Exclusive Interview with ‘KOLEKLEIN’

KOLEKLEIN is a music producer, songwriter, artist, and DJ who was born in America. With mind-bending bass music that blends an unforgettable fusion of Tearout and Dubstep ready to rock you to your core, KOLEKLEIN brings the virtual world into the physical world. The only two things you can do while listening to KOLEKLEIN’s music are either rip the closest rail out of the ground or realign your vertebrae. KOLEKLEIN will open a moshpit so brutal you might want to stand aside. Think of a dystopian future in which you are preparing for the final conflict between good and evil. You look up and see two planets colliding; as you and your army of bass heads charge full speed, lasers fly past you.

With its cyber twist and colossal sound, this release, “Fembot,” introduces a fresh, original fusion of dubstep and tearout to the festival scene. In FEMBOT, a human female goes rogue and loses her free will after being combined with technology from the near future. The opening track conveys a nostalgic dystopia that highlights the danger of technology and human biology coming together. Keep up with the journey because the battle has only just begun because FEMBOT is the beginning of an epic story that will leave you craving more of KOLEKLEIN’s monumental sound. Check out the latest single and the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how you got started?

KOLEKLEIN: I am American-born and have traveled since I was a kid so I never really grew up anywhere specific. I was heavily influenced by the metal scene for the majority of my life. When I was 14 I discovered EDM while traveling listening to a pandora radio station, I fell in love with the feeling that came over me and will forever be such a powerful nostalgic i’ll never forget. I started learning how to produce and over the years honed in on a very specific Metal inspired fusion of Tearout and Dubstep.

2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?

KOLEKLEIN: I am self-taught but have received a lot of tips and tricks from other artists, my journey started with Melbourne Bounce and Dance music. Deep down I always knew I needed to make heavy music with the deeply rooted heavy metal that runs through my veins. Seeing the entire crowd erupt into pure energy fills my heart with pure joy. I am naturally a high-energy person and being able to share that energy through music is my life journey.

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘KOLEKLEIN’?

KOLEKLEIN: The first EDM song I listened to was Crave You (Adventure Club Remix) which led me to Skrillex Cinema remix. Skrillex had the largest impact on me and I painted the walls of my room black and splattered neon paint, set up some black lights, and sat for hours listening to Skrillex dreaming of when I grow up ill be able to make music of the future just like him. Dubstep has changed so much over the years but I’ll never forget that feeling I had dreaming as a kid. My name is Kole Klein and I wanted to be original as well as implement a lot of my personality into my brand so I just smashed the name together and capitalized it to represent that colossal KOLEKLEIN sound.

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

KOLEKLEIN: My music represents the battle of the mind, we are constantly at war within and so many people give up on that war. I want to send a clear message of empowerment, that no matter the battle if you keep fighting you shall be victorious. I would describe my sound as a supernatural war between good and evil, heavy machine guns and tonal anvils, heavenly choirs, and dark atmospheres with cyber-inspired synths, it is the battle of duality.

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?

KOLEKLEIN:

Music is frequency and frequency is energy, energy can be good, bad, happy, sad, etc. Music has the potential to not only change your mood but also alter human behavior. Music has the potential to heal, empower and even alter a persons reality, views, and decisions. I seek to entertain and showcase technical artistic expression while elevating the mind, body and spirit. I embed important messages within all of my music, each song is a piece of the puzzle. At the end of the day, it’s all fun and is open to however you’d like to interpret it with the underlying message of conquering the battle of the mind.

7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

KOLEKLEIN:

Even if nobody heard my music I would be fulfilled because music is my spiritual and emotional outlet, I have a passion for making music and would still make it without an audience. The surprise is that I know the outcome of my music because I’ve spent years strategically planning all of the facets I need to be a successful musician. Ive founded a Record Label, a PR Firm, a Marketing Agency, and an Investor Hub.

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

KOLEKLEIN:

I start just about every project with the drums and percussive elements first, usually the drop before anything else. Then I try my best to implement the ideas in my mind for the drop. Once I have a solid layout for the drop i’ll work on the intro, I  bounce back and forth and the track will evolve depending on the way I feel and the vibe I have. When I have the song fully laid out, it will end up sounding completely different when I finish it. I like to think of it like molding clay, you start off with a blob and after adding the water and softening it for a while you can now change its shape, etch in the fine details and paint it. Then I create a story around the song, maybe alter a couple of things in the song to fit the story, and mix and master. At this point I send it to a council for review and feedback, depending on the feedback I may need to go back and change a few things.

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

KOLEKLEIN: The battle of the mind has been the most difficult challenge to face in music. Its so easy to set high expectations and easily be let down. Facing disappointment and trusting in yourself that time and experience is the best teacher isn’t very easy. it’s constant highs and lows and you have to trust in the process and dedicate yourself for the long term. If I had any advice for musicians, it would be that the only mistake you can make is giving up.

10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

KOLEKLEIN: My biggest achievement so far is finding my sound and being able to produce 80% of what is in my head. Seeing my vision come to life and develop is a very special moment for me. So when you release a song and it doesn’t get a million streams, remember that it’s a process, and eventually, with persistence, motivation, imagination, and setting goals, you will eventually achieve your dreams.