One to watch :: Kalyde
Last year was a breakthrough year for up and coming talent Kalyde having had releases on a selection of sort-after underground labels such as MadTech, Lost Records, Avotre & Fatboy Slim's Skint Records. He was even asked to remix the Fatboy Slim classic 'Star 69' and this led on to an EP on Skint.
I got hooked onto Kalyde when I heard his slick record 'This Joint', which caught my attention as all his other productions have done since. The London based producer is fast becoming known for his raw, no nonsense sound that has gained support from the likes of Pete Tong to Loco Dice. In his guestmix for YO, Kalyde's production style is mirrored in the tunes that he has selected. We predict Kalyde to continue his success of last year with his distinctive, rugged style. Familiarise yourself with Kalyde in our Q&A below...
You’ve said your sound is 'solely down to living in Bristol’ after going to university there - why is this and what in particular influenced you there?
I think life pre Bristol, I always experienced music via Media, TV & Radio but when i moved to Bristol i got to embrace it first hand. Going to the nights that were run by the labels i was feeling at the time made it feel real. The City alone got me into DJing and Producing for sure
Your full-throttle sound certainly stands out. You’ve said that what excites you when you're making music is a ‘cross pollination of influences.' Apart from Bristol, where do you draw other influences from when it comes to producing?
I have always been into bold, rough and raw textural sounds. I love music that's a bit rough around the edges, even in some cases where it compromises the mix of a track, and it's that ethos of making music that inspires me to make music. Artists like Marquis Hawkes, Beesment Soundsystem and Fjaak, for me excel in this type of production.
You’ve had some good radio coverage on Radio 1 and Rinse FM from the likes of Annie Mac, Monki, and Mak & Pasteman - can you pinpoint a particular turning point?
Probably at the time of my EP on Zoo coming out. Both tracks got picked heavily on Radio and online and had diverse DJ feedback. I think as the release was soon after the release of 'Switch', I had peoples attention.
You played at Fabric for the first time last October. Generally what can dancers expect from a Kalyde DJ set? Do you go in hard from start to finish or is it more of and up and down road?
It's for sure not hard start to finish. I ideally like to play at least for 2 hours and it is more of an 'up and down road'. Generally it depends on what time of the night I'm playing, but my track 'Good Life' normally sets the mood well after I've played some more peak time tracks.
Can you tell us what would be your ideal gig to play at?
I’ve always wanted to go to South America, I’ve heard such amazing things.
Favourite club in Bristol?
What was Native, now called the Small Horse Disco Club. I used to have the best time at a night called 'Run' there. I also ran my own night there too. For a nostalgic touch, I went back to see Eats Everything play all night last month for his Xmas party.
Following on from your remix of Fatboy Slim’s classic ‘Star 69’ you most recently had an EP come out on Fatboy Slim’s label, Skint Records. What have you got coming up with your productions?
A have a few releases in the pipeline. My next release will be on Zoo again, early march. the leading track is a weighty Acid track. and then my release on Huxley's 'No Idea's Original' with 3 original tracks and a remix from Huxley himself. I also have some remixes forthcoming including one of Raffa FL and rising talent David Jackson.
And gigs?
Very much looking forward to my next gig for 'Blank' in Germany, they put on really good parties. Also 'A journey' in Rotterdam where I'm playing with Jey Kurmis and Subjected. Plus an array of UK shows to announce!
Three Tracks that always make it in your sets right now?
Still play all the time
Just monstrous and quite possibly a classic already
So much energy in this track