A soothing gentle edition to the Untitled 909 series from UK-based DJ and producer Kilig who shows a different side to his sound, creating a mix that is perfect for home listening and those more peaceful moments.
With releases on Shall Not Fade, unknown – untitled, Silver Bear Recordings and a whole host of self-released tracks, including a collaborative record with Ciel, Kilig is one to watch. Releasing his four track ‘Canvas’ project in the summer of 2021, Kilig has gained a greater sense of creative control, epitomised by painting all the artwork himself and showcasing the breadth of his artistic talent. This is something that transcends through his DJ sets and radio mixes where he explores all soundscapes, most notably digging into the rich history of UK club sounds. However, on his Rinse FM show, you can find Kilig digging deep into his collection, alternating between the raw energy of the club to the sweet ambient sounds to soundtrack those tender early mornings.
Bringing that energy to the Untitled 909 mix series, we chat to Kilig about his production journey so far, when we can expect to hear new music from him, the first introduction to music through his parents varied tastes and what’s on the vision board right now.
Hey Ryan! How are you doing? What have you been up to lately?
Hey! I’m good thank you, thanks so much for having me. I’m having a proper soft Summer to be honest, the weather has been weird right? I was invited to play my first Glastonbury this year, which was also my first time on the farm – but, mostly I’ve been to the cinema, a few spa days & walking my dog ‘Milhouse’ in the countryside.
Let’s start from the very beginning: what was your first introduction to music in general, and then more specifically to electronic music?
Hmm first musical memory is tricky, my parents have a really mixed taste – like polar opposites, so car journeys shaped a lot of what I listened to growing up, depending on who was driving you’d get Led Zeppelin, Texas, Squeeze, Take That, Guns N Roses, Mike and The Mechanics, Bob Marley, all kinds of stuff. First electronic music memory is CLEAR AS DAY. After school at my mate Khalil’s house – UKF DnB, High Contrast remix of ‘Hometown Glory’ by Adele. Never heard anything like that before.
Who was the first artist or band you were a fan of?
I think the first CDs I got were like Steps and Bewitched haha but the first stuff I bought myself was like emo! Aiden, HIM, Good Charlotte, My Chem, that sort of stuff.
Was there a formative moment growing up, like seeing a favorite band live or an incredible DJ set, that set you on this path?
The first gig I ever went to was Oasis at Manchester City Stadium. Bit of flex that looking back now, especially after their reunion news this week. DJ wise, I was just turning 18/19 when Dubstep really had its boom and to be there to witness the growth of that definitely got me excited about electronic music. I ran parties at my local “Club” – a 100 cap sweatbox – and that is still some of the most fun I’ve had just experimenting and learning about different scenes and genres to this day.
How does your environment influence your work?
I don’t think it’s something I think about too heavily. I create when I feel ready, but obviously the environment and my social setting or my emotions or whatever, definitely play into that. Sometimes I’ll lean into those feelings and use them to fuel what I’m making, and sometimes I’ll use ‘creating’ as an escape from that.
Where do you seek inspiration outside of music?
I love cinema, Kilig started when I use to run a cinema in Kings Cross, it was so small that the “office” was just a sofa at the back of the room which the film played in, so when the films were on I used to make beats on my headphones and then in between showings I’d sound check them on the system.
What’s your most recent musical discovery that you’re obsessed with?
I’m really invested in Trip Hop and slower electronica sounds at the moment. I mostly listen to music at home & on train journeys and club music doesn’t really do it for me in those settings especially as everything feels so fast at the moment. There’s something special about the sound of a real drum kit with machine music.
I’m also rewatching Stranger Things at the minute so anything with even a slight tinge of 80s synth pop gives me goosebumps.
Can you tell us a bit about your production journey and what it’s been like so far?
I started out in bands when I was like 14/15, recording at friends houses and learning that way. I was really really fortunate that the school I went to had an amazing music department with a proper recording studio, so there was always space to experiment and try out new ways of doing things. There was a technician at our school called Alex Kelly, who was a genius in my eyes, he taught me so much about Logic and Cubase and little tips and tricks that just stuck with me over the years. Production is a funny one, not sure who said it but someone once said ‘ a track is never finished, only abandoned.’ And that resonates with me so much. There is always more you can do to a tune or little tweaks and changes and it’ll never be perfect, you just have to learn when its as good as it can be, I think thats maybe why its so addictive
I believe you have a few releases in the works, is that right? Is there anything you can tell us about what’s coming up?
I do, I’ve been a hermit and have music signed and finished until like mid 2025. I’m in that honeymoon phase, where I’ve just finished a load of stuff and think it’s the best thing I’ve ever done haha. I’m still trying to name the next EP, but other than that, yeah, September/ October, we hope to have the first new thing out and I’m excited! The plan is to gradually bring in live elements to performances. I’ve always wanted to work with live strings, so this music feels like it could be the right time.
You’ve also contributed a mix for the 909 series. What’s the concept behind this one?
I wanted an outlet to show some of my recent finds outside of typical club music. It’s a collection of pieces which have inspired my recent productions. There’s some stuff from Purelink, Andy Stott, Airhead, Aphex Twin & Osamu Kitajima which have all been on heavy rotation at the moment.
What is your approach to club mixes versus mixes for online platforms or radio shows?
With my Rinse FM show, I just want to play music I like. I think after maybe a year or so of doing the show, there’s an insight into my taste, and hopefully there are people who enjoy my range of selections. Club stuff is all crowd reading, sometimes you walk in and immediately get the feel for the room and everyone comes with you. Other times it’s trial and error, and a bit clunky, and you have to really ‘mould’ the room.
When was the last time you were on the dancefloor?
Ahhh haha I wish I had a better answer haha but the truth is Sophie Elis Bextor at Truck festival…
What are you most excited about right now?
I’m really enjoying piecing together the ideas for the new music, and how I want to present it publicly. I’ve always felt there is a laziness to some releases, probably as a result of small label budgets – like here’s a song. Safe. And that totally should be enough, and people should enjoy the music for what it is. But, I love it when people go that extra mile to have a concept, or a statement, which helps me to understand the artist better, and brings me more into their world. So, yeah, I’m excited about the possibilities with these next few releases, and collaborating with some visual artists.
What’s on your vision board at the moment?
About 400 pictures of dogs getting re-homed.