We have a very exciting premiere coming up at the Roxy at the end of September, which we are all very thrilled about! A still undiscovered and very interesting project called KLOUD will be heading to Europe. The American Hard Techno producer with a futuristic mask distinguishes himself with original shows, where he plays only his own productions or his remixes. Fans of harder tempos should thus beware, because we bring a truly original artist, whom we believe we will hear more than once in the future.
That's why we've teamed up with Kloud now for a short interview, so that beyond the music or his awesome sets, we can give listeners a glimpse into his distinctive musical approach and the vision with which the Los Angeles producer creates his story.
FRIDAY 27/9 ➔ CZECH PREMIERE OF KLOUD (US) ➔ INFO & TICKETS
Hey KLOUD, thank you for taking the time to do a short interview for ROXY Prague. Since not so much information is known about you yet and considering your mysteriousness, I must first ask who is KLOUD and what message is hidden behind your mask?
KLOUD began as an elusive fictional character, playing off of the current state of AI and the amount of data circulating on every individual worldwide. This data created KLOUD. As it stands now, KLOUD is still an elusive figure but the mask represents anonymity, a realness in one's art without being subjected to current trends, and creating a character that allows the fans to see themselves in, rather than following a human being.
An interesting thing about your older work is that you started out making things influenced by trap, more electronic or EDM. What was it that eventually led you to Hard Techno. And what was it about this genre that charmed you?
I've been creating techno longer than the original sound KLOUD was known for. The project has been divided into two: GEN.KLOUD (original sound), and KLOUD (the current sound of KLOUD that is hard techno). I've been making music for nearly 2 decades, so it is premature to associate my project with the original sound premiered by Trap Nation.
Detroit gave the world Techno, through Germany and Europe it transformed into the sound we know today. Who were the artists that influenced you the most?
KLOUD has always been in it's own lane musically, which is why I love the project so much. I wouldn't say I'm specifically influenced by many artists in the scene, I hear a sound that intrigues me and I push it into my own liking. If I could pick one that is influential at this moment in my career it would be Klangkuenstler, as his design aesthetic matches my tastes and the driving force of his music is similar to mine. I have always listened to metal and I'd like to think my music matches that energy. Even when I was making slower music, it was comparable to slower metal; it's the environment and feeling that I am creating that is most important to me.
Could you describe how you perceive the current Techno scene in the US market? For example Klangkuenstler, who is very popular in Europe or even in the Czech Republic, played at this year's Ultra Miami Fest among other „slower“ electronic genres. You yourself have sold out shows all over America. Do you think Hard Techno will become more mainstream in the future?
If I'm speaking candidly, I'd say that hard techno is a trend and that all trends come and go. People are excited to discover something new, something fresh -- and once that excitement wears off they move on to the next. Klangkuenstler brings something different than 99% of other hard techno acts, a nostalgic feel of old techno combined with his own twist, so I think he will continue to stay relevant and be a household name. I believe hard techno will stick around with the few artists who are really pushing the envelope, but most who are chasing a generic sound will move on to the next. You've seen this multiple times in the last decade with electronic genres. It's up to the artists to provide music that caters to those who are new to the sound and those who are looking for something deeper and new, and I am excited to see where my music fits into that. But I could very well be wrong as well, I just do my own thing and that's all I focus on.
Your artistic expression is based not only on the music, but also on the visual experience, including your original and enigmatic character. Where do these visions come from?
My artistic expression evolves and will continue to evolve with how I'm feeling at any given point in the project. I don't have a clear direction, it's similar to a sailboat and where the wind is blowing. I'm in tune with myself as an artist but I contradict myself continuously and create without hesitation -- excited to hear and see what can come from it. My musical direction changes with each track I create.
The visuals on the other hand are much more thought out, creating the squares in different patterns to simulate 'light panels' on the screens. I don't like hyperrealistic visuals, as it looks too much like video game graphics to me. I use the squares as light sources rather than visuals, to create different patterns that could be seen as a light installation rather than as visuals.
One of the other things that sets you apart is your mixes made up of your own production or remixes. How important is it for you to convey this experience for the listeners? There must be dozens or hundreds of your favorite tracks that you love and could easily play in your sets.
I'm not a DJ; never really considered myself as one. I don't crate dig, I don't keep up with current tracks and what's working. The only time I look at Beatport is when I release new music and I make sure it lands on the right page. This is a good and bad thing. Good, because I stay focused on my sound and I'm uninfluenced by other people's music... Bad because I'm so far removed from the scene, no one really plays my music and I don't play theirs, which is not great for community building or networking. But to be clear, I don't do it because I think I'm better than everyone else, I do it because my music works well with my music; I have full control over the sonic landscape of my sets. I've tinkered with the idea of playing other people's music in my set but it takes me out of the element when their sounds come in, and their mixdowns are completely different or the feel is different. I'm creating a story with my sets, and it's better when all the paints are my own.
Here at the Roxy, we love your LA sets and are so excited to introduce you to the local crowd. But for those hearing the name KLOUD for the first time, why shouldn't they miss your premiere? And what can they look forward to?
I take a lot of pride in the work I create, and I believe everyone who is into this kind of music should come to experience the show. I am creating a unique environment, a world for hard techno fans to come into and escape for the night. Join the KLOUD, I'll see you there.
