Q&A: Kaskade

(Credit: Infamous PR)

Ryan “Kaskade” Raddon made international headlines recently—but not exactly in a good way. When the Los Angeles DJ/producer sent out a seemingly innocuous tweet to his 90,000 Twitter followers, hyping a “block party” outside the historic Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood, thousands of fans turned out, forcing police to shut down Hollywood Boulevard and causing a near-riot when Kaskade’s appearance was cancelled in an effort to disperse the crowd.

For legal reasons, Kaskade still can’t comment directly on what happened outside the Chinese. But he’s still got plenty to talk about, from his major role alongside other top DJs like Deadmau5 and Swedish House Mafia in the “Electric Daisy Carnival Experience” documentary (the film that was premiering at the Chinese the night of the “riot”) to his new single, “Eyes,” dropping this month, and a new studio album due out this fall on Ultra Records.

But perhaps the most exciting news on the Kaskade front is the launch of the Identity Festival, America’s first-ever touring electronic music festival. In addition to serving as one of the festival headliners, Kaskade had a hand in curating many of the other artists and in conceiving the festival’s visual elements, from art installations to the look of the stages. If it’s a success, Identity could be the start a whole new chapter in the growing popularity of electronic dance music in America—one that hopefully won’t involve any more near-riots.

You’re kind of the star of the “Electric Daisy Carnival Experience” film! Did you have any reservations about letting them film you at home with your family, or were you eager to let fans see that side of you?
I had major reservations about this, outside of my art I am an extremely private person. I know Insomniac [Events, producers of Electric Daisy Carnival] really well, so I figured if anyone could capture me at home and make it feel natural, they could.

What was the inspiration behind putting together the Identity Festival?
I think EDM [electronic dance music] is at a place now, here, in America that it has reached a wider audience. The time is right to try and bring the sound to as many places as possible with as much oomph as possible. 
 
How were the lineups chosen? You’ve got a pretty eclectic mix, from Steve Aoki to the Disco Biscuits.
This is one of the reasons I was attracted to the festival.  I wanted it to be diverse and fun. I think that was really achieved with many different styles of EDM represented.

Who’s likeliest to pull the biggest rock star antics during the tour?
Two weeks ago I would have said Aoki, 'cause he enjoys that kind of stuff. But with my recent Hollywood episode I guess anything is possible.

Your Beatport artist profile has you tagged with nine different genres, everything from progressive house to drum ‘n’ bass. How do you like to describe your music?
That is awesome, I did not even know that! Euphoric, feel good music that makes you want to move. A bit of a mouthful but I think that about encompasses it.
 
What tools do you use to compose your songs? Do you play any instruments?
I am at home inside the sequencer, sound design program of Pro Tools. I play the keys a bit and sing poorly but I’m not sure any of that can count. I consider myself more of a composer and songwriter than anything. But that sounds kind of serious, so maybe “a guy with musical ideas” would be a better description.
 
Your songs nearly always feature (mostly female) vocals; your new single “Eyes” has Mindy Gledhill on vocals. Have you ever or would you ever sing on one of your own tracks?
I have sung back up vocals on a few of my songs but never the lead. It will happen one day; I am just waiting for the right song. 
 
Has the technology changed the way you DJ? Do you do longer mixes, edit tracks on the fly, stuff like that?
Yeah the technology is moving quick and making things a lot easier. So much more music at my fingertips and so much easier to find things and edit them together. Playing live has never been better. 

You’ve been a professional DJ for how long now?
I had my first paid gig in 1989 so that is 22 years ago…nuts. I never imagined this would be my profession. I thought you had to hate your job but every day I wake up excited to get started.