Kid Massive – About to blow it up again with new tune ‘Can U Work Kid’
Hi Benjamin, stupendous dancefloor smash that we’ll come to later, but who were your early music influences growing up?
I love all sorts of music, everything from rock to hip hop and jazz to classic.. I don’t really have any influences as such, though at the moment I do enjoy artists like Imogen Heap, jazzanova, Snow Patrol, Sarah Maclachlan & Lou Rhodes..
What sort of music were your parents listening to?
I grew up with lots of classical and singer songer writer music, artists like Jethro Tull, Nina Simone, Joni Mitchell and people like that.. My father loves his Country as well but more of a Johnny Cash, Bobby Bare sort of vibe which I actually quite enjoyed..
What was your first break into the music scene?
My first break.. hmmm that is a difficult one. Ive been djing for the past 17 years and things have happened slowly ever since.. But my first proper gig/event was something I organized myself back in the early 90’s.. That’s where I actually booked the venue, the DJs, sound system and everything… Even made a fair amount of money from it which isn’t bad for the first time!!
What were your favourite clubs’ were you hammering in the early days, you moved to Copenhagen and then back to London?
My fave clubs in Copenhagen would be Club Rust, where I was resident along side Get Physical artists Djuma Soundsystem. Our night was called Whatever Rocks, which we ran for a couple of years. I also held residency at the now defunct club Pan, where I did my own monthly events for 4 years under the name H.M.E.98 (House Music Established 98).. I booked people like Trentemøller back in the day. Those where good times !!
So Copenhagen girls, not too bad on the eye?
Well, they say Scandinavians are on parr with Brazilians. And to be honest.. there is a certain truth to that !! I would recommend a trip there to see for yourself..
You became pretty prolific in Denmark, scooping the award for Best Upfront Single at the 2005 Danish DJ Awards and a host of other nominations. Good days?
I was very honored to have received that award and also to be nominated for the others. The Danish DJ awards are still going strong, held together by a true believer and a lover of dance music Morten Brønnum. I did a lot of work on the Danish club scene, but due to lack of development of that scene, I chose to leave and try my skills abroad. There are a lot of exciting producers in Denmark but due to the sheer size of the country, its difficult to make a decent living.
So, ‘Can U Work Kid’, a meaty Tribal track with your trademark Kid Massive breakdown, what’s the story behind the track, mixes from Cevin Fisher and Groove Garcia safely on board and props from the likes of Roger Sanchez and Laidback Luke…
I wanted to try and make something slightly different to what I normally produce and am really into the whole tribal thing right now.. Love those rolling beats! The vocals are by a friend of mine James Cornish, an ex NBA player now living in Switzerland..
I have always been a massive Cevin Fisher fan and was just asked to remix his latest single. So I thought I would be cheeky and ask him if he was up for it which he was!! And Groove Garcia is one of my favourite tech house producers. I used to be resident at The End and I’d always play 5-6 of his tracks per set, so I thought I would ask him as well. They each brought something different to the table, which was what I was looking for. I try not to have all the mixes sound the same as diversity of styles is the thing I like to look for.
What are your ‘Back To Mine’ tunes you listen to when you get home after working?
I recently did a Back To Mine chart for DMC which has been one of the most enjoyable charts I’ve done so far. I simply went through my itunes and sat for hours listening to all the music I love to unwind to. Artists like: Lamb, Samantha James, Banzai Republic, Sade, Yann Tiersen and Tracy Thorne.
Which fellow DJs do you have respect for.
I have respect for all those who present themselves well… and who bring a professional and humble attitude to the decks. People like Prok & Fitch, Sanchez, Laidback Luke, Ethan Project & Axwell… they are all DJs that have their own sound and play outwards, rather than inwards.. They are all true entertainers.. But on the flipside I have nothing but distain those who believe their own hype.. It’s only dance music.. lighten up!!
You own Audiodamage Records and run Just Deep Music, have people dropping your tunes such as Danny Tenaglia, Fedde Le Grand, Erick Morillo and Martin Ten Velden. But not only that, you have worked and released with vocalists such as Tara MacDonald who worked with Armand Van Helden, Robert Owens and Cozi Costi who worked with David Guetta plus have been remixed and has remixed for so many stars such as Little Louie Vega and DJ Pierre. Two questions, what tunes have been your proudest you’ve created and who was the most joy to work with?
I am proud of all my tunes, each and every one (no mater what style and when they where released, they all mean something to me).. But if I had to choose, it would be Kid Massive – Alright, which was my first signing back in 2005, released on Slip N Slide Records.. That was a special moment for me. I still love that record. Might even consider re-releasing it at some point!
I loved working with Robert Owens, he is the most professional person I have ever met and a true artist who loves everything he does, and his love shines through with every note he sings. A true inspiration and a good friend..
So you had a residency at AKA in London, a shame to see it go huh?
I loved the End, I was resident for Players, a weekly deep tech house night. I could rock up and play a 3 hour set of deep tech tracks, and I would love every second of it. I didn’t have to drop those crowd pleasers or those massive club anthems as I would do in a normal club setting, just as long as it was deep and techy, the crowd loved it. An end of a clubbing legend, but I’m proud to have been part of it..
What are your thoughts on Amy Winehouse?
Stop doing drugs, and get back in the studio !!!.. She has talent but alas, she’s surrounded by people who aren’t good for her. She needs support to get her through her troubled times, not pressure to produce that follow up album everyone is craving !! Im hoping she can delivier, but it’s going to be tough as people are expecting too much of her and the hype surrounding it will be her downfall. At least, that’s my opinion.
What is the best single/album ever made?
That’s a difficult one, but I love several with a passion..
Banzai Republic – Fætter dub out on Music for Dreams, it has the most amazing piano, simply amazing! But also Samantha James – Deep Surprise out on OM, it’s a blissed out track with no beats and has a great vocal..
You have played across the globe in such countries as Singapore, Dubai, Austria, Russia and Morocco… where have been the best places you have played in and which country has the maddest clubbers?
I have had the honour of playing all over the world.. My fave places would be Versuz in Belgium, Glasshouse in Leeds, Exit Festival in Serbia and a cave in Croatia !! On a madness level, well that would probably be the UK clubbers, though Serbians do come pretty close..
What is next for the Kid Massive?
Im off to Australia soon for a 2 week tour followed up with another few weeks in Asia. Hopefully I’ll be doing a US / Canadian tour in July and I’m off to Ecuador in July as well. I’m also waiting for a confirmation of a gig in Sri Lanka. These will be combined with events in Europe, France, Croatia, Ireland, Switerland as well as here in the UK; London, Derby, Manchester and others.
I / Audiodamage Records have recently recently secured residencies at the Whitehouse in London, Vanilla in Windsor and have some other serious offers for club nights in the north.
With regards to Audiodamage, We are starting up our second season of events in Ibiza, with Sheffield based promoters Charged. So keep an eye for that.. boat partys, backrooms etc etc..
Audiodamage will also be starting up a radio show every week from April, with a monthly podcast.. Hosted by Myself, Fran Cosgrave and the Ethan Project..
We have a series of heavy releases on the label, from the likes of Jesse Voorn, Muzikjunki, Richard Gow Vs Blaze, Firebeatz, Disfunktion and Nathan C. these will all be dropping within the next few months..
Studio wise, I am currently working with Michael Gray. doing a few club tracks together which are looking pretty heavy. I have a few new tracks due for release including a single for Tiestos new tech House label Avanti, Roger Sanchez´s Stealth records, Filthy Richs new label Control Freq and Dons, Kingdom Kome Kuts, as well as releases on my own labels Audiodamage and my Deep house label Just Deep Music.. (under my alias Pedersen)
I was just recently asked by Roger Sanchez to do a mixset for his “release Yourself” show.. which im looking forward to doing, as well as a mix compilation for the Ibiza club brand Koolwaters.. Who I will also be playing for this year at Eden, as well as for Kinky Malinki (El Divino)..
