Contributing Writer
Known for cooking up floor-filling hits, STEB delivers a brand new single featuring Dario Rossi on Night Vibez Records. We caught up with STEB to discuss his latest release, his production process and more.
Hey STEB, great to be chatting with you today! How has the year been so far?
Ciao, It is a pleasure to speak with you!
I am very satisfied, for the first release of the year, the “Ritual Sunrise” Ep on Sun Generation Records, it has had excellent feedback and important support and it reached 1st place in the Beatport raw / techno new releases chart, I could not ask for more, I am very happy!
Can you tell us about your new release on Night Vibez Records, and talk us through the concept?
Kauris in Finnish means Capricorn, I was born under this sign and I must say that it represents my character and my artistic parts on a high level.
I always have a very intimate approach when I make music, in this production my deepest and darkest part has come out, but at the same time also my melodic and romantic side, all embellished by the groove and the talent of Dario Rossi, who has cured the Keyboards and the percussion.
On the record you work with renowned drummer Dario Rossi, how did you link up with him and why?
Dario Rossi is an incredible artist and an amazing person. Our paths crossed by chance, we first became friends and then we had the chance to perform together.
From there, a beautiful understanding and a great feeling was born, both on a human and artistic level and without planning or thinking about anything, we found ourselves in the studio, recording his percussion “live” and working together on the production of this song.
I’m very satisfied because I think it represents both of us, despite having different backgrounds and a different way of expressing our passion for music.
This is your second release on the label, how does this one differ from the previous one?
Given the good experience, the excellent results and the great understanding I had with the whole Night Vibez Records team with the first release, I immediately thought of them for the release of the Kauris 1979 EP.
Both releases represent me, even if they have a different mood and sound.
Listening to a lot of music of all genres every day, during my DJ performances, I like to mix different styles and genres, the same thing goes for my productions.
I hate being labelled and honestly, I can’t categorize myself on a precise musical genre.
During the production process are you thinking about the setting, clubs and dancers or do you just let it flow?
I was born as a DJ, the approach to music production came as a natural path, after many years, when I felt ready to get involved and transform my ideas into music.
During the production process, it is therefore normal for me to think about the club and the dancefloor, but I always follow the flow, the sensations, the mood and the inspiration of the moment in a very natural and spontaneous way.
The EP also features remixes from Marvin & Guy, Feel Fly and more. Do you have a favourite remix on the release and have you had a chance to play the remixes in clubs?
I have great respect for all the remixers present in the release and I love their sound. I don’t have a favourite remix, for my taste, in their style, they are all amazing!
I had the pleasure of playing the original and all the remixes, and I must say that depending on the type of gigs and party, time and situation, each version, if proposed at the right time and in the right context, has always had an excellent response on the dancefloor and I’m really happy about that.
How important do you find social media as part of your role in being a DJ these days?
I am of the opinion that times change, music evolves and also the approach and the way of proposing it in order to be competitive and in line with the times.
The way I think, in 2023, a DJ must have a lot of passion and a lot of hard work, a good mix technique, a well-recognizable sound that characterizes and distinguishes him, but also the image and social media aspect is fundamental today.
Thanks to these, you can make yourself heard, known and discovered all over the world with just a few clicks and at the same time keep your followers updated on your gigs and releases in real time.
I have a very “personal” approach to social media, I like to share not only what concerns my “artistic” part, but also things from my daily life outside of music, to allow those who follow me, to also get to know the person I am behind the DJ/producer, and partly to let them enter into my world.
Are there any up and coming producers that have caught your eye lately?
I.G.N.A., Matteo Manuali, Sourires, The Beautiful Sinners and Mattia Barcellona have great potential, and I really like the sound of Sam Ruffillo, Alessio Collina, Mennie, Dukwa, Matisa, Francesco Chiocci, Louden, Ben Kim, Amarcord, Pakkio Sans, Aldebaran and also Feel Fly, but they are no longer emerging as they are already supported and appreciated by most important DJs in the world and they have already released music on the best and most prestigious labels on the planet.
Thanks so much for joining us today! Lastly, what else is on the horizon for STEB this year?
It was a pleasure!
There are collaborations, projects and releases that I really care about, planned for this year and the beginning of the next, both on my label Valkea Music and on others labels, but I don’t want to anticipate anything.
Stay tuned and follow me if you’re curious to find out! 🙂
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