All I can say, and I know I speak for many, many dance music fans, is that Kaskade’s performance — the first of only two performances to be hosted in Los Angeles for the America’s Best DJ Tour Competition — was ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL! I have never seen the Vanguard so packed! The dance floor looked more like a standing music concert than a club with one of the largest dance spaces in Los Angeles! People were standing shoulder to shoulder; some moving their bodies ever so slightly to the beat of the music in anticipation of Kaskade’s entrance. At 12:30am sharp, he smoothly and with an unassuming manner entered the DJ booth - and without so much as even a verbal introduction or stark change in music style (so often rendered jarringly obvious by other DJ’s) transitioned into the beginning of his performance with ease and absolute mastery, starting with a song from his new album Strobelite Seduction.
Once the mass of people instantly and collectively realized that the highly anticipated event had started, the ovation left me in a state of awe with a steadily growing physical/emotional adrenaline as the crowd went absolutely crazy! Whistling and screaming the second they heard and recognized the distinct rhythm and beat of the artist they had so fervently been waiting for; the energy and noise emanating from the huge crowd almost, and almost overpowered the loud, ground-shaking, pulse quickening base of the music booming from the huge speakers. As the grandiose reception of Kaskade continued for more than 15 minutes he raised his hands in the air, whistled and in a totally mesmerizing moment to witness, slid into a state of utterly and entirely being in the moment of absolutely loving what he does best: Bringing the crowd to a total state of frenzied euphoria.
The first of the two DJ’s (the preview for the 2nd show will be posted this Friday, June 13th) to perform in Los Angeles for the Best DJ Tour Competition could not have started in a more sublime way than with the extraordinarily talented DJ, songwriter and producer: Kaskade. I had a chance to speak to him before his performance and upon meeting him was surprised (I was introduced to him by his first name) that the extremely unpretentious and laid back gentleman standing before me was not only the star DJ Kaskade but one of the contenders of the initial 100 DJ’s in the this annual competition. I was able to speak with him briefly before his performance to try to catch a glimpse of the otherwise unknown personal side of this great artist and to take a peek at what makes him so unique:
First of all, I have to know, how did you choose Kaskade as your DJ name?
Well actually, I was sitting around with friends just talking when the name popped into my head; I said it aloud and asked them what they thought and they all liked it. I didn’t choose the name, it really chose me.
How long have you been DJ-ing?
Since I can remember I was mesmerized by music; professionally DJ-ing though: for about 20 years.
What music has/does influence your distinct styles?
The list is enormous. Just to name a few though: DJ’s such as Mark Farina, Derek Carter, producer Stuart Price, also known as Thin White Duke among his many alias’, who, just to name a few of his many credits, produced Madonna’s album Confessions on a Dance Floor and The Killers single Don’t Shoot Me Santa as well as mixing another single of theirs Sawdust .
Who do you like in the music industry and/or listen to for inspiration?
I love the Killers, especially their new CD. (I also love) Morrissey, Sting, Peter Gabriel; I could go on forever…
Are you nervous at all that you are part of a competition and are being judged tonight?
No not at all. To me it’s always just been about playing music.
Is this your first time in America’s Best DJ Tour Competition?
Yes it is and what I like about this competition is that it strictly focuses on American born DJ’s. This competition is now placing America within the otherwise once exclusively believed ideology that great dance music was introduced and mastered by foreign countries. The industry of dance music was and still is, though on an increasingly lower scale, pertaining to international cities/countries like Ibiza, Spain, London, England or Paris, France just to name a few. Now America will start to have a history and power of its own within the once exclusively international creative force and people from all over the world will be aware of America’s potential and distinct rhythm and style.
But personally I don’t understand how art, in any form, be it paintings, music, singing etc. can be judged. It is so difficult to choose when so many great artists in their craft are being placed in highly numbered competitions; each being so diverse from one another. How do you choose, based on merit, talent, or performance? I really do appreciate the purpose it holds though for granting recognition to those talented artists
How many shows a year do you do, roughly?
Last year about 150; I’m on the road at least 250 days of the year.
Where are your upcoming shows?
Many more places: Denver, Brazil, and Ibiza just to name a few.
The interview, though brief, gave me an insight to this extraordinary artist. Strobelite Seduction, his 5th album is not only poetic, it is elegant, honest, absolutely beautiful and rhythmically addictive. Kaskade boasts numerous other credits such as “I Like the Way” featured on Sex And The City the motion picture, as well as remixing nelly Furtado’s “All Good Things”, Justin Timberlake’s “Lovestoned,” and many, many more.
For more information on the San Francisco based (when not on tour) DJ, you can check him out on his website kaskademusic.com or on myspace .
I strongly recommend his new album to anyone who is a dance music fan for it will literally get you dancing where ever you are; enhancing what ever your doing and just being an excellent source of inspiration.
Picture Courtesy of: le_don
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