Ahead of Friday’s party at The White Hotel with three Manchester debuts from Kaiser, Alarico and Madalba – we sat down with Kaiser to talk about dancefloors, inspirations and what’s next for the DJ/producer powerhouse.
You’ve had such a consistent output of both DJing and production, how do you manage your time and headspace! Any tips for aspiring DJ/Producers out there?
Thanks for the compliment. I live a very frenetic life but still my motto is not to push back to tomorrow what can be done today. I put a lot of effort on a daily basis to improve, I will never let some good result make me be less determined. I try to be as constant as possible by hard working every day, learning something new every day and put it in place immediately. Some break period is necessary but you should never lose your clarity of thoughts, stay humble and recognizing both a good job and the mistakes in order to learn from them. For me music is not only a job, I don’t do this for the success, I don’t care about success. Music for me is life, passion, it goes through my veins and everything I try to do as a DJ and as a producer is sharing a message with the intention of making people ecstatic.
You grew up in Italy before making the pilgrimage to Berlin and you’ve been active on the scene for many years now – we’re sure you’ve experienced many changes in the industry along the way but what do you think is next for the European techno scene in terms of the sounds coming out?
Exactly, I experienced many changes during my years as a DJ. I started mixing my first records around 2008, when I was about 16 years old. At that time there was a big wave of minimal-techno. Definitely an age that shaped me. I played anything in my life as a DJ until I finally found my identity in the sound that I keep offering since 10 years. Music is constantly changing and honestly I don’t know what to expect more from the european techno scene since there was an explosion of many and different sides of artists that still fit in general in the electronic music. Everything changes and also quite fast. There has always been a trend in the electronic music. What I can say is “Classic will stay forever”.
As a hero to many yourself, who are the people in the scene (past and present) that have inspired you?
DVS1 in my personal opinion is the best DJ in the world. I also got inspired (as DJs but especially also as producers) by: Steve Bicknell, Function, Luke Slater, Regis, Surgeon, Oscar Mulero, James Ruskin, Helena Hauff, Ellen Allien, Freddy K, Marco Carola, Rino Cerrone, Gaetano Parisio, Underground Resistance, Juan Atkins, Joey Beltran, Adam Beyer, Carl Cox. The list could be very long…
You’ve had such a consistent output of both DJing and production, how do you manage your time and headspace! Any tips for aspiring DJ/Producers out there?
Thanks for the compliment. I live a very frenetic life but still my motto is not to push back to tomorrow what can be done today. I put a lot of effort on a daily basis to improve, I will never let some good result make me be less determined. I try to be as constant as possible by hard working every day, learning something new every day and put it in place immediately. Some break period is necessary but you should never lose your clarity of thoughts, stay humble and recognizing both a good job and the mistakes in order to learn from them. For me music is not only a job, I don’t do this for the success, I don’t care about success. Music for me is life, passion, it goes through my veins and everything I try to do as a DJ and as a producer is sharing a message with the intention of making people ecstatic.
Your own imprint K S R has an incredible back catalogue, what do you look for in the releases that make them uniquely K S R? Especially in today’s world when there is so much access and so much new music coming out all the time.
KSR was born for a personal need. A place, a space where at the beginning I was dedicating only to my music and then I opened to others too. I had the necessity of telling about myself through music. Many years spent in my bedroom back in my parent’s house creating beats I was never ashamed of publishing. A concept based on the classic and pure techno sound with no compromises and without ever needing to follow a trend. I also believe humility, simplicity are key elements that can open many doors in life. I am happy and grateful knowing to be an inspiration for other DJs and producers supporting my label.
As well as your own induvidual work, you’ve had many successful collaborations – how do you find working with partners, is the process for production the same or do you have to change your approach?
I had the chance of working with two great people like Mario (Kwartz), with whom I started a project named Force Reaction, and Charles (Matrixxman). From both sides I had the chance of learning a lot without ever changing the approach to production and music. The connection between us started immediately just being ourselves. Same state of mind, same goals to achieve, it takes you to great results from the beginning.
What’s coming next for you in terms of releases and the label?
Freshly printed on KSR it’s the 009 for the vinyl catalogue featuring Matrixxman and for the KSR010 I decided to go for a VA, double vinyl with some of my favourite artists of the current and past scene. I can’t wait to present this project coming out at the beginning on 2023. On the new catalogue you will see new faces and new talents… Stay tuned!
Finally, we ask everyone – what can we expect from you on the 2nd September?!
I am pretty sure the 2nd of September it will be an unforgettable date, my debut in Manchester. I can’t wait and for the event I decided to play only vinyl, taking with me most of the vinyls that shaped me as an act of gratitude towards Blasha & Allatt for the respect, the trust and the invitation to play in their party. See you soon!
