Interview with KINDLE

I discovered Kindle whilst browsing through Myspace a few months ago. I was getting into the electro vibe big time so I decided to delve into a few of my favourite artists friend lists. I don't quite remember but I think I found Kindle on IAMX's myspace page which isn't surprising really considering they both share the same record label. It was either that or Team Awesome's page, a cool all girl DJ duo with heaps of attitude and great taste in music.

I immediately fell in love with Kindle's electronic soundscapes, pounding rhythms and raw, hypnotic guitar and synth.

Before I had a chance to message Kindle requesting an interview he beat us to the post and left a comment asking to be featured. I was going to say '..left a comment offering himself to us' but I thought people might get the wrong idea.

We caught up with the London based musician via e mail:


Cat On The Wall: Who is Kindle? What was the inspiration behind the name?

Kindle: Kindle is my alias. I was inspired by the idea of fire igniting and making it the basis of my sound and persona.

COTW: Has music always been a part of your life? What are your earliest musical memories?

K: Music has pretty much been my obsession, since I was very young. I grew up listening to records so it is hard to pinpoint a specific time when I discovered it. Music is really a part of me and I can’t imagine my life without it.

COTW: When did you first pick up an instrument and what was it?

K: My first weapon of choice was the Electric guitar. I was 12. When I was 16, I got my hands on my first synth and it all started to come together!

COTW: Does technology play a big part in your music? What’s you’re current set-up? Do you use different instruments and equipment live?

K: While technology plays a major part in all music and it’s progression, I am a firm believer in the creative use of instruments rather than the instrument itself. My studio set-up and my live set-up are very simple. I like to keep the live performance very honest, in the way the music was originally made. I arm myself with my laptop, keyboard and electric guitar.

COTW: Do you enjoy playing live? Any memorable experiences?

K: Playing live is the most liberating thing to do. I feel like I’m being set free, inspiring a unique energy for each live experience. Every performance has a different flow and is memorable in its own way.

COTW: You have several musical projects on the go (CC/K, Hotel Motel). Creatively speaking how does that work for you? Do you find that one project inspires another? Is it hard to switch between them?

K: Switching between them can sometimes be difficult if they fall on top of one another. I need to get into a different creative headspace for each project, as they are all very different. However, when I’m creating sounds and working out an arrangement, I often develop new techniques that can be applied to both projects despite their diversity.

COTW: Are there any more projects in the pipeline?

K: I have many projects on the go; at the moment I’m producing tracks for 2 bands, ‘Client’ and ‘Modele’, among other tasks.

COTW: Tell us about your debut album. How did it come about?

K: Music’s so intuitive. It just… ‘came about’. I tend to run on instinct.

COTW: You’re signed to Loser Friendly records too? Tell us more!

K: I was discovered by ‘Client A’ Kate Holmes at Client’s monthly nightclub ‘Being Boiled’ at The Notting Hill Arts Club. Kate signed me to her new indie record label Loser Friendly.

COTW: What are you listening to right now?

K: A lot of French Electro, Orchestral music and Soundtracks.

COTW: Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails have released albums for free. Would you ever consider doing this? What’s your view on that?

K: I respect their decision. The music industry is heading in an unusual place. It is uncharted territory and it’s interesting to see how artists and labels are adapting. ‘Radiohead’, ‘Nine Inch Nails’ and ‘The Charlatans’ are at the forefront of this. I’ll consider it when I get to their position.

COTW: Finally, what are your plans for the near future?

K: ‘Radio Wolf’ will be released as the first single from my album. It will be coupled with a music video directed by Luke Blair. We will premier the music video at a launch party in London. I also have plans to play in Paris and Berlin before I retreat back into the studio to produce album 2!

Cat On The Wall would like to thank Kindle for his patience and kindness! For more information and to hear Kindle's music please visit his myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/k4kindle

Kindle was interviewed by Jo Whitby on behalf of Cat On The Wall.