Photo: Joel Hudson
Following on from the incredible support for her breakthrough debut single 'Meet Me On The Dancefloor', which found airplay on both BBC Introducing and BBC Three Counties radio, London-based DJ and producer Klara WL has now returned with her thumping new effort 'Every Day'.
Collaborating with vocalist Angelina Caplazi for the release, 'Every Day' makes for a wonderfully fresh and upbeat listener. Continuing her ventures into the bold and pulsing side of the house sound, she is certainly delivering something special for these emerging summer months.
So with the new single available now, we sat down with her to find out more about her background and influences over the years.
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What was the first artist and record you fell in love with?
I have always been a fan of British pop and rock music since I was a little girl. There isn’t a record in particular but I was a big fan of George Michael and Elton John and had a particular love for Blur. We’re talking about the middle of the 90s here and this music had a massive contribution to me as an artist now.
Walk us through the artist process of Kiara WL - where did your career start and were there any inspirations behind this?
If we’re talking about Kiara WL as a DJ, it was 1999 and I had lots of DJs and radio presenters as friends. I realised that female DJs were ‘rare’ and this gave me a stronger wish to make it in a male-led industry, it was the last push I needed to want to be one!
Music production started almost at the same time, but if you consider that I had been playing guitar, piano and writing songs for the previous decade before starting DJing, you understand how a ‘natural step’ for me.
Music has been a huge part of my life since I was a little girl, and so many songs create the soundtrack of my life. I just want my music or what I play to inspire and create emotions.
What has been your primary inspiration in producing music?
As I said, I like to inspire and create emotions. I love when people react to my music. Inspiration from the songs I produce usually comes from my life, or from the experience, the people I meet, the places I’ve been. It’s a true songwriter process.
What are your most memorable gig highlights so far?
I have played in so many places! If I had to choose, not easy though, I could narrow it down to 2 gigs: one was at Gay Village in Rome, back in the days when this summer festival that last 3 months was the coolest and trendiest in town before they, unfortunately, had to shut. I will never forget stepping behind the decks with at least a thousand people in front of me. Priceless!
The other gig was in Miami Beach during the Winter Music Conference, on Lincoln Road at Segafredo Cafe’. The location is in the middle of the busiest road in Miami Beach, in the midst of all the big main clubs hosting WMC, and my decks were on a pedestal outside the venue, so there were so many people standing dancing, passing by and just enjoying the sun. I wish I was still there!
What is a song you wish you had produced yourself?
Too many to mention, but if I have to choose I’d say a classic from Soulsearcher - I can’t get enough.
If there was any moment in your career you could relive, what would it be?
The first time my first production with my name on was released! It was only April 2020, I’ve been co-producing in the past but my name was never on the front cover!
Which artist would you most love to share a stage with?
Louie Vega. His music has been a big inspiration to me since I started DJing. I love his style, the roots of his music, and he’s never had to ‘appear’ to be seen, he just made great music year after year.
You’re a radio show host - talk us through a day in the life of this and selecting tracks for the show.
Music is always selected starting from inspiration I may get from a club night, a radio tune, other DJs playing, or me discovering old tracks. I am fortunate to be able to play what I like during my show which is great freedom for me. I sometimes have guest DJs or producers on my shows, so I pre-record the interviews and do the editing to be able to broadcast during the show. On the day of the show, I look for news and stories that I’d like to share with the audience and prepare the set-up for the live show.
There is a lot of work behind a single show!
Give us three of your top artists you would love to collaborate on a record?
Again, definitely Louie Vega! I am also a big fan of Mousse T and his music. And how wonderful would be to have a vocalist like the iconic Erikah Badu inspire a track and sing on it. That would be pure heaven.
Where do you see yourself in five years time? Have you got any exciting forthcoming releases you’d like to mention?
I definitely want to grow as a music producer and I have big goals for my label Music Box Records too.
I also have some dream festivals I’d love to DJ on. I hope to be able to share the stage with some of my preferred artists.
A track was out at the end of March - ‘Every Day’ with the vocals from Angelina Caplazi and incredible remixes from Maurice Bird from Mangé Le Funk and MAD Beats which is having amazing reactions from the audience but I have even a bigger release coming out in June which an out-of-the-world remixer which I can’t wait to share with you all!
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Kiara WL's new single 'Every Day' ft. Angelina Caplazi is available to stream now. Check it out below.