Recently signed to Fatboy Slim's own Southern Fried Records imprint and with his new Rome EP due out next month, we caught up with young upstart Kashii, who's already making big waves in the dance music world.

Relatively new to the scene, can you introduce yourself to the readers of Kmag?
Hi, I'm Kashii, a 23 year old house DJ signed to Southern Fried Records. I spent the last three and a bit years living in Brighton, but have moved back to London this year.

 
What's the flavour and inspiration behind the Rome EP? Is there a hint in the title, perhaps Italian house, or rather a selection of tunes built specifically for the club environment?
When I title tracks, very rarely does it correspond with the sound of the track. Occasionally if I use a vocal hook, I might name the track after that part of the vocal. I don't just name a track after the first thing that comes to my mind, I like to use catchy titles that people will remember.

 

 

The thing I liked most about the EP was all the different layers and the subtle complexity of the tunes, how fine is the line between achieving this and creating something that sounds muddled?
This is actually something I consider a lot when writing a track. I think it's very easy to go overboard and create something that just sounds like lots of different layers that don't interact with one another, so with this in mind, I like to keep things simple but still interesting.

 
Perhaps more apparent in Makes This but in no way missing from Rome, there is heaps of lush melody, what's your musical background?
When I first took a serious interest in music it was more on the band side of things. It was a couple of years after this, when I was about 15, that I started really paying attention to dance music. But I play a number of different instruments, and it definitely has an effect on my production.

 
Can you tell us a little bit more about the artists you've chosen to remix your tracks on this EP? What do you feel they added or even took away from your originals?
The label and I had a long chat about artists for remixes and we felt that both South London Ordnance and Lakosa are very now in terms of dance music. Their sound is fresh and exciting, and they are both being talked about a lot right now!
 
You've recently signed to Fatboy Slim's Southern Fried label, how does it feel to be working with one of the biggest names in dance music so early into you career?
The guys at Southern Fried are so great to work with, I see them a fair bit and the label has a proper family vibe to it. I have worked with major labels before and some of them just don't have the right artist/label relationship, which I personally think is very important.

 
Do you have much personal contact with him? Any chances of a collaboration or at least an opportunity to play alongside him in the future?
I don't have much personal contact with Norman himself, I've played with him a few times and had a quick chat with him. I'm sure there will be chances to play alongside him in the future.
 

The Rome EP is out on the newly formed MadTech imprint, can you tell us a little bit more about that and what it's been like working with them so far?
It's been great, we started talking about two months a go. I sent them some tracks and they told me what they liked and wanted to use and we took it from there. The communication with them is always good and it's all come together quickly.

Finally, where can we get hold of the EP?
Rome is available as a Traxsource exclusive on 2 July and available worldwide on 12" and digital from 16 July.

 

Words: Sam Oliveira

 

Kashii can be booked through the Faze 2 Agency

 

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