EDMTunes Chats with KAS:ST

Journey into the depths of melodic techno with EDMTunes as we sit down with the enigmatic artist, KAS:ST ahead of his set at Artbat’s Upperground showcase at Drumsheds on Friday. This French producer and DJ has been captivating audiences worldwide with his immersive soundscapes and hypnotic rhythms, blurring the lines between the ethereal and the driving forces of techno. From his early releases on Flyance Records to his recent explorations on Afterlife, KAS:ST has consistently delivered a unique blend of emotion and energy. Join us as we explore the mind behind the music, delving into his creative process, inspirations, and what the future holds for this rising star in the melodic techno realm.

How has your year been so far, what have been some of the highlights?

As some of you already know, I’m now on my own with the KAS:ST project. It’s a big change, but I’m very happy about it, as it allows me to develop a more personal vision, both musically and visually, and I’ve been working hard over the last few months on a new album I’ll start releasing some singles off of early next year. Beyond that, I’ve had a lot of tracks released on different labels and in different styles, like Afterlife, HILOMATIK, Interstellar, Upperground and my own imprint Flyance! I’ve also had some great connection moments on tour in Turkey, Greece, Argentina, Colombia, the US and Europe. Each gig is special, unique – meeting the fans who love my music is really something incredible for me, and I’m grateful every day to experience that.

Tell us about your journey into dance music and the key lessons you have learned up to now?

My journey into dance music really began a few years ago when the KAS:ST project was born. What I’ve learned is that you have to do things with passion. It may sound simple, but it’s the only thing that drives me!

Tell us about your last tune Are We Truly Free? on Interstellar. What inspired it, what was the aim, what gear did you use on it?

The aim of this song with the speaking voice was precisely to question whether we are truly free or not, in the sense that today with this continuous flow of information everyone is trying to find their own meaning of existence. This track, like all the others, was worked exclusively with vst, omnisphere 2, Serum, Diva, and Ableton to name but a few.

And are we truly free? Do you think we have autonomy in this life, this digital world, or are we all pawns of big business, mainstream media, capitalism?

This is a very broad question and I’m going to be careful with my answer, because I think it is quite complex. In the capitalist world it is obvious that according to our social classes the perspectives, visions, obligations and concerns are completely different and therefore freedom is relative depending on the person. Personally, I try to keep an open mind, not to take for granted the first information that we find on social networks, in the media… but above all I try to never think with fear. I think that we can be part of a system while being aware of what it contains, both good and bad. But absolute freedom is something deeply metaphysical to which I unfortunately do not have the answer.

You play the UPPERGROUND show at Drumsheds this Friday – will you scale up your sound to suit the vastness of the venue, do you tailor sets in that way when required?

Not necessarily. I’m going to play the music I usually play, my own 100% unique style but I’m very much looking forward to what should be an amazing party!

How long do you spend prepping tunes for a gig, or weekend of gigs? How do you do it? Do you have special playlists with different vibes, for example?

Usually during the week before the gigs I listen to the promos I receive, and organize my playlists depending on where I play, at what time, for how long, and whether it a club show, headline hard ticket show, festival, branded event etc. Given that my style is quite broad in terms of music and bpm, I can easily switch from one vibe to another and having that range of tunes I can play is really something I love!

Tell us about your own label Flyance Records, what’s the sound, who do you look to work with?

Flyance Records is more of a platform where I release my own music rather than a full-fledged label that releases lots of different artists like, Afterlife, Upperground, Drumcode etc. I’m not looking to release other artists, which was the case at the very beginning. Today, I prefer to focus on my own music with my next project. In terms of sound, I would say that I have a fairly wide spectrum of productions – I can produce Melodic Techno but also harder stuff, even psytrance like my recent relesae “DGAF” on Hilomatik, but also break, ambient, etc. I love having this freedom and not being limited to a single “genre”, and I want to keep this DNA that characterizes my project.

What is the scene in Paris like? What sounds are hot right now, does the city inspire you musically?

I don’t know the Parisian scene very well anymore, because I haven’t lived there for several years. I’m currently based in Barcelona. But in general, I’m not really inspired by cities, it’s more the feelings, the moods of everyday life, my travels, my gig experiences that make me want to transmit certain emotions rather than others. For me, music is really a reflection of life.

What hopes, goals or dreams do you have for 2025 and beyond? Do you set targets like that?

I don’t think we can reveal everything here but of course I set myself goals, I think that everyone at their level has them and that it is very beneficial to have them and to always give the best of yourself.

What does dance music need to do better?

I think there is already a lot of improvement but to be even more present everywhere in the world.

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