KAI‘s new release is an ultra-captivating trip, the journey through which becomes clear through the passage of this chat.
KAI how’s it going?
Hi, thanks for giving me the opportunity to speak to you about my debut album 22 Months.
This is a major undertaking…
Yeah it was a huge task. At times it was very hard work, very emotional, yet still fun in the process of creating it. I had never thought it would be this stressful, but a total relief to have completed it throughout the most traumatic period of my life. The album came about when speaking to Eugene [Fade] and sending him a bunch of tunes I had written over the course of a few months.
One of the first tracks I wrote was ‘Song for Beau’ which I had written for my son’s funeral. By far the hardest thing I have ever had to do. The rest of the album started to take shape over the coming months, which really helped in getting those emotions out.
I love ‘Forgive’: what inspired? It’s an ace tune, I imagine this down Intrigue for some reason, lovely tune.
Thank you for the kind words. It’s a little roller I had written a while back too.
My idea for this track was to create a weird sort of vibe in the intro of the track, which sort of gave the listener a sense of someone trying to say something but you couldn’t quite make out what they were trying to say, sort of like a transmission via satellite that was breaking up.
Take us into some of the other collabs here… and who is Miss A?
Miss Alexandra – Jayne – is a good friend we met out one night in Melbourne at a gig and we had been working together for the last few years on several different projects ever since. It’s always a pleasure to work with her. She has an amazing voice and always brings the goods to the final product, another very special one for me “No Real Goodbye”
The other collaboration I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to do, is with Lee from Future engineers.
This started out with a session at my studio, I bounced some stems for him to take back with him, and a month or so later ‘In Motion’ was the outcome.
‘The Factory’ is very bewitching, and not as ‘grey’ as one may have expected from the title, so what inspired? Wonderful tune, wow.
I am really glad to hear people like it. It was originally, just a small sketch of an idea I had years ago, once I had found the right sample to tie it all together it sort of wrote itself.
‘Drop Down’ is ace, when did it arise? And I note more different takes here on the template from you… ?
I had tried quite a few different incarnations of this track, I just felt dropping into a sort of hip hop vibe suited a lot better which in turn had more impact in my opinion.
… in fact how would you describe YOUR take on D&B for someone new?
That’s a tough question. In my opinion Drum & Bass is very subjective like all music, but I personally find it very diverse in what it can conjure up, it can lend different influences from all genres of music. This to me is exactly why I love Drum & Bass.
For me I think my sound is still developing, and I’m always learning new techniques. However there is always a sort of vibe that is in all my tunes, so I’ve been told. It is a very hard thing to describe.
I try to create sounds and source samples that create a picture in one’s mind. I try to and take the listener to another place visually with the sounds I create.
Take us into a random tune on 22 Months of your choice…
‘Time Fly’ – When I started writing this track, I had always wanted to attempt a track similar to what got me into this music in the first place. I always loved the era of 96-98 – I wanted it to focus heavily on the breaks and edits.
This is my take on that sound.
Take us into the track with Fade, how did this come together?
The track with Fade is roughly about two years old, and we had sat on it for a while. Once this project was formed we both knew the logical home for it was to go out on my album. The actual process of the collaboration was quite easy as we were on the same vibe and it just flowed effortlessly.
What does the cover art imply?
The cover art, has been constructed by the very talented Juila – Eugene’s wife – of Faded Music.
In the early discussions of the art direction I wanted to include the cast hand print of my late son Beau. This in my opinion captures a peaceful yet emotive picture which I think fits perfectly.
Any shouts KAI?
Firstly massive thanks to Eugene Fade for giving me the platform to do this project and believing in me and my music.
My girlfriend Elaine & my son Noah for the endless love and support they have given me.
To everyone supporting the album, the radio shows, DJs, friends and family.
’22 Months’ Launch Mix