Exclusive interview: New Dance Music Friday featuring KSHMR
Dec 30, 2016
We proudly present the New Dance Music Friday feature, your weekly update on all newly released dance tracks, brought together on one amazing Spotify playlist. Featured this week (among many others): KSHMR! He's released his new single 'Mandala' together with Marnik, featuring Mitika, and provides the list with some musical tips, and tells all about it in this exclusive interview.
Nuff said, KSHMR had an amazing year, releasing his best scoring tracks ever, taking things to a whole new level, both sound-wise as performing - which led to the American producer with Indian roots to reach the highest spot in the DJ Top 100 as a live act (#12). And now, following the success of his Sunburn anthem last year, he's done it again, together with Marnik delivering the Sunburn India 2016 anthem 'Mandala', as premiered by Billboard, and now tells all about it.
Hey, you just released your new track 'Mandala' together with Marnik ft Mitika. How did you create this?
"Having the Sunburn anthem last year was such a big deal for me because of my roots in India and thanks to Marnik the song came out perfect in my eyes. I wanted to create that magic again so I reached out to Marnik with some ideas to get started. We tried two or three versions for the break but nothing felt quite right until Mitika got involved and lent her vocals. She really made the song."
What does this record say about your musical evolution as an artist?
"Musically I shared this last year between heavy dance tracks and more spiritual songs emphasizing on my Indian heritage. I think this is a culmination of both."
The track is featured on Spinnin’s New Dance Music Friday playlist. How important is Spotify to you?
"Spotify is very important -- it reflects the future of how people listen to music."
Which artists should we definitely keep an eye on and add to New Dance Music Friday this week?
"I like Vicetone - 'Landslide'. Vicetone always come with great melodies. Also the Rogue One soundtrack; Michael Giacchino had the task of filling John Williams shoes and did a great job of keeping the Star Wars feel without relying on the classic melodies we all know. 'Jyn Erso & Hope Suite' is particularly good.
Which tracks recently released should definitely be added to New Dance Music Friday?
"Martin Solvieg - 'Places', Justice - 'Woman', Armin Van Buuren - 'Make It Right', Marshmello - 'Ritual'."
[Please note this playlist will change a week after this post]