We are thrilled to introduce Alex Kislov, a Chicago-based Producer and DJ who has quickly risen to prominence in the city’s vibrant Electronic Music scene. Known for his captivating blend of Deep House, Techno, and Experimental Beats, Alex Kislov has graced the stage at iconic venues such as Radius, Spybar, and The Mid, establishing himself as a noteworthy talent within the genre and one whose bright future marks him as a Producer and DJ to be watching closely. In this exclusive interview, Alex Kislov sits down with us to share insights into his musical journey, process, and future aspirations. So, join us to delve deeper into the creative force behind Alex Kislov.
Hi Alex Kislov, how are you?
So far, so good! The first half of 2024 has been filled with work and projects that I am excited to see come to life in the second half.
Can you tell us about your journey into the world of music and how you first became inspired to start a career as a DJ and Producer?
My journey dates back to my childhood when my sister and mum would play Electronic Music in their cars and at home on the radio. Essentially, I was born into it. Listening to different styles and genres over time, I found myself curious about DJing; I would always end up playing at all of our high school basement parties. I think I was around 18 when I started getting into production more seriously, but I always played some guitar and drums. I was actually able to pay my college tuition by DJing at local bars around and producing whenever I could find the time. After college, I decided to go all in as a DJ and producer. It was pretty frightening at first, but I never looked back.
How would you say your music and DJing style differ from others on the scene?
That’s a hard question to answer since I am very subjective to the sound that I am inclined to. I suppose I am not as Tech House as some of the Artists I am friends with, but I’m also not as Downtempo and Organic House as some of my other Producer friends are. I find myself in the medium between Deep/Progressive House and Deep/Tech House, so in a way, I think I’m more Deep Tech / Progressive. That’s as far as production goes. My DJing is different because I started with vinyl/turntables and then immediately hopped onto CD-J 800s and the original Denons, and possibly gear from even before that, like the iDJ. I don’t know if anyone remembers the old CDJs, but they’re very different from the ones today. This impacted a lot of the way I mix now; they naturally gave more room for the track to come in and out. I learned to ALWAYS trust my ears first before my eyes.
Having been immersed in the Chicago dance scene, can you tell us how your experiences and exposure to the culture continue to impact your work?
There is a good quote among Producers and DJs here in our ecosystem: “You either make it in Chicago or you make it everywhere else.” Our city is flourishing with incredibly talented Producers, and even more so with DJs. House music is the supreme genre in most capacities alongside Blues and Hip Hop. There must be something in the water as you can see with the incredible artists that come out of the city such as Green Velvet, Frankie Knuckles, Ron Carroll, John Summit, Fall Out Boy, Common, Chance the Rapper, and a host of others across different decades and genres. This type of environment produces lots of opportunities as well as competition. You have to be at your best to go with some of the top in this city, and the promoters and the fans dictate your standing, so you’re constantly grinding. It’s the best type of environment to test your ability as an Artist. It pushes you to your utmost limits, and then some. This forces you to release all boundaries that hinder creativity while also having a supportive system of Artists to fall on when you need it. If there’s anything to say about Chicago and how it impacted my work, it’s that it never stops driving.
Could you share with us your creative process when it comes to producing new tracks?
When I was starting out, a good way to get me “warmed up” was taking some of my favourite tracks and deconstructing them so that I could understand all the layers and sounds that went into them. This really helped me shape the direction of a track that I’m writing or the mood that I’m going for. Once in a while, nowadays, I love to pop an old Daft Punk vinyl on my record player, sit by my plants, and just listen to the album from top to bottom. It really puts me in a creative mood.
You’ve had support from names like Nicky Romero, Morgan Page, and Pascal Junior. What career milestones are you hoping to achieve next?
I feel very blessed to have shared the decks with hundreds of some of my favourite Producers and DJs. Even more blessed with some of them gracing my sets with their tracks. This has always been a huge milestone, to receive a salute from another producer that validates my work. I think another big milestone to work towards would be to get placement on some of the biggest festivals in the world and maybe someday to score a film.
What do you enjoy most about music production? Is there a specific part of the process that you find most rewarding?
My favourite part of producing is the creation and layering process. I love listening to different sounds and how they layer with other elements in the track. Once I got a better grasp of music theory, it was easier to understand how to change the mood and oftentimes how I feel translates to how I write.
Your productions often draw from genres like Trance, Deep House, and Drum & Bass. What attracts you to these sub-styles, and how do you incorporate these influences into your tracks?
Those are the genres that I grew up listening to; what my mum and sister would play on the radio or in the house. I love the arps and breakdowns in Trance, I love the groove and simple melodies in Deep House, and I love the vibe and lows of Drum & Bass. These layers find their way into my tracks naturally.
How do you stay inspired and motivated to create new music?
I have a dream and I will stop at nothing to try and see it come to reality. It is a natural drive, I suppose. I love what I do very much, and I am thankful every day that I get to do it, and that pushes me enough to get myself out there. I value progress and constantly seek to keep learning and becoming better at my craft.
Lastly, could you give us a glimpse into your future plans? Are there any exciting projects or releases on the horizon?
I just announced the release of my first album, ‘Dream Sequence’, which will be coming out later this year in October. I am also excited to sneak peek a few singles from the album throughout this summer—some of them feature incredible vocalists who I have dreamt of working with for a very long time.
Alex Kislov’s journey into music production serves as a credit to his dedication and passion for Electronic Music. With a drive to push creative boundaries and a talent for blending genres, Alex Kislov seems poised to continue making significant waves in the industry, so, as we close this interview, we thank Alex for sharing his insights and look forward to his future projects. Stay tuned to Alex Kislov by following him across social media to keep up-to-date with his latest releases and performances.
Alex Kislov Online
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