Kidnap Kid is a young producer and DJ hailing from the Steel City & now living in Leeds. His recent productions have been gaining some notice from the local radius & from further out as well with one of his songs “If” appearing on Dusk & Blackdown’s Rinse.fm show & also included in his first release on Sheffield based label Squelch & Clap that’s coming out in June so watch out for that one over at squelchandclap.com.

If (forthcoming Squelch and Clap) by Kidnap kid

For more of his finely made sounds head over to his soundcloud at http://soundcloud.com/kidnap_kid 

 He kindly agreed to answer some questions about his recent productions & activities, press read more for the actual interview

So first comes first when did you start making music & what got you into music to start with?

I don’t remember ever not being into music to be honest, I grew up listening to metal, then got hooked on drum and bass when I was 14, started Djing, then progressed through to dubstep and garage. I think I started first trying to write electronic music when I was 16, but I’d been in bands for years before that.

First piece of music you bought?

I think it the avalanches – that frontier psychiatrist tune 

That tune has been a favourite of mine for a long time, still don’t actually own it though, shame.

What’s your favourite track and/or artist of the moment?

Loving Jacques Greene at the minute, his track ‘The Look’ is my favourite at the moment. It changes weekly though.

Tbh i’m interested to know the answer to this question, which has got a better music scene Sheffield or Leeds & why?

 Leeds most definitely, it has a lot more diversity, and there is a lot more stuff on, most nights there is something I want to go to. I think Sheffield has been catching up recently though, not with the big nights, but they’re starting to bring in more interesting artists in my opinion. Also – Subdub, nuff said!

Vinyl, CD or digital?

If my budget allowed – Vinyl, but I can’t afford to get every tune I’d want on Wax, so I have to compromise and buy some digis

If you had one golden rule about making music what would it be?

Just make what you want to make! I spent a long time writing stuff I thought I should be writing.The end result didn’t become interesting until I stopped focusing on genre and started doing what I wanted to do.

How do you approach producing? Do you get an idea in your head then build on it? Or do you start with a blank & just start fiddling with sounds?

I always start with a sample, either a vocal hook or just a cool sound, then build around that to get the ideas going. The original sample rarely ends up in the finished piece, but it’s a good way of getting things moving.

What inspires & influences your music?

Hmmm, hard to say. Anything and everything I guess. Every time I hear something new and innovative it motivates me to keep trying I guess, the knowledge that there is always someone better then you haha! 

When did you first think of yourself as a producer & was there a particular track you made that gave you that feeling?

Not until very recently, I guess when other people started taking an interest in my music. Once other people want to invest their time/money in you, it provides a certain validation that wasn’t there before. 

I’ve seen that your gonna be DJing @ an LSS night @ SAWA on 8th April in Sheffield soon, what do you enjoy more Djing or Producing & why?

I could never pick one. They’re quite separate in my head to be honest. Djing is all about getting the party going, whereas making music can be a lot more personal. I love both of them though.

Tune for the Summer?

Joy O – Sicko Cell or Boddika – Soul what
Doesn’t come much better than them!

Festival your most hyped about?

Glastonbury, I’m expecting something special this year.

Thanks very much Kidnap Kid for answering my questions, see you round or on the slopes sometime soon

Pleasure! Catch you soon