The Coldharbour Columbian wunderkid unleashes his debut compilation
Welcome to DMCWORLD young man, a truly extraordinary story behind a producer currently on fire in EDM. Born in a Colombian city to the north of the Andes, started to produce records at the age of 13 and a few years later snapped up by the mighty Markus Schulz for his Coldharbour label – scooping their Artist Of The Year award in 2011. Stuff of dreams huh?
“Hey! Thank you very much for the kind words, such an honour for me. And yes this has been like a dream came true at times I can’t believe the point were I am at.”
What was your family’s reaction when you informed them that you were pursuing a career in music, did they think you were mad?
“Yes, they went a little crazy because I was studying sound engineering and the minute my music career began to grow I had to stop my studies.”
What was the record that changed your life?
There are so many tracks, but I will tell you my Top 3: Paul Van Dyk – For An Angel , Delirium – Silence (Tiesto Remix) and the whole album from Daft Punk – Discovery.”
You claim your musical influences includes Daft Punk, Deadmau5…and Pink Floyd. What is it about PF that you loved?
“I love them, I love their melodies, progressions, the way how they use the synthesizers adding cool effect’s, you can tell all the points that I’m talking about in their track “Echoes” truly very unique.”
Next month sees your first ever compilation released – Coldharbour presents KhoMha. If ever the word ‘journey’ was perfect for describing a mix – this is it. How did you approach this album?
“I really wanted to be sure of choosing tracks that depict my set style and taste in music. So you will find deeper tracks at the beginning to really powerful tracks that finish the mix.”
What are the tracks you are especially pleased to have included?
“To be honest all of them. All the tracks have their unique touch set by each artist and you will find something special in their sounds.”
How does it feel to be known as the DJ who has split the house/trance atom in 2012 with DJs spinning your stuff from both sides of the fence?
“That’s a great feeling because when I started producing I wanted my music to reach everyone and when I saw that not only trance artists were playing my music, that was a fantastic feeling.”
Your first track that you sent to Markus was ‘Rainy In The Night’, a tune he loved and started to play. Why were you drawn to Mr Schulz and his label in particular?
“I was drawn to Coldharbour as a whole because it’s unique deep and dark sounds.”
Who were/are your producers heroes alongside Markus?
“Daft Punk, Mauro Picotto, Chemical Brothers, Tiesto, Deadmau5, Gui Boratto, Steve Angello just to name a few..”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
1.Orjan Nilsen – Filthy Fandango
2.KhoMha – Dusk Riddles
3.W&W – Lift Off
4.Markus Schulz with Elevation and KhoMha – Triotonic
5.Arty, BT & Nadia Ali – Must Be The Love
6.Cosmic Gate – Crushed
7.KhoMha – The Dark Knight
8.KhoMha – Mind Gamer
9.Hot Chip – Flutes (Sasha Remix)
10.Markus Schulz ft. Ana Diaz– Nothing Without Me
Tell us about clubland in your home country, we hear about you rocking the likes of Forum, Carnival, Wild, La Kasa, Mistica and Envy – where are the places to hit right now?
“Forum is still the most respected club here in Medellin. The vibe there is great! So many big DJs have played there and all of them loved it.”
Who are the international DJs that go down the best in Colombia?
“Artists like: Armin Van Buuren, Marco Carola, Markus Schulz, Dubfire, Magda, Chris Liebing, Roger Sanchez, Tiesto, Paul Van Dyk just to name a few.”
Tell us about your first DJ set outside of your home country…
“It was incredible! This happened at Dream Night Club in Miami during WMC week. For the first time ever I played in the USA and saw how the people were dancing to music. To see the crowd smiling with my sound was a day to remember.”
DJ Mag called your ‘507’ track “a white-knuckle, biggest ride in the park type track” that does “scary levels of damage”. Mixmag hailed your ‘Mind Gamer’ track as “perfectly judged and smoking hot”. What do you think has been your finest piece of production to date?
“Well, All my tracks have some story behind them and I always try to do my best innovating, but I think at the moment it is “The Dark Knight”
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
“From my father, when I had to stop my studies, he told me: “This is your passion and I know you love it, but do it always being an honest person and giving 101% of yourself to your work”.
What DJ gig has given you the biggest thrill so far?
“Maybe my first back 2 back with Markus at Space Miami during WMC, I was a little scared because that was the first time I played with my idol, something that I never imagine. Thankfully everything went perfect.”
What is going to be your New Years Resolution for 2013?
“I’m finishing my next E.P coming out at Coldharbour Recordings, I premiered my track “Vapour” and the feedback was huge, so I’m very excited to show the final product. Now for 2013 I want start playing in the big festivals and do my first album.”
Coldharbour presents KhoMha is out December 7th
Tracklist
KhoMha – The Origin
Arnej – People Want To Be Needed
Arty, Nadia Ali & BT – Must Be The Love)
KhoMha – Genesis
Arnej – The Second Coming
Orjan Nilsen – Burana
Protoculture – Perpetual Motion
Omnia – Infina
Yura Moonlight – Harrier
Markus Schulz with Elevation & KhoMha – Triotonic
W&W – Moscow
KhoMha – Dusk Riddles
Orjan Nilsen – Copperfield
Rick Mitchells – Sub Zero
KhoMha – The Dark Knight
KhoMha – Vapor
Fisherman & Hawkins – Apache
Markus Schulz vs Ferry Corsten – Loops & Tings
KhoMha – Coldharbour presents KhoMha (Full Continuous DJ Mix)
Pre order at iTunes: http://bit.ly/Sgr7Cu
http://www.facebook.com/KhoMhaMusic
http://soundcloud.com/khomha
http://twitter.com/KhoMha
http://www.beatport.com/artist/khomha
http://www.youtube.com/user/khomha
