DOA: Most heads have only heard your name since 2008 with your first releases dropping. Break down how you got into Drum & Bass, and how you got into producing?
Kiat: Back in the early '90s, I'd been going from Singapore to London almost every other summer to get my dose of what's happening music-wise in the clubs. I was a house DJ back then whilst still studying... so each trip to London would uncover sounds that were at the forefront of the scene. One fateful evening in '96, I went to a club called The Complex to check out Darren Emerson play but I ended up wandering into the basement (there were 6 floors I think!), where they were playing some mutated breakbeats at about 160-ish BPM. I didn't know what it was, so I asked the DJ what music is this... and it was Drum & Bass. Somehow, the music grabbed me in a split second and I stayed in the basement 'till 6 AM, whilst my mates were running around the other rooms! During that time in London, Goldie had just put out Timeless and there was definitely a Drum & Bass bug going on! Forward to 2003, I met Digital while he was passing thru town. We had dinner and he encouraged me to produce music. I really do not like computers, but I took it upon myself to learn some software. I started sending tunes to him and he was really encouraging - even today. He's been a great pillar of support throughout the years till today; BIG UP STEVE!
DOA: You've been getting some serious looks, release-wise, from labels like Soul:r, Hospital, Vampire and more labels. Who was the first "big-name" DJ/producer/label-head to really get turned on to your music and put your name out there?
Kiat: Well, after writing music for about 2 odd years, it wasn't really going anywhere with the labels, I was sending music out without any positive responses if any. However, things took a turn when Goldie came to town to play. I was warming up before him and I passed him a CD of tunes. A few days later, I got a call from Goldie whilst he was in Adelaide. He was telling me how he really liked what me and Ash were doing with the vibe in our music. Next thing you know, I was hearing all sorts of stories that Storm was playing the tunes. It was all kinda surreal, and it still is to this day.
DOA: How would you describe your sound?
Kiat: Hmmm... I've always had trouble defining it, as I stay clear away from a particular style that I've done before (I try to anyways!), but if I had to put it words, it'll have to be rolling beats and basslines with a lot of drama thrown in for good measure! Since the middle of 2009, I've been listening to alot of other genres of music for inspiration, from the Brainfeeder crew, Gaslampkiller, Flying Lotus, Nosaj Thing, etc., to the whole funkydubsteptechno type sound that's been sounding rather fresh to my ears. As a result, a lot of the music i've been working on has a lot of these influences.
DOA: What can heads expect from you in terms of releases in 2010 and beyond?
Kiat: Unfortunately, I've been pretty busy with work, running the label and life since last year so I haven't been as productive recently! But what's in store from me so far is my first dubstep 12" is coming out on Kokeshi; it's called "Missing Channel", and on the flip is a tune I worked on with label boss Alleycat called "Purple Clouds". I've also got a tune with HLZ called "Badfellaz" that's coming out on 31 Records this Spring. I've got my own release planned (finally!) on my own label; it's called "The Antennae Girl", and the flip is yet to be named. In addition, I've got an EP lined up with Morphy as well on Qilin. Besides that I've got a pile of tunes that are 95% done in the studio waiting for the right evening to finish them up.
DOA: Now, you mentioned your label Qilin Music, which you started in 2009 with The Vortex. What made you decide to start up a label?
Kiat: Basically, when Andy (Vortex) came back for Xmas during his first year in the UK, he popped by my office for lunch and we were just chatting and the idea literally dropped into my head. I asked him what he thought since he was in London and could promote the heck out of the label. He agreed and here we are today!
DOA: What's the vision behind Qilin?
Kiat: The vision was to raise the awareness of lesser-known producers onto a global platform. In the past few years, I've met a lot of producers who write great music that has a vibe of its own, but maybe because it's not the "big" sound, other labels won't pick them up - that's just my opinion. For me and Andy, we have a mutual understanding that we are going to take risks with the label and put out music we believe in, no matter where from. As one can see, on our label we have the 4 Corners EP which pushes producers from all corners of the planet, from Iceland to Indonesia.
DOA: In 2010, we imagine you've got a lot going on with signing artists and such. Can you give some insight as to what's brewing for Qilin in 2010?
Kiat: At this moment, we are looking forward to releases from Muted, BMK, Dakosa, HLZ, Joe Syntax amongst others, and we've also got HEAVY instrumental glitch-hop beats from my boy JPS and Hooves all the way from Melbourne. Last but not least, we've just signed Max Lane, with a tune called "WOHUB"... some serious "made in Singapore" bass at 140BPM.
DOA: Do you have any thoughts behind putting together an EP or LP of your solo work?
Kiat: The idea for my personal LP has been bubbling in my head for the last few months. Currently, I'm still at the stage where I'm trying to mold the concept of the album before I get into the studio. I usually write off the cuff in the studio but I would like to give it a direction before i execute the beats.
DOA: Can we get a current top 10 from you?
Kiat:
Max Lane - Wohub
Fat Freddy's Drop - BW (Tokyo Prosse Bootie)
LD - The King Of Kong
Jubei - Patience
Sinistarr & Redeyes - Solar 9
Untold - Don't Know Don't Care
Thomas Schumacer - NYC
Harmonic 313 - Lion
Sparrow - Get Up
Zinc - Killa Sound (Skreamix)
DOA: We know you rep Singapore – what's the scene like out there? Who are some of the undiscovered artists that you feel should be making more noise on a worldwide level?
Kiat: The scene is hot and humid all year round. The Drum & Bass scene is getting smaller and they've opened up to newer sounds like funky and experimental Hip-Hop. There are a few producers that I feel should get more recognition overseas, like Max Lane and Izaak Stern, amongst others. There has been a recent undercurrent of local producers coming thru in their own spaces... something I'm quite anxious to see develop.
DOA: How can artists get in contact with you to submit demos or anything else?
DOA: Any shouts you'd like to kick before we wrap this up?
Kiat: In no order... Andy Vortex, Cherry, S.P.Y, Sinistarr, Agzilla, Digital, Syndicate Team, Alleycat, Storm, Goldie, Marcus Intalex, Tony Colman, everybody in New Zealand, Dylan Loco, Clart, khal DOA. Last but not least, whoever is reading this far! RESPECT!
And here's Kiat's "The Missing Channel", forthcoming on Kokeshi
Dogs On Acid > Comments > KIAT
DOA: In 2010, we imagine you've got a lot going on with signing artists and such. Can you give some insight as to what's brewing for Qilin in 2010?
02-23-2010 12:47 PM
Keep up the good work
great pic, i miss dj'ing in spore
