Exclusive Interview with Klingande

Siam2nite had the opportunity to have an exclusive interview with Klingande, shortly before his performance at KU DÉ TA Bangkok on 22nd November.

How did you get in touch with electronic dance music in the first place and how did you get into DJing and music production?

When I was a teenager, few years ago, I discovered the beginning of Swedish House mafia, Eric Prydz, Axwell… then also Avicii and progressively a lot of other artists. This brought me to DJing, I had the chance to get 2 decks and a mixtable, and started to mix in my room. Then I felt that I wanted to play my own music. This is when I started working on my first computer, making some melodies on my piano and produce a few things.

You play and produce a mix of Deep- and Melodic-House. How would you describe your own music in just a few words?

I think Melodic House is the perfect name for it, it’s house music, with melodies played by either Sax, Piano and soon more instruments. This is also the return of acoustics instruments melted with electronic background production.

In April 2013 you released your track “Jubel” which became a huge worldwide success and your international breakthrough – with 12 Millions plays on Soundcloud and a consolidated view count of close to 86 Million views on YouTube. The track entered the Top 10 charts in 11 countries and reached the #1 spot in 5 European countries. Did you expect such an overwhelming response when you produced the track?

Absolutely not! And even more, at the beginning I didn’t want to release it, to share it on soundcloud and youtube. I put it just to test it on my friends and I was not really satisfied of it. But finally it became the success we know, and I’m really very happy of it.

What other tracks would you recommend to someone that is not yet familiar with your music?

I would recommend of course the references, Bakermat, Klangkarussell, Robin Schulz or FAUL, but also more Tropical House like Kygo. And Finally of course all upcoming artists like Kungs, Gamper & Dadoni or Lost Frequencies.

What was the best and the worst gig you ever played and what was the funniest thing ever occurred during any of your performances?

The worst gig was in Germany, I’m sorry for them but we played in a countryside, like in a barn, with a big crowd but not really into it, so it was feeling very strange. The best one I think was in Germany too, when I played as support act for AVICII true tour. Avicii was one of my inspirators, and playing right before him, in front of a 40000 people crowd was magic. Funniest thing during a performance is a tough question, we always try to put a lot of energy on stage, we bring people to dance with us, and sometime strange things happen. Maybe in Vancouver when a guy jumped from the stage in the crowd, and finished on the ground, it was a funny moment.

You live in Lille, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in France after those of Paris, Lyon and Marseille. What can you tell us about clubbing and nightlife there? Do you have any nightlife related suggestions for first-time visitors?

Lille is in a perfect geographic situation. Regarding nightlife we have very good nightclubs and active bar streets. It’s close to Belgium, so we can benefit of all Belgian’s clubs. And it’s only 1 hour by car from Brussel, and by train from Paris and London. The best thing is, 45 min by car from Tomorrowland ☺ If you come for the first time and want to be sure to have good sound, best club is Magazine Club in Lille.

On 22nd November you will make your Thailand Debut at KU DÉ TA Bangkok. Have you visited Thailand before? What can Bangkok expect of your upcoming performance?

No it will be the first time! I’m so excited to discover Asia. I’ll give as much energy as possible in this performance with my sax player Arnold. We will do a huge show as always.