KRYDER LAUNCHES HIS KRYTERIA LABEL IN STYLE WITH STEVE ANGELLO FEATURED ‘ROMANI’ (Interview)

Kryder has been busy on the release front, following up his top 10 placement in 1001 Tracklist’s most supported producers last year with standout releases in the first half of 2018, including remix work for the likes of Wankelmut, Clean Bandit and Robin Schulz. Now Kryder turns his attentions closer to home, as he extends the growth of his hugely successful Kryteria radio show, broadcast to over 100 FM stations, with the debut label release of Kryteria, featuring arguably one of dance music’s hottest names in Steve Angello.

The resulting output is ‘Romani’, a track both artists have been teasing out since the turn of the year, as Kryder continues to extend his reputation as a purveyor of unshakably consistent house music, with an anthem that is set to be heard across festival fields the world over throughout the summer.

Kryder wastes no time, as a low bass is introduced that adds to the underlying carnival feel of the track. A repeating trumpet sample propels the song forward, progressing throughout and ramping up the tension as the track builds towards its climax. The hook of the track comes in the form of chanting vocals, which develop as the track breaks down with a vintage atmosphere punctuated by a slowing tempo, which gradually increases again before returning to the tribal rhythm, providing a memorable apex of a track that will keep fans of Kryder on their toes.
​
This team up with Steve Angello has been a long time coming, and the result is an anthem that is well worth the wait, as Kryder launches the label arm of Kryteria in style. Combined, the pair have received support on their music from the highest calibre of dance music, including Fatboy Slim, Martin Garrix and Hardwell, and next chapter ‘Romani’ is set to follow suit and give Kryteria the push-start the track warrants. Set to be one of the hottest tracks this festival season.

Hey Chris welcome to Dj Mag Malaysia! Where in the world are you at in 
this moment?


Thanks for taking the time to speak with me. I am currently in Hong Kong, I have a show here at Dragon-I which I can’t wait for, the crowd in Asia are always amazing and super responsive.
 
Massive news from you right now is the release of your brand-new single 
‘Romani" in collaboration with Steve Angello, swinging our way on 
Kryteria Records. What you can tell us about this track?


This is a track I have been really looking forward to for the past few months, not only because it is a collaboration with Steve Angello, who has been one of my inspirations for a number of years, but also because it is the debut release on my Kryteria Records label. Kryteria has existed as a weekly radio show for a while now, and the response is always great so it felt natural for me to launch it as a label, and to do so with Steve is an absolute bonus.
 
Where did you play this tune for the first time? What about the crowd 
reaction?


It was such a long time ago now, Steve Angello played it at Tomorrowland 2017, pretty much exactly a year ago, and the reaction was insane. There are crowd videos of the first time he played it and the response still gives me goosebumps.
 
Who or what would you say is your biggest musical influence?


I get musical influences from a whole host of sources. Musically, I have always had the most inspiration from DJ’s themselves, artists like Axwell, Ingrosso and of course Steve have all been really supportive of me and my music, signing it to their labels and booking me on their tours, so for me they would have to be some of my biggest influences.
 
Sosumi records was the first original free dance music label. Many have 
imitated you, how does it feel to have launched a trend like this?


It feels great to make a difference in dance music, in whatever way I can. At the time I knew the struggles for new producers to get their music heard, so by launching Sosumi I was able to use my platform to help give new talent the chance to shine and move forward in their own careers.
 
What are your plans for your new label?


Release more music. I have lots of new tracks planned for release with the label, so the wheels are definitely in motion. Off the back of that, there are also plans in place to do label showcases and things outside the box, keep your eyes peeled!


If you hadn’t have become a producer, what else was a possible career 
for you?


I have always been involved in dance music, since I can remember. From starting out I always loved to go to parties and soak up the atmosphere, so from a fairly young age being a DJ/producer has always been the only thing on my mind.
 
Tell us about your studio.


I have a fairly basic setup in the studio as I think it’s more about the end product than what gear you have in the studio, and with the quality of in the box plug-ins and synth emulators, it really is difficult to tell the two apart. I use Ableton Live and midi keyboard, along with a few pieces of outboard gear, and that is enough for me to get the sound I want. One tip I have always given is keep it simple and use a small number of instruments and plugins but get to know them really well, that way you have a better chance of getting the sound that you want out of them.
 
Given that you’re well rehearsed in playing out in front of some 
enormous crowds, what’s the buzz like? Do you still get pre-gig nerves?


The buzz is indescribable. The feeling that you are playing out to a crowd that know your music and have come to see you DJ is the best. I rarely get pre-gig nerves, it’s normally a feeling of huge excitement about the performance.
 
Any upcoming projects you’d like to share with our Malaysian fans?


I have a lot of new projects on the horizon. I have another release on Kryteria coming at the end of the month as well as a number of other singles, remixes and even an edit of a very famous film composer’s work, so keep a look out for that!

"Romani" is out NOW

@DJ Mag Malaysia
Simona Nardone