Interview with KANDY: “I Deliver the Music and the Vision”

Urska Jaksa

May 22, 2020

Electronic music producer KANDY has put his name on official remixes of tracks by Katy Perry and Selena Gomez, his latest “superstar” collab is with the Australian twin duo NERVO, and his music has also taken him to festivals such as EDC Las Vegas & Orlando and Phoenix Lights. 2020 might not have blessed us with a lively array of gigs, but while we unwrap the story of KANDY, we can still appreciate the magic of the dancefloor, where artists routinely pass the torch to the new generation of talent. This was exactly how KANDY fell in love with producing and never looked back. 

His favorite candy? “Kit Kats all day!” With that mystery solved, we talked about his work and the importance of an ally for musicians coming up.

You proudly represent the LGBTQ community and you’ve also pointed out how important it is for other people in the industry who are on the same journey to see that they're not alone, that they have a role model. Was there somebody who inspired you like that? 

I wasn’t really inspired by anyone per say, it was more me looking around the dance music industry in general and realizing nobody was fulfilling that role. At the time, I wasn't happy with myself and the fake persona I was putting on, so it was the perfect opportunity for me to embrace what made me special.

Musicians often don't want to label themselves with one genre. How would you describe your music, genre-wise?

I think as human beings grow, so does their taste. I've always made sure I was well equipped in all genres, so when I get bored of one thing, I can change up fairly easily. Right now, I’m loving this Pop/Dance direction, but who knows what will happen down the line.

“Weirdly, I’ll picture a full music video and what that video would be about before I start producing.”

You said that you like the creative direction when it comes to making music, creating a full concept before writing a song. Is there ever a battle of the analytical vs. the creative side?

For me, the concept of a song has to be in my mind before writing it. Weirdly, I’ll picture a full music video and what that video would be about before I start producing. Sometimes nothing comes to me right away, but once I start writing, it eventually clicks!

Some artists are known to prefer making music in a home studio, because it lets the inspiration run freely (Billie Eilish maybe the most prominent of these recently). That sure came in handy in the last months. Where do you prefer to make music? 

I’ve always made music at home, from the very start. I actually prefer it that way, because there's no anxiety to force something out. It can be daunting being in the studio with other artists, because there's a constant feeling of pressure to get something done. It really all depends on how you vibe with the person you’re working with.

What do you prefer: working on a remix or on an original song?

An original song. I love the feeling of being able to express the emotion I’m feeling through music and you can’t really do that with remixes.

With everything you do as an artist, you're building your brand, and a strong authentic brand with a loyal fan base can help you thrive even when the conditions aren't optimal (like with Covid-19 in the picture). How are you tackling the subject, did you approach the music industry as a business from the get-go?

I think the most important thing when creating music is to let it flow organically. Always go with your gut. I honestly have learned a lot over the years about the business side of music and I try to avoid it. My team and record label take care of all of that for me, so I’m grateful to have them on my side. I deliver the music and the vision, and they help bring it to life.

Social media have been an important tool for artists for some time, but now with the element of live shows removed, they've become a necessity. What’s your favorite channel to communicate with your fans and why?

I don’t think I have a favorite social platform, only because I talk to so many of my fans on all of them daily. Recently I've been on TikTok way more than I should admit. It's great because I’m able to showcase my personality through video rather than just words on a screen.

“I’ve always made music at home from the very start. I actually prefer it that way, because there's no anxiety to force something out.”

We've heard many stories when a certain song during a live show hit the right spot and encouraged somebody to start making music. How was it for you? Is it important for you as an artist to still hit the clubs and rave to get motivated?

ABSOLUTELY! The reason I started producing my own music is exactly that. When I first experienced a Laidback Luke show in 2011, I instantly fell in love and knew that's what I wanted to do. Even after playing at a festival you can catch me in the crowd directly after.

And what would you do if you weren't making music?

This is a scary question that I don't even want to think about. There's nothing on earth I'd rather be doing. If I had to choose something, it would involve some form of art. 

What are you working on currently, any future plans you'd like to share with us?

A ton of new original music. As I'm home every day, I spend every day working on originals. My next release will be coming out this month! One of my future goals is to start my own fashion line when the time is right.

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