Being an 80s and 90s kid, it’s time for KMALECTRO to release his tracks after a long absence from the music industry. He once collaborated with a lot of well-known artists. But he was, regrettably, too young to understand business. He dares to produce and release his music thanks to the internet and renewed motivation following a lengthy career as an osteopath and Trauma Therapist. Prior to that, he believed it to be unmarketable. He plays the guitar, piano, and table himself, and despite playing for twenty years, he has not lost his strength. Check out his song Guten Morgen Cologne and the exclusive interview below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you are from and how it all started?
KMALECTRO: “starts with a bang” my parents came to Germany from Afghanistan and we applied for asylum. My father ran the 1960 Olympics in Rome and had good connections to Germany through his medical studies. He wanted to complete his residency in Germany. My mother studied to become a teacher – she wanted to be a teacher. I myself grew up in modest circumstances in Bonn and felt nothing of it because we always made music on the weekends. I started learning table at the age of 3 and later piano and some guitar.
I taught myself everything.
2. Did you have formal training or are you self-taught?
KMALECTRO: I have had lessons for my instruments but very little. To this day I still have a guitar teacher and am diligently learning about instruments. I did an apprenticeship as an audio engineer and audio engineer. I am currently in a Mastering narrower training. I have further training that has nothing to do with music and is my actual job. Living from music used to be difficult, so I chose osteopathy, psychotherapy, and health sciences.
Today I can split it up and pursue my passion.
I am happy to finally be able to walk this path.
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name “KMALECTRO”?
KMALECTRO: I come from the late 80s and 90s – George Michael, wham, Prince, Bowie Depeche Mode but also Snap, Thorsten Fenslauf, Hubertkah and many more influenced me… a colorful dog and I also like my home music.
The name kamal means “perfection” according to my language, this is also translated as ART in Afghan.
So I kept Kamal = kmal as one and added ectro – as ELECTRO because no matter what I produce there will always be a part electronic.
Maybe it was just a coincidence and I didn’t even think about it. In hindsight you can interpret so much into it that it sounds wise – “kamal laughs at himself”
4. What do you think are the key elements of your music that should resonate with listeners and how would you personally describe your sound?
KMALECTRO: I’m a kid of the 90’s and we’ll always be heard too. Rhythm is important to me when I edit it and record it live. I use old samples from James Brown and edit the snare rhythm so I can take over the flow. It should always flow for me. Soul is so important in my music. But this is also an absolute matter of taste.
5. For most artists, originality is preceded by a period of learning and often imitation. How was that for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker and the transition to your own style, which is referred to as EDM?
KMALECTRO:
I’m still in the middle of discovering myself, so it’s going to be really exciting over the next few years. I’m just excited when I think about it.
6. How do you see the role and function of music as a political, cultural, spiritual and/or social vehicle – and are you trying to tackle any of these issues in your work, or are you only interested in music as an expression of music? technical artistry, personal narrative and entertainment?
KMALECTRO:
Check out my video on YouTube about Guten Morgen Cologne.
Since I do everything myself, from the editing to the story, I also try to incorporate messages. Everything has a story or sometimes I just do NON-STOP and something funny comes out of it. You shouldn’t always take life too seriously.
Music is an outlet and therapy for the musician and for other people. It touches on several levels and can mobilize people. It brings us together and as such is a powerful emotionally positive tool for me.
7. Do you feel that your music gives you as much fulfillment as the amount of work you put into it, or do you expect something more or different in the future?
KMALECTRO:
The moment when I make music, this is such a wonderful peace in me and so I can decide freely and develop myself to continue to form. It is a privilege that I can live on this earth in a country where I can make music and we have met all basic needs. I am so thankful for that and on the other hand I always have compassion for all other people in my country or in other countries who are not doing well.
8. Can you describe your creative processes? How do you usually start and proceed to form ideas into a finished song? Do you usually start with a melody, a beat, or a narrative in mind? And do you work with others in this process?
KMALECTRO:
I do it alone It just comes to my mind. But I usually let it flow out of me and something develops. Sometimes I let myself be inspired by other songs or melodies. I mean somehow everything already exists. We’re just putting it back together.
9. On the contrary, what would you describe as a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
KMALECTRO: So much has happened in my life that I didn’t understand, it has shaped and changed me. Basically, I don’t take myself seriously. Who am I and therefore can live well in the visible invisibility.
10. Since social media has a strong impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you deal with criticism, haters and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or do you just ignore it?
KMALECTRO: It’s not nice when people write strange things. I mean, if you don’t like me as an artist, you can just keep swiping. Hatred of oneself creates hatred on the net. It is not me who is being insulted, but the person who is dissatisfied and frustrated with himself. I try to take it lightly, but it still touches. We all just want to be loved and nobody likes to be rejected.
11. Creative work in a studio or at home or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you the most and why?
KMALECTRO: I love my work in the studio as well as playing live.
Above all, I need variety, otherwise I get bored.
That’s important to me. Compose once with the piano and once with the guitar or other means.
12. Do you think it’s important for fans of your music to understand the true story and message behind each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own way?
KMALECTRO: I think there are fans and followers. One just likes the music, the other likes to learn more about me and the third from my text – we e.g. with the track and video “point of ease” I described there in English. (you tube ) what the instruments and the track say. Maybe someone can relate.
Each for himself as he likes it.
I celebrate every listener
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