:: Spotlight :: Interview with KCB

By: Con Koudsy

KCB, the megamixer behind “Wild”, Australia's longest running and highest selling dance compilation, and having sold over half a million CD's under the Wild, Central Energy and previous KCB Floorfillas compilations, is back with the third volume of KCB Floorfillas. We had a chat with KCB about his DJ-ing and remixing gigs, past clubbing experiences, and of course his latest work, Floorfillas!

Floorfillas Volume 3 has just been released in Australia. What's the response you've been receiving from fans so far?

I have fans? Well I have had emails saying how much they like the album, and the artwork too. NRG is a niche community of support so naturally I get contacted lots by up and coming DJ and producers sending me their work too!

You're set for a tour around the country promoting Volume 3. Where will it take you?

Well, my tour kicks off tonight at Newcastle, and will follow the usual circuit of clubs since my days mixing the Wild CDs - Church NC Adelaide, Family Brisbane, Discovery Darwin, Space Sydney, Miami U18s and stacks more.

Some would say that NRG has a very retro vibe about it. Would you agree?

Retro is commonly recognised as 80s style Cindy Lauper, Duran Duran, Prince, Wham and Early Michael Jackson styles of music, however NRG has had its fair share of shameless re-makes, and continuing. In fact, the life span of NRG in commercial clubs rely on remakes. However the term NRG has an old school / retro past, in the way that it came about late 90s, and only select DJs can get away with playing it. Those DJs new to playing NRG can lose a dance floor if they don't know what exact song to play at the time.

Why do you think retro music is so popular with clubbers?

Because people feel comfortable with it, it comes on and they tap or sing along to it because in their head it sparks a memory, or reminds them of a song they have enjoyed in the past, or they grew up to, it's this reason commercial clubs rely on NRG remakes.

For those that don't know, how would you explain the difference between NRG and Hi NRG?

NRG is like 70s disco. Replace all the acoustic drums with drum machines that are harder and bumped up to 140-150 bpm. Bass is tougher, thicker and on the off note, and lead synths usually belt out big! Newcomers may find it monotnous and less is more in this music, especially vocal wise. Replace the romantics of 70s disco instruments and replace it with weird punching hoover style sounds. In fact, 70s disco really sounds nothing like NRG!

HI NRG is the cheesy cousin of NRG. More vocals, usually a female vocal that is catchy, or a sampled RAP part from an old public enemy song, to stereotype. The sample is quickened up to often sound squeaky or unrecognisable to compensate for clearance, as most HI NRG is produced by DJs or smaller labels who can't get samples cleared. HI NRG is a favourite of common club goers, as its light hearted but kicks hard!

What kind of people do you think Floorfillas Volume 3 will appeal to?

Both the older generation of Clubbers, as its a double CD. Disc 2 is hard trance for the older fans of dance, where Disc 1 is big bad ass cheese for the younger or newcomer to dance.

What are your favourite tracks on this compilation?

All of them bar 3 or 4 on Disc 1. It's so hard to get tracks approved by record companies, so naturally some songs are on the CD just so people get their moneys worth. It's a catch 22, not something I’d play! I usually start with a list of my favourite 50 songs, and maybe 30 will get cleared, and usually my favourite 20 are those that are denied. So, sometimes there are 3 or four songs on the disc and when people say “what where you thinking?!”, I just say “If only you knew”.

What originally made you want to get into the DJ-ing and Remixing?

When listening to the Wild CDs at age 18 and 19, the megamixes intrigued me! A mate and I wanted to become a DJ team, but he didn't last the distance and dropped off out of lack of effort. Hence the birth of KCB. Instead of the “DJ Brothers”, thank God!

Were you a big clubber/raver before you got into the scene professionally?

When I was 18, 19 and 20, yes! Not these days, I usually rock up half an hour before I go on and leave afterwards. If it's a new club I stick around to get to know the promoter or manager. It's networking for return business.

You've signed with UK labels Y2K and Masif Records. How does it feel to have your music reach international audiences?

Well it's a job now, but in the beginning I was ecstatic. When I was 22 I called my parents and screamed through the phone, and of course bragged to my friends! Now its more of a worry, hoping the next song sells. Funny story, my fiancée had a song dedicated to her when she was younger by her ex boyfriend. Her jaw dropped years later, long into our relationship she discovered I wrote and produced it! (laughs) Funny!

Is it hard for Australian clubbing music to break into the international markets, or is it something that's universally appreciated?

It is if your style of production doesn't sound like theirs. I'm focusing on writing German NRG , so naturally I’m writing music that sounds like the stuff they are making. Disc 1 of Volume 3 is full of German NRG, buy it and hear!

Can you remember your very first DJ gig? How did it go?

Etamogar Bar, Darling Harbour. I was so nervous playing to the two footy heads on the other side of an empty room my first ever song: For an Angel by Paul Van Dyke!

What was one of your most memorable performances?

Evolution Dance party January 2005, Discovery Darwin! Alongside Warp Bros we brought the house down to thousands, and they screamed for an Encore! The feeling of so many faces, hands in the air, screaming for “more” is an amazing feeling as a DJ. If you were intoxicated enough, a DJ could mistaken themselves for a God at that very moment! (laughs) Joking!

Is it hard to enjoy/get into the music yourself when you're busy DJ-ing a gig?

Only driving home from a gig, I'll listen to classical sometimes, there is a constant ringing sound in my ear all night.

Floorfilla albums have always had such cool cover art! Where do the ideas for the covers come from?

Red J art - he's is the best artist in the world. He works to my brief and turns my ideas into 2D magic enjoyed by all.

Volume 3 has just been released but can we expect a Floorfillas Volume 4 some day?
Yes, later this year. So buy it, or there may not be a volume 5!

Floorfillas Volume 3 is out now. KCB is also touring select nightclubs around Australia. For more info, check out the official site