Next up on our ApeCast series we welcome Kemvelt speaking about his inspirations, intentions & recommendations.
You might have danced with Kemvelt at the front of plenty of events, festivals & afters across the UK.
Kemvelt is a DJ based in both Newcastle & Manchester & has spent the past few years carving his sound, post-lockdown and is now well known for his genre jumping - hard groovy electronic sound… Securing sets at places like the @derbybrewerarms @worldheadquartersncl & a few times on @slacksradio
We are excited to see what he has in store in the future, but for the moment, strap in and switch on for an hour of intricate sounds over on our SoundCloud
Hey … Let's start off by telling us who Kemvelt is & when did you first start DJing?
I started mixing in late 2018 under a different name with a completely different sound, more so at the end of techno which now is very commercially successful. However for me it got to a point in 2021 where I was not excited by it anymore, that was an accumulation of certain things in the scene that didn't resonate with me at that time.
Looking back on it I feel it was the right move looking at its present condition.
I feel like some electronic music has lost its main identity I feel some music is more now suited to social media presence rather than artists being selectors anymore.
I think a lot of the success now is on moments rather than an accumulation of them as artists whether this a song or within a set playing a well known song to gain a moment.
While I respect what new artists are doing to advance themselves, I don't feel like this is me so I felt like it was the right move to move away from that and evaluate where I sit within the scene...
When you create your mixes, how do you decide which songs to include?
So I know people have all weird little quirks when it comes to set preparing. For me I don’t know if it's a standard way of looking at it but, one or two tracks will spark an interesting vibe as such. I predominantly just build from there this doesn't have to be a finisher or a starter. However I do feel as a mixer you do want to encapsulate a few standout moments within a set while exposing the rest with artists that listeners might not have heard of.
I really enjoy that side of music finding something niche that you get to show other people that they may not have heard before.
I also feel you should work out wherever you're playing within a night setting what bpm would be rational to accommodate and situate within, unless the crowd and vibes differ to mainly be fair on other artists within the night.
Who are some great up-and-coming DJs we should be aware of?
Pulsar- Both have separate artists accounts being a partnership of Faster Horses & Leaha they explore a wide range and do take a more party starter outlook within their sets and both nights I’ve witnessed them have really sat as a stand out within a lineup of really good artists, in terms of production there first tune will be releasing on “Raw Summer Hits” on July 7th I've had the privilege of hearing it and believe it'll be a stand out on there also.
Billydoes- Whats there to say the “peoples choice” as I always say is one of the best new styles i’ve heard with a take on dutch house with modern trance infused. Every set I've heard off him have all been unreal.
D4N- Arguably one of the best new producers about being from the Scottish scene has really stood out among some killers and I encourage everyone to go listen through his catalogue.
Nora- One of the more recent additions and within the Electro/Breaks”scene within Manchester I've been keeping an eye on it and is really doing well and I feel is someone who would fit in well to the Newcastle scene.
LJW- So I'm closely linked to this man so you can say it's biassed but I think it's a testament to how little time he has been mixing it has shocked me with every set with the quality of output. A proper trance head and I feel should be well known within the scene up here and Manchester.
You are Newcastle/ Manchester based… Could you recommend to the readers a few events, clubs, or any music & arts spaces in both cities?
So, one thing I have done with time off from doing music is go to a lot of parties...
In terms of Newcastle Shy Bairns is a standout party - booking mainly just local DJs from in and around Newcastle & its so great to see it do as well as it has. Its also really nice to see the local talent Newcastle has to offer.
Music Sphere - owned by the most genuine people, these events will always stand up there with me as my favourites.
The ones I've been to, you can really see they majorly care for their night. It translates so well to the dance floor with the range of artists they have and the crowd they have gained.
In terms of Manchester a lot of the new likes I've possessed and sort of ethos have been from groove nights such as Meat Free.
As much as they do book big artists there afters timetable has brought all new comers and some of the best sets i’ve seen and it's an event where you feel safe in the crowd and like you can chat to anyone it's a testament to Blasha & Allatt what they’ve created over the past ten years.
Other mentions would be 01366 & “Stasis” & Tiriba all grassroots events that have provided diverse nights which I've thoroughly enjoyed.
You listen to such a wide range of styles… How often do you differentiate your personal tastes from artist output?
All the time its monthly struggle to not change but I do tend to add new influences where I can. I feel it's definitely an integral part of being a DJ to be open to personal changes and to expose an audience to what you have been currently into, cause they might also be into that or you might spark interest no matter how weird the style is someone will like it.
What are your top 3 musical influences?
Favourite sets of all time?
Octa Octa b2b Eris Drew (Apex, Cosmic Ballroom, 2019)
Twelve Seven (01366, Lofts,2022 )
Dj Ibon (01366, White Hotel, 2023)
Cybersex (Tiriba, Derry Brewery Arms, 2022)