The German electronic duo, KIDSØ, offer a blend of experimental electronica with a Nordic touch. Since their beginnings, they have been working together on their signature sound which manifests itself through a fusion of various vibes and organic sounds, such as haunting vocals or atmospherics soundscapes. This mix of these influences results in a combination of moods which, on one side, are introspective, but on the other, invite you to offer back your own expression of positive, danceable energy. KIDSØ’s latest single, “Lykke”, was released mid-February and I have invited one of its members, Moritz, for a quick chat about the roots of their music, and how it could develop in the future.
Bartek: The language used to describe your music approach is packed with organic words, such as “crafting melodies”, “luminous arteries” or “fluid motion”.
Moritz: We love nature and find the combination of nature sounds, or sampled noises of the nature in combination with the rather technical electronic music very fascinating.
While building your intricate soundscapes, you bring to mind images of tranquility and relaxation. How is this concept rooted in your message?
We don’t really think about anything when we’re composing. It’s about getting into a flow where the brain is switched off as much as possible, and we just start working with the flow without a concept.
Could you describe the nature of your collaboration as a duo?
I am mainly responsible for the music. Martin brings his input as a drummer. But he is also mainly responsible for creativity outside of the music, i.e. for artwork, videos, photos, etc.
What is your most favourite piece of analog gear that you couldn’t create without?
I love everything from Moog. The Moog Sirin and the Moog Grandmother are part of our live shows. We have now managed to get hold of a Dreadbox Murmux synthesizer. Only 300 of these were made. We are very happy about that.
Your latest single, “Lykke”, seems different in that the vocals take more of a central stage in the arrangement. Is this an intentional shift towards more atmospheric vocal vibes?
It changes all the time. We don’t have a specific plan. In general, we love intimate, melancholic female vocals.
How do you see your music developing in the future?
We experiment a lot with harder basslines and also African vocals. It is also not out of the question to contribute our own vocal lines.
Going back to times before KIDSØ, what sort of music that you listened to would you call inspirational?
Before KIDSØ, we listened to a lot of electropop like Dúné, kids of 88, or Goose.
If you could get anyone to collaborate with you, who would that be?
It would be a great honor to be able to work with Ólafur Arnalds. We love his music, especially his quiet, melancholic way of working with strings and piano.
Tell us more about your release plans post “Lykke”. What is the direction you are taking us to?
This song goes back in the cold, Nordic, intimate direction. Future songs will also incorporate the warm vibes of African sounds, such as in our songs “Childhood”, or “Hologram”.
Do you ever get tempted to crank up your electronic gears and come up with a harder sound just for the “fun” of it?
When we play live, all songs are 4 BPM faster and mixed a bit harder. We also improvise a lot live with harder sounds using our live synthesizers, e.g. the dreadbox typhon.
Finally, let’s talk emotions. Which emotion would you like your audience to experience the most?
If our listeners can lose themselves in our music and are emotionally moved, we are completely satisfied. It is the mixture of melancholy and positive energy.
Photo: Press release
Find out more about KIDSØ here: https://linktr.ee/kidso.official
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Really cool music!
Yes! Between the beat and the soundscapes in the background, I found it quite relaxing, too 🙂