CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS 151: KITO ON COLLABORATION AND CLUB KITO PARTIES

Interview by Brooke Gibbs.

Australian born Los Angeles-based artist & producer Kito has released her new EP, BIMYOU. Futuremag Music sat down with Kito to talk all things collaboration and what goes on and Club Kito parties.

A collection of bold, vibrant, floor shakers, the four-track EP features like-minded genre-breakers including Kah-Lo, Brazy, Baauer, Wafia, Nonso Amadi, St. Panther, and Beau Nox.

FMM: Congratulations on the release of your EP, BIMYOU. How does it feel to have it out there and what has the reaction been like so far?

Kito: Thank you, feels good! This project has been so freeing. It’s what I want to be making, with the people I want to be working with.

FMM: You mentioned that Shake It To The Ground by Blaqstarr and Rye Rye inspired take your vibes and go. What elements from that track did you incorporate into your own production?

Kito: I love how minimal that track is, mostly driven by a kick/bass and the vocal. When Brazy did her verse, it felt catchy enough that it could exist on such a stripped-back beat - those are my favourite type of club tracks.

FMM: How did you approach collaborating with Kah-Lo, Brazy, and Baauer on take your vibes and go? What was the creative process like?

Kito: Kah-Lo, Noah Breakfast and I started an idea, and Kah-Lo sent it to Brazy for a verse. When Brazy sent back her verse, I knew I wanted to try a completely different beat under it with a new structure, so Noah and I, we re-tackled it with Baauer during a session. Re-approaching tracks like this is often my favourite way to produce. It’s like a little dj sesh - finding the right beat for the vocal or vice versa.

FMM: Can you elaborate on the meaning of BIMYOU? How did you decide to centre your EP around this concept?

Kito: BIMYOU is a word I was drawn to years ago and even had a friend draw me a sketch with the intention of starting a label (which ended up being the artwork). I actually put my HAANI EP out on this imprint BIMYOU along with another project I worked on - Tara Carosielli’s I Know You Hate Me EP. So, the word has been in my consciousness for a while! It’s a Japanese word that means “subtle” and implies something is a little “off” and may be better off without it altogether.

FMM: You mentioned this EP represents a process of subtracting elements that came from overthinking. Can you discuss how your artistic approach has evolved over time?

Kito: I think it might be my life mission - to live more in the moment and inject that as much into my music as possible. I guess that’s why making music can be so therapeutic as it does tend to put you in the moment. It’s the finishing that brings up all the overthinking, at least in my own experience, and so I really tried to not do that with this project - (I realise that’s impossible for me haha) but at least only keeping the elements that did come from that playful energy that doesn’t take anything, especially myself, too seriously.

FMM: You’ve had the cover artwork designed since 2016. How does the artwork reflect the themes or emotions of the EP?

Kito: The drawing is by an artist friend - Iain Dean (highly recommend checking out his work - he’s amazing). I’m pretty sure the little dude is the guy that can’t make a decision, which is often me, but it’s playful. It just feels a little “off” in a good way which fits perfectly with BIMYOU.

FMM: Looking back at your collaborations with various artists throughout your career, which partnership stands out the most to you and why?

Kito: It sounds a bit soppy, but I often feel so moved at how many amazing friendships music has given me. So those come to mind first.. I’ve made a lot with Noah Beresin over the years and we used to share a studio. We made the Aluna song that ended up being sampled / used by Skrillex (and then nominated for a Grammy), also Recap with Channel Tres and VanJess, and of course worked on this EP with him. Also, FLETCHER has been an amazing artist to work with and something magic always seems to happen when get in the studio. Her belief in me as a producer has definitely given me some confidence I needed to tap into.

FMM: How does your experience as a DJ influence your production style when creating tracks for your own music?

Kito: I definitely think being a DJ has influenced the way I approach producing - not just the way I think about how something will work in a DJ set, but also sound choice and what I naturally gravitate towards structure-wise. I don't come from a massively musical background, so I started out sampling over playing instruments, and DJing has definitely played a role in that.

FMM: Can you share what inspired you to start your underground event series Club Kito?

Kito: After a few years of mostly just focusing on production and then being indoors during a pandemic, I found myself not really knowing who I was making music for and wanted to re-connect with people in real life. I’ve always felt like I’m a bit too pop for club music and a bit too left for pop (as an Artist - not necessarily as a producer), so the thing that made the most sense for me was to just do my own thing. It’s been the absolute best. I love the vibe at these parties so much.

FMM: What has been one of your favorite moments from these events?

Kito: I can't pick just one - all the unexpected B2B’s and incredible DJ sets from so many of my favourite artists and DJ’s has been a dream (A-Trak, Tove Lo, Jimmy Edgar, Kah-Lo, Empress Of, Nala, JamesJamesJames, Uffie and so many more).

FMM: After the release of BIMYOU, what can fans expect from you next? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations in the works?

Kito: This month I have a song with Tommy Genesis coming out, and also one with Mallrat. Then, we have remixes coming for the EP which I’m really excited about.

FMM: What does the release of BIMYOU mean to you personally, and how do you hope it resonates with your audience?

Kito: BIMYOU is not so different from my Club Kito parties - it’s about forgetting sub genres and scenes and putting more emphasis on everyone’s individual expression when coming together to collaborate. Bringing out the best in each other etc. I hope people feel warm and fuzzy and energised by the world I’m trying to create in real life and in my music, because that's definitely how it makes me feel haha.