Kizolano Interview [Q&A]

-Tell us please how you begin with music and djing?

In my family, we used to listen to a lot of music of different genres. When I was young, my brother bought a vinyl turntable and it was the first time that I discovered house music. I totally fell in love with the powerful bass and percussive rhythms of this genre. The track that I really liked was “Benny Benassi – Satisfaction”.

For several years I released music under another pseudonym. I wanted to start a new project with Kizolano and get out of the tropical house image I had to refocus on house music.

-How do you stay up to date with the latest music trends?

I subscribe to newsletters from music labels that match my style and I listen to the latest releases on Spotify or Beatport.

-With which labels and artists have you worked?

Before launching the Kizolano project, I released music under different pseudonyms and I had the chance to sign with labels like Big Mamas House, Maniana Records, Housepital Records, Pool E Music, Krafted Records, Crossworld, Alveda Music and others.

I collaborated with artists like Disco Mike, Laera, Gabriele Giudici, and many more…

I also create electro-house music with Greg Diazmantes with whom I form the duo “South Diamonds”.

-Any new releases?

My first release is “Breathe” released on the 9^th of March on Alveda Deep. This is a mix between deep house, future house and indie dance vibes. The funky guitar and the strings bring smoothness and bass power to the track. 

I already have a new house music track finished and I’m working on other new ones in a melodic house and deep house genre.

-In the studio, what’s your set-up?

I work on Logic Pro X with my Mac Book Pro connected to a screen: I’m more of a fan of minimalist studios.

A Steinberg UR22 sound card, a Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32 keyboard (which can be transported everywhere), proximity speakers and my V-Moda headphones to fine-tune the settings.

-What’s your creative process in the studio?

Generally, I start by creating the rhythm, then I add the bass and explore sounds to find the one that corresponds to what I want and I add melodies and vocals.

Sometimes, I also start with a vocal to create the whole instrumental around it.

-Your typical DJ set-up?

I mixed a lot with a Pioneer setup which is the reference in many clubs but I want to move towards a range of Native Instruments which seems to me to be more efficient in terms of live creation.

-Have you seen any DJ video streams that impressed you?

All the DJ video streams of the “Cercle Music” label are an event. They choose artists capable of mixing and bringing the music to life by adding live instruments in incredible natural settings.

Ben Böhmer’s performances in a hot air balloon in Cappadocia and Parra For Cuva above a canyon in Mexico particularly impressed me!

-How do you think the electronic music scene was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?

The pandemic has put the whole world on hold and has affected the clubbing scene a lot but I think it has developed artists’ creativity even more and that’s why many quality tracks are coming out right now.

-What can we expect from you in the future?

Many releases of new tracks on prestigious labels I hope and a lot of DJ mixes

You can stream or download my track “Breathe” here: https://AlvedaMusic.lnk.to/Breathe

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