J
ake Stanczak first emerged as Kill The Noise with an initial, low-key release in 2008, but it was being signed up to
Skrillex’s OWSLA label for the release of the ‘Kill Kill Kill’ EP in late 2011 that really pushed KTN to the fore. Combining chattering dubstep, twisted electro and rave blasts with his underlying love of classic video game soundtracks, the EP showcased the New York-born, LA-based producer’s diverse skills to the world. Having built a strong working relationship and friendship together, KTN and Skrillex then went on to collaborate with metal stalwarts, Korn, which saw grinding guitars collide with dubstep’s yelping synthlines. KTN also cites Knife Party and Feed Me as key friends and influences in helping him reach the top, but stresses that success has resulted from hard graft rather than mere contacts. “I’m the guy that’s sitting in the studio for fucking 14 hours a day!” he laughs. “It’s just knowing that you’ve got the right team. The most significant effect Sonny’s had on my career has been creating that infrastructure around what I’m doing.”
Remixes for Noisia and Koan Sound and collaborations with Dillon Francis, Feed Me and Datsik have cemented his name, and last year’s ‘Black Magic’ EP displayed a sound honed even further, but in a multitude of directions. Dubstep and house were joined by full choirs and haunting pianos, alongside echoes of his past as darkly aggressive drum & bass producer, Ewun. “Those EPs that I put together took me most of the year,” says Jake, who admits to being a perfectionist. “Towards the end I was literally in the studio for almost three months straight, working 10 or 12 hours a day.”
This year will see a headline tour in April, another EP (currently “at the foetal stage”), further releases on his co-owned Slow Roast label and all kinds of exclusive content presented via OWSLA’s Drip FM account, The Nest. A further evolution in style may also be in the offing. “I’m trying to step away a little bit from doing all that over-the-top talking bass stuff,” reveals Jake.
THE REST ISNOISE ONE IN
Smelting scorching electro fire with dubstep drops, 8-bit bleeps and orchestral grace, Kill The Noise is the versatile LA-based producer and Skrillex affiliate set to dominate the largest of venues in 2013... Words: IAN ROULLIER
s if Sweden wasn’t already dominating enough in the realm of big room house, Otto Knows is another Stockholm
up-and-comer who’s earned himself a rep for crafting massive tunes. Fittingly, Otto spent his New Year’s Eve in Miami playing alongside fellow Swede Alesso, another relative newcomer who’s notorious for producing those mainroom shakers. “I wasn’t DJing at midnight,” Otto told DJ Mag, “so I had the chance to have a glass of champagne with all my friends before starting my set at 2am.”
A MILLION A
He had definitely earned that glass of bubbly — 2012 was his biggest year yet, not the least due to the success of his debut solo single ‘Million Voices’. “A lot of crazy things have happened, and it was a great year for sure,” he says. “It was the time when I first began touring properly, with gigs constantly all over the world, so I hope things will continue like that.” ‘Million Voices’ proved to be a regular in the big rooms throughout the year, its rousing vocal
022
djmag.com
The next Swedish sensation to rule the dance roost, Otto Knows hit paydirt in 2012 with mega hit ‘Million Voices’. And 2013’s set to be even bigger... Words:ANGUS PATERSON
sample and melodic hook syncing effortlessly with the sound of the moment. The studio where it was produced might have had something to do with it; he was right next door to Sebastian Ingrosso’s studio, when he was laying down ‘Calling’ with Alesso. And the connection goes deeper; Otto is releasing his music on Ingrosso’s Refune Records, and he counts the Mafioso’s support as one of the key factors in his success. “It’s had a huge impact. Seb took me under his wing and said, ‘You’ve got to work hard, but I’m going to be there and support you as much as I can’... He’s taught me all his tricks in the studio, how he arranges stuff and makes it sound proper. He’s been a very important mentor and guide. He’s like a big brother taking care of me, and I’m super happy to have him on my side!”
Currently Otto is working on his next single, plus some collaborative works we’ll get to learn more about shortly. ”We’re going to have a lot of new music in 2013, that’s for sure, a lot more than 2012, I hope!”
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