deadmau5 and Kaskade on Kx5, the perils of signing for a major label and why we should “unleash the beast” of AI-written pop songs
Deadmau5 would rather not be here today. The iconic producer, real name Joel Zimmerman, makes that clear from the moment he walks in for MusicTech’s interview and photoshoot, only really acknowledging anyone else in the room to complain when conversations get too loud. He’s flown to the UK for his six-hour Printworks show with Kaskade (aka Ryan Raddon, Zimmerman’s longtime collaborator and legendary producer in his own right) the following evening – unsurprisingly he’s struggling with the rapid change in climate and time zone.
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When Raddon walks in an hour later, however, the cloud hanging over the room evaporates. The duo, now producing and performing as Kx5, start bouncing off each other and bantering. Ryan is also jet-lagged and, frankly, seems like he could do with some rest, but is keeping the energy up and recharging his friend with it.
Maybe that’s what Kx5, the pair’s new project, has been borne of – two prolific producers who deserve a well-earned break but just can’t stop making music. They seem thrilled to be sitting side-by-side, joking and jabbing about each other’s tunes. “I’ve never heard any of Joel’s music,” Ryan japes when asked what his favourite deadmau5 song is. Joel chuckles and says his favourite Kaskade track is I Remember – the duo’s first collaboration, released in 2008.
Credit: Fiona Garden for MusicTech
These media stints are a chore to them – you might feel similarly if they were keeping you from building beats in your studio, orr performing them or audiences of thousands over the world. We won’t complain. The result of their time in their respective spaces is the Kx5 album – set for release on 17 March release – a stunning collection of electronic music that harks back to late-00s progressive house while intertwining contemporary, intricate sound design and emotive vocal performances. Some 20 years after both of their careers began, the pair remain in the spotlight, with a legacy that producers today dream of leaving.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-142929" src="https://musictech.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/MT-kx5-Credit-Fiona-Garden-9@2160×2700.jpg" alt="… Read More