> 00:25:19,240
Now beyond the throne, did you have
any epiphanies writing the book that
586
,250 --> 00:25:22,020
G ever write and go, Oh, I didn't
really kind of put this together
587
,020 --> 00:25:25,220
until now, you know, sitting down,
put my life notes in front of me.
588
,220 --> 00:25:28,760
Did some, was there an epiphany
about your, Growing up or
589
,770 --> 00:25:30,030
anything, the whole book
590
,030 --> 00:25:30,780
Kristian Nairn: was an epiphany.
591
,139 --> 00:25:32,470
Everything's been an epiphany to me.
592
,470 --> 00:25:35,810
I didn't ever expect to be
writing a book about my life.
593
,899 --> 00:25:39,819
Um, that itself was an epiphany.
594
,699 --> 00:25:44,320
But even during these interviews,
I've had some epiphanies.
595
,320 --> 00:25:46,659
Cause what's your number?
596
,210 --> 00:25:50,240
It's not, it's just, you know, obviously
you're reading off a page or whatever.
597
,280 --> 00:25:54,870
It's whatever, but while I talk
about my life, I'm always breaking
598
,870 --> 00:25:56,070
it down every time as well.
599
,070 --> 00:26:01,040
So I'm literally having moments to
myself and every interview also.
600
,370 --> 00:26:02,959
So there's hunger zoom in the book.
601
,610 --> 00:26:07,955
Um, and that has been a process and
it really has, and I feel better now.
602
,955 --> 00:26:11,600
I feel like it has cleansed me a little.
603
,625 --> 00:26:12,995
Yeah,
604
,995 --> 00:26:16,665
Marc Preston: you kind of, you got to
put it out there and then you look at
605
,665 --> 00:26:19,855
it from different angles and you kind
of process it and you realize, you know,
606
,955 --> 00:26:22,475
especially if you're kind of like of
that mentality, you know, you got to keep
607
,485 --> 00:26:25,105
moving forward, you know, past is past.
608
,725 --> 00:26:27,544
Sometimes you compartmentalize it.
609
,544 --> 00:26:29,244
You don't really have a chance
to kind of work through it.
610
,244 --> 00:26:34,095
And I imagine writing a book forces you
to kind of work through understanding
611
,095 --> 00:26:35,784
more about yourself at the very assuming.
612
,139 --> 00:26:38,120
Kristian Nairn: But yeah, also, I'm
not ashamed of people that know me.
613
,620 --> 00:26:41,969
I haven't always made all the
best decisions, and I don't
614
,969 --> 00:26:42,689
know if I would change them.
615
,799 --> 00:26:44,719
I'm not ashamed of it.
616
,250 --> 00:26:48,139
I'm not ashamed of anything I've
done, and anything I need to explain.
617
,749 --> 00:26:55,070
Um, A, I don't do explaining, but if I
had to, I could split, um, even the wrong
618
,070 --> 00:26:55,649
Marc Preston: decisions.
619
,010 --> 00:26:58,740
Well, is there any takeaway that you
would like, you know, someone like
620
,010 --> 00:27:03,270
yourself with your upbringing or with
your, your life experience, you know,
621
,270 --> 00:27:06,660
if you could reach somebody with a
book, who would that be and kind of what
622
,660 --> 00:27:08,340
would you want their takeaway to be?
623
,340 --> 00:27:12,810
You know, if you could kind of influence
or, uh, motivator, whatever you wanna
624
,810 --> 00:27:16,159
call it, or make somebody feel better
about a moment in life, you know, what
625
,159 --> 00:27:19,929
would you like, who would you like to
talk to with, uh, uh, with this book?
626
,170 --> 00:27:21,100
I wanna talk to the people
627
,100 --> 00:27:22,960
Kristian Nairn: who like
me when I was younger.
628
,440 --> 00:27:25,930
The life is full of people
telling you who you are.
629
,280 --> 00:27:28,740
Um, and who they want you
to be and who you should be.
630
,530 --> 00:27:32,879
Um, but there's only one,
there's only one person that
631
,879 --> 00:27:34,740
matters and that's you, yourself.
632
,440 --> 00:27:40,110
Um, as long as you're happy with yourself,
um, don't let anybody else influence
633
,110 --> 00:27:41,629
you, who you are and what you love.
634
,170 --> 00:27:45,800
Um, cause that is not a recipe
for success and happiness.
635
,379 --> 00:27:50,450
Um, and it will come out in
horrible, negative ways in your life.
636
,080 --> 00:27:53,670
Even if the person who, even if the
people who are trying to influence you are
637
,720 --> 00:27:54,630
thinking they're doing it for the best.
638
,200 --> 00:27:58,560
It's just toxic and unhealthy to
be anyone but who you truly are.
639
,389 --> 00:28:02,629
If I can help someone get there
faster, uh, maybe through my own
640
,629 --> 00:28:05,100
example, I'd be a happy, I'd be a happy
641
,100 --> 00:28:05,310
Marc Preston: boy.
642
,810 --> 00:28:06,500
That's awesome.
643
,550 --> 00:28:07,149
I like that.
644
,149 --> 00:28:11,310
And that's, uh, I heard something,
uh, a quote once I said, uh, they
645
,310 --> 00:28:13,860
didn't really know necessarily the
secret to success, but they knew
646
,860 --> 00:28:16,600
the secret to failure, trying to
make everybody happy all the time.
647
,520 --> 00:28:25,919
Well, before we get going, I got
something I call my seven questions.
648
The Seven Questions
,919 --> 00:28:29,220
I always like to throw it out at the kind
of the end of our little chats here, uh,
649
,370 --> 00:28:30,560
cause a little extra get to know you.
650
,210 --> 00:28:35,380
First question I got is what
is your favorite comfort food?
651
,450 --> 00:28:38,780
That thing that just like, it just
makes you feel good at a bad day.
652
,780 --> 00:28:40,090
You want it at a great day.
653
,090 --> 00:28:41,680
You want it to, what
would that be for you?
654
,840 --> 00:28:42,040
There's
655
,040 --> 00:28:43,410
Kristian Nairn: a shameful answer to this.
656
,680 --> 00:28:46,549
And, um, I wouldn't have to reach
my arm very far to prove it.
657
,990 --> 00:28:47,669
Uh, probably
658
,669 --> 00:28:48,449
Marc Preston: McDonald's.
659
,749 --> 00:28:49,489
Uh, that's okay.
660
,540 --> 00:28:51,210
My, my youngest daughter, Emma traveled.
661
,240 --> 00:28:54,520
She's she over the summer or she, she
studied in Spain and she went back.
662
,520 --> 00:28:55,120
She met a friend.
663
,120 --> 00:28:55,980
She went back to Italy.
664
,405 --> 00:28:59,675
She, she has a thing for trying McDonald's
in every country, you know, in Portugal.
665
,034 --> 00:29:00,364
Why?
666
,514 --> 00:29:03,534
Yeah, I, I, I tried McDonald's
in every goddamn country.
667
,715 --> 00:29:06,495
Well, it's probably healthier if you can
say that in other countries besides the U.
668
,495 --> 00:29:06,604
S.
669
,635 --> 00:29:09,074
because they can't put all that,
all the same junk in it that,
670
,074 --> 00:29:09,844
you know, that they do here.
671
,844 --> 00:29:11,705
But, um, I got played
with death in that one.
672
,854 --> 00:29:12,414
Well, there you go.
673
,415 --> 00:29:13,814
So, hey, you know, McDonald's.
674
,874 --> 00:29:14,915
Happy meals as a kid.
675
,925 --> 00:29:15,655
That was my thing.
676
,804 --> 00:29:18,874
Um, now, if you were to sit down with
three people and have a cup of coffee,
677
,925 --> 00:29:23,415
uh, talk story for a few hours, living
or not, who would those three people be
678
,415 --> 00:29:25,245
you would like to sit down and chat with?
679
,055 --> 00:29:26,885
And that's a huge
680
,895 --> 00:29:27,495
Kristian Nairn: question.
681
,145 --> 00:29:30,465
I would like to sit down with Tina Turner.
682
,395 --> 00:29:34,685
That's someone that I've always really
loved to have met and admired greatly.
683
,805 --> 00:29:36,025
First concert I ever went to.
684
,194 --> 00:29:39,046
Uh, well, yeah, Tina Turner is my hero.
685
,046 --> 00:29:42,392
Um, maybe I'd like to meet Gary Oldman.
686
,392 --> 00:29:43,228
Oh yeah.
687
,228 --> 00:29:47,265
Just to thank him for being one of the
best actors in the world and bringing
688
,265 --> 00:29:48,545
some of my favorite characters to life.
689
,615 --> 00:29:49,205
Such a community.
690
,165 --> 00:29:50,825
Oh yeah.
691
,975 --> 00:29:51,255
Yeah.
692
,255 --> 00:29:52,985
He's someone that I really look up to.
693
,695 --> 00:29:54,245
Um,
694
,165 --> 00:29:56,415
Marc Preston: I don't know if that's
your last name is Bill Murray.
695
,565 --> 00:29:58,405
That's one of my favorite
tables to sit at.
696
,405 --> 00:30:01,425
The one you just laid out here
is like, somehow that's perfect.
697
,425 --> 00:30:01,865
I don't know.
698
,875 --> 00:30:04,505
That's just like, I haven't heard
somebody put that combination together.
699
,525 --> 00:30:05,415
I like that.
700
,415 --> 00:30:06,155
Bill Murray is just.
701
,295 --> 00:30:06,775
The role model for
702
,935 --> 00:30:10,645
Kristian Nairn: Samuel reared me, but
the way you asked that question, it's
703
,645 --> 00:30:13,925
weird that they're all males because
I, as I normally say, my heroes are
704
,925 --> 00:30:16,995
all, they're all Samuel role models,
but that's interesting because that's a
705
,995 --> 00:30:18,044
Marc Preston: slightly
different way to look at it.
706
,265 --> 00:30:22,255
Next question, uh, when you were young,
who was your first celebrity crush?
707
,615 --> 00:30:23,435
Luke Skywalker.
708
,785 --> 00:30:24,845
You don't have to answer that.
709
,005 --> 00:30:25,765
I'm loving this.
710
,765 --> 00:30:27,245
You're giving me things
I haven't heard before.
711
,245 --> 00:30:28,075
Luke Skywalker.
712
,185 --> 00:30:28,915
That is awesome.
713
,915 --> 00:30:29,895
I'm going to remember that forever.
714
,945 --> 00:30:30,125
Number chips.
715
,150 --> 00:30:35,145
Eric Estrada, or, oh, no, no, no.
716
,160 --> 00:30:36,180
Or, or is it John?
717
,175 --> 00:30:37,465
John?
718
,605 --> 00:30:39,180
It was John, uh, the blonde guy.
719
,180 --> 00:30:39,330
Yeah.
720
,360 --> 00:30:39,900
Yep, yep, yep.
721
,960 --> 00:30:40,770
Well, now we know your title.
722
,130 --> 00:30:42,145
That was my childhood type.
723
,175 --> 00:30:43,265
That was a childhood type.
724
,530 --> 00:30:44,160
Very good for you.
725
,160 --> 00:30:45,210
Well, now next question.
726
,210 --> 00:30:47,990
Now, if you're gonna be living on an
exotic island, uh, you somewhere, it's
727
,990 --> 00:30:51,110
like a resort somewhere you want to be,
but there's no internet, no streaming.
728
,380 --> 00:30:52,550
You're gonna be there a year.
729
,610 --> 00:30:54,350
You gotta bring one album with you.
730
,975 --> 00:30:58,225
And one DVD or one movie that you
can, that you're comfortable just
731
,225 --> 00:30:59,955
watching and listening to all year.
732
,165 --> 00:31:01,435
What would that album be?
733
,545 --> 00:31:03,775
What would that, uh, would that DVD be?
734
,075 --> 00:31:06,415
Kristian Nairn: The album would
either be a little easier for me
735
,455 --> 00:31:08,195
because music questions are easier.
736
,465 --> 00:31:11,165
I would either be the Tron
soundtrack from Daft Punk.
737
,835 --> 00:31:12,765
Oh yeah.
738
,985 --> 00:31:13,895
Which is amazing.
739
,255 --> 00:31:16,825
Or Sonic Temple by The Cult.
740
,095 --> 00:31:20,045
That's been my favorite
rock album for many years.
741
,265 --> 00:31:23,195
So those are the albums I know I
picked two, but yeah, whatever.
742
,445 --> 00:31:23,875
Sue me.
743
,355 --> 00:31:25,940
Um, And what was the other one?
744
,180 --> 00:31:28,700
It was, uh, what would,
what would the movie be?
745
,730 --> 00:31:29,030
Yeah.
746
,240 --> 00:31:32,900
Well, my go to TV show is Frazier,
but where did my go to movies?
747
,900 --> 00:31:34,550
Probably Tron to get me to sleep.
748
,820 --> 00:31:36,050
Uh, that's why I go to Sleep movie.
749
,050 --> 00:31:39,440
I mean, I, the, the soundtrack
really, it, it calms me, but, uh,
750
,150 --> 00:31:41,740
lost in translation, possibly.
751
,315 --> 00:31:44,565
Marc Preston: Oh, I just told
somebody about that the other day.
752
,565 --> 00:31:47,575
That is one of my favorite all time,
but that's one of those movies.
753
,645 --> 00:31:49,285
If I see it on TV, I'm watching it.
754
,345 --> 00:31:51,025
You know, it's just such a great movie.
755
,025 --> 00:31:51,665
So well done.
756
,785 --> 00:31:51,925
And
757
,965 --> 00:31:54,985
Kristian Nairn: to me, it really
represents being in a strange city,
758
,185 --> 00:31:56,495
not really knowing where you are.
759
,515 --> 00:32:00,065
Uh, it's just all that weird,
but you're in a privileged
760
,065 --> 00:32:02,025
situation, you know, you have to,
761
,305 --> 00:32:03,665
Marc Preston: you have
to do your work as well.
762
,945 --> 00:32:07,995
And you find your people in the most
random ways sometimes, you know, if
763
,995 --> 00:32:11,225
you were to define next question,
uh, your definition of a perfect day,
764
,405 --> 00:32:14,395
you know, what would the component
parts be from the time you get up
765
,585 --> 00:32:16,135
to tell the time you went to sleep?
766
,465 --> 00:32:19,635
What would some of those component parts
be to say, this has been a good day?
767
,025 --> 00:32:20,345
Kristian Nairn: Okay.
768
,345 --> 00:32:21,715
I probably start off on the beach.
769
,285 --> 00:32:23,255
I love the sea.
770
,585 --> 00:32:24,555
I love the beach.
771
,825 --> 00:32:26,365
That would be the last outdoor adventure.
772
,790 --> 00:32:30,030
I'll probably go home and boot up World
of Warcraft for an hour, only because
773
,030 --> 00:32:31,880
it's a special day, only for an hour.
774
,190 --> 00:32:35,670
Getting to chill with my friends
and just hanging out and having a
775
,670 --> 00:32:37,400
laugh and forgetting about work.
776
,780 --> 00:32:38,790
That's a, that's a good day.
777
,070 --> 00:32:40,490
I'm a little ADHD.
778
,630 --> 00:32:42,570
I find it hard to focus sometimes.
779
,640 --> 00:32:44,930
And so finding things
that just let me relax.
780
,060 --> 00:32:46,220
I love to craft stuff.
781
,260 --> 00:32:47,800
I've recently got into crafting a lot.
782
,260 --> 00:32:51,240
So, uh, I'm customizing trailers.
783
,240 --> 00:32:52,200
I don't know what's happening to me.
784
,220 --> 00:32:53,720
I'm turning into like a, a one man Etsy.
785
,235 --> 00:32:57,935
Uh, but I find that really helps me
at ESD, uh, it's just calms the mind.
786
,785 --> 00:32:59,885
Uh, and that's what I do it for.
787
,905 --> 00:33:04,485
I'm not looking to set up an empire
here, but, uh, yeah, some crafting, a
788
,485 --> 00:33:06,885
beach, some Warcraft and my friends.
789
,155 --> 00:33:07,845
That's perfect.
790
,855 --> 00:33:08,065
That's
791
,075 --> 00:33:08,375
Marc Preston: perfect.
792
,395 --> 00:33:11,735
Now, last couple of questions is if you
weren't doing this for a living, what
793
,735 --> 00:33:15,845
else could you be doing that would you
derive joy from that would be your jam?
794
,995 --> 00:33:17,715
What else would you be doing besides this?
795
,475 --> 00:33:20,815
Kristian Nairn: Well, I was training
to be a sign language interpreter
796
,855 --> 00:33:22,575
before this, and I really loved it.
797
,280 --> 00:33:26,940
Um, I was, I also was studying,
uh, as a counselor, so I was
798
,210 --> 00:33:28,140
aiming myself to be that guy.
799
,660 --> 00:33:31,200
I'm a therapist for, um,
hearing impaired people.
800
,720 --> 00:33:32,510
I love that.
801
,900 --> 00:33:35,720
I, I love, I love the
science of helping people.
802
,120 --> 00:33:39,650
It's interesting to me and how, you
know, I'm willing to help other people.
803
,650 --> 00:33:40,900
You usually end up
804
,900 --> 00:33:42,430
Marc Preston: helping yourself as well.
805
,650 --> 00:33:44,080
I always want to learn
sign language as well.
806
,080 --> 00:33:47,640
The high school I went to was the,
in our district was the place a lot
807
,640 --> 00:33:48,750
of the hearing impaired kids went to.
808
,750 --> 00:33:50,330
So we had an interpreter
in front of class.
809
,350 --> 00:33:53,530
And I was always trying to figure out if I
could like interpret what they were doing.
810
,540 --> 00:33:57,615
But, uh, now the last question I got
for you, If you were to jump into that
811
,615 --> 00:34:01,425
DeLorean and you're going to be going
back to have a moment with 16 year
812
,425 --> 00:34:05,295
old you, you got a piece of advice to
pass along to make that moment, either
813
,295 --> 00:34:07,975
that moment better or set yourself
on a little bit different path.
814
,095 --> 00:34:10,335
What would your advice
to 16 year old you be?
815
,870 --> 00:34:10,970
I
816
,970 --> 00:34:13,700
Kristian Nairn: would, I would actually
grab myself by the face, I would, I
817
,700 --> 00:34:18,500
would grab myself and stare into my eyes
and just go, trust yourself, just trust
818
,500 --> 00:34:23,351
yourself, and don't let anyone else, don't
believe, or don't go for what anyone else
819
,351 --> 00:34:25,574
wants you to do, just believe in yourself.
820
,574 --> 00:34:26,963
It took me a very
821
,963 --> 00:34:27,519
Marc Preston: long time.
822
,519 --> 00:34:30,215
My friend, I appreciate you
taking time out to talk to me.
823
,215 --> 00:34:31,435
This has been wonderful.
824
,475 --> 00:34:32,785
Uh, I really appreciate it.
825
,865 --> 00:34:36,525
And of course, uh, beyond the throne,
looking forward to checking that out.
826
,605 --> 00:34:38,855
A great story just from
what you've told me.
827
,855 --> 00:34:41,775
And, uh, I'm going to be, we
should check in at some point in
828
,775 --> 00:34:44,675
time down the line after I've seen
all of games at game of thrones.
829
,035 --> 00:34:50,215
And I'll compare some notes, but, uh, my
friend, have yourself a, uh, a wonderful
830
,225 --> 00:34:53,545
rest of your week, and hopefully we'll
have a chance to check in down the line.
831
,545 --> 00:34:54,635
My friend, I hope so.
832
,695 --> 00:34:55,935
I have a really great day, my friend.
833
,955 --> 00:34:57,075
I really appreciate this.
834
,865 --> 00:35:00,485
Well, there you go.
835
,605 --> 00:35:04,535
Kristian Nairn really enjoyed the
opportunity to sit down with him.
836
,835 --> 00:35:06,615
Of course, the new memoir.
837
,750 --> 00:35:07,690
It is out right now.
838
,690 --> 00:35:12,270
It is called beyond the throne
recounting an intriguing journey.
839
,530 --> 00:35:15,080
Cool guy, again, a game of thrones.
840
,090 --> 00:35:15,940
You can check him out.
841
,170 --> 00:35:21,160
HBO also, uh, our flag
means death HBO as well.
842
,160 --> 00:35:24,280
And max, but really enjoyed the
opportunity to sit down with Kristian,
843
,280 --> 00:35:28,590
grab the book, uh, and of course,
pop on over to story and craft.
844
,730 --> 00:35:30,290
pod.com.
845
,730 --> 00:35:33,730
Uh, that's where you can find out
everything about the show, everything,
846
,790 --> 00:35:38,860
uh, about past guests, past episodes,
and of course on your podcast app, uh,
847
,890 --> 00:35:43,690
whether you're using Spotify or uh, iTunes
or whatever, whatever you're using, make
848
,690 --> 00:35:46,960
sure to follow the show, uh, William Ante.
849
,990 --> 00:35:50,200
That way you get notified every
time there is a new episode.
850
,520 --> 00:35:53,070
Of course, all the good stuff happening
on the app, you get in there for.
851
,115 --> 00:35:57,035
Follow the show, uh, leave a
review, leave a like very much.
852
,035 --> 00:35:57,785
Appreciate it.
853
,075 --> 00:36:00,285
Uh, appreciate you showing
love most certainly.
854
,495 --> 00:36:03,975
And also you can sign up for the
newsletter at story and craft pod.
855
,235 --> 00:36:04,625
com.
856
,635 --> 00:36:07,675
New episode, anything new going
on with a show, usually fire
857
,675 --> 00:36:09,605
off an email to let you know.
858
,725 --> 00:36:14,025
And so, Hey, I want to thank you again
for making story and craft part of
859
,025 --> 00:36:17,605
whatever you've got going on during
your day, during your week, whatever.
860
,885 --> 00:36:18,595
Thank you so much.
861
,635 --> 00:36:19,265
Appreciate it.
862
,295 --> 00:36:22,065
Uh, I'm going to get on out of
here, get this, uh, Very well
863
,065 --> 00:36:26,115
behaved golden retriever, uh, puppy
who, uh, I'm actually surprised.
864
,115 --> 00:36:27,565
He's so chill right now under me.
865
,565 --> 00:36:29,515
I'm going to get him
outside a little treat.
866
,925 --> 00:36:30,375
Oh my God.
867
,375 --> 00:36:31,225
I said the T word.
868
,375 --> 00:36:32,255
I got his attention now.
869
,635 --> 00:36:33,835
All right, let me get on out of here.
870
,835 --> 00:36:37,575
I'm going to check you next time,
right here on story and craft.
871
,875 --> 00:36:40,415
Announcer: That's it for this
episode of story and craft.
872
,415 --> 00:36:45,095
Join Marc next week for more
conversation right here on story and
873
,095 --> 00:36:49,774
craft story and craft is a presentation
of Marc Preston productions, LLC.
874
,415 --> 00:36:52,755
Executive producer is Marc Preston.
875
,135 --> 00:36:55,565
Associate producer is Zachary Holden.
876
,925 --> 00:36:59,235
Please rate and review Story
Craft on Apple Podcasts.
877
,515 --> 00:37:03,955
Don't forget to subscribe to the
show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify,
878
,955 --> 00:37:05,375
or your favorite podcast app.
879
,635 --> 00:37:08,565
You can subscribe to show
updates and stay in the know.
880
,725 --> 00:37:10,975
Just head to storyandcraftpod.
881
,035 --> 00:37:12,875
com and sign up for the newsletter.
882
,425 --> 00:37:14,165
I'm Emma Dylan.
883
,615 --> 00:37:15,535
See you next time.
884
,705 --> 00:37:18,115
And remember, keep telling your story.
Kristian Nairn
Actor | DJ | Author
Kristian Nairn is a Northern Irish Actor and Musician. He is a successful DJ, having performed alongside acts such as the Scissor Sisters. He has worked Worldwide. Game of Thrones marks Nairn's first major acting role. He plays the role of the enigmatic fan favorite character, Hodor.