Kyle Hall interview

posted by snackmaster on April 5, 2010

We caught up with next generation Detroit artist Kyle Hall on the occassion of his debut release on Hyperdub to see what’s up with the talented young producer that’s been making waves across the globe. Kyle also did a chart of digital faves you can peep here.

So what got you into making music and djing in the first place?

A number of things did. From my friends at school to my parents and just listening to music and wanting to be able to make it.

What was your first set up and how did you get it? what do you use now?

some turntables and a numark mixer and some old home theater audio stuff, eqs, tape decks, etc.

Many of your first releases were on your own label (Wild Oates), how’d you go about putting out records yourself? and why vinyl?

I just went about doing it by making the songs and sending them through the vinyl pressing then selling them to distributers. Vinyl is what I play so it makes sense for me to release on that format.

Detroit is known for its rich musical past, and even today it seems it is still constantly influencing the world with its sound. Can you tell us about the current scene and what makes Detroit so special?

The scene is rebuilding, there are many young people throwing new events and creating new places for electronic music to be heard. More people are beginning to be open to things other than commercial music again here. But what i think makes detroit special is how creative and I diverse people are, you get a bit of everything and everyone here.

Who/What are your biggest influences?

I think I get influenced by a variety of things at different times. Its hard to pin what is the biggest. Currently Id say my biggest influence come from when i just go out and meet people. i pull a lot of energy in my music from people i meet and the places I attend.

We usually ask people ‘what were you like in high school’, but since it doesn’t really apply, let me put it like this – what’s it like being a world traveling DJ/producer while still in high school?

Im not in Highschool any more, so it does apply haha. I graduated in 2009. I never travelled to DJ while in high school. I thought high school was just school basically. I Couldn’t wait to get home to make some beats. And when I was in school I was making beats in the hallways and studios there. so thats what i was like in highschool. I was the kid making beats all the time.

You’re remix for Darkstar was awesome and you’ve got a new 12″ coming out on Hyperdub. How’d you hook up with those cats in the UK? Do you have anything else in the works we should be on the lookout for?

The ep just came out on the 25 of March. The guy who reached out to me was Marcus from Hyperdub, who helps Kode9 run the label. He used to work for Warp Records, and I was going to send him some tracks for maybe an EP for Warp. He asked me If I was interested in doing a remix for Darkstar on Hyperdub and I was like ’sure, why not.’ From my understanding the remix was recieved so well I they ended up asking if I was into doing an ep. So thats how I got hooked up with them.

Your 5 favorite DJ records

Space Dimension Controller – J2TCOTUS (Kyle Hall Remix)

Big Strick – Buckle up (Omar S remix)

Levon Vincent Panorama Bar part 2

Omar S – Oasis #14

MMM – Lets get in on