Coffee Break with Keith Holland
Hey keith, it’s a pleasure to have a chat with you today. First of all, i wanted to ask when your first introduction to music was and at what point you decided to become a dance music producer.
Hey Lauren, I hope you are well.
Music in general was a big part of my life from a very young age. My parents listened to the radio all the time at home, and it definitely had an impact on me. I listened to artists like Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, George Benson and many others. As for electronic music, it started a little later, listening to programs of the genre and mixed sets on the radio.
Regarding the production part, it came after a nearly ten-year career as a DJ. During that time I was a resident in many clubs in São Paulo, and I was a little bored, I started to think that my career would be limited to just being a resident DJ... Which is why I decided to take the next step and focus on music production.
haven’t found the answer yet so: Why the name Keith Holland?
A lot of people ask me about this haha. Actually, my name is Tadeu. Holland is a double meaning referring to the classic Drum Machine "Roland". Keith is because I wanted a name with the letter K, a friend helped me choose. I wanted a cool name, I think I got it :).
you did!
Originating from Brazil, how would you describe the dance music scene there, and what impact would you say being based there had on your art?
Brazil is an amazing country where people love electronic music and love to have fun in general. There are great alternative parties in the city of São Paulo, where I live. Some clubs and bars are also doing a very cool curation. The electronic scene is growing a lot. The number of producers supported by big artists is increasing every year, and the public is very connected to what happens worldwide. Whenever I go out to enjoy or support a party, I receive compliments from people who liked a track I produced or congratulate me on a label that I signed to. I have talented friends who also produce music close to mine, and I’ve been getting a lot of tracks from new producers asking for feedback.
However if you look at the bigger picture, the kind of music that I like to produce and play is not very popular around here yet.
In a world where everything sounds similar and everyone is imitating everyone (consciously or not) you managed to develop your very unique signature sound. Was there a particular process for achieving this? If so, is there some advice you can give to new producers trying to create their own specific sound?
I was very dedicated to learning music production. I spent many sleepless nights, watching videos on YouTube, studying and trying. The only way you learn is by making mistakes. Do what you believe in, don't listen to negative people and even when you're discouraged keep moving forward, it may take time but one day it will pay off.
How would you describe your sound to someone who doesn’t know anything about electronic music?
I define my sound in three words: eloquent, emotional and hypnotic.
In March 2023 you released your debut EP ‘Milenar’ on our label Equanimity. Could you tell us a bit about the process behind it?
Congratulations on the label Lauren. Exactly, my first EP that has four tracks. Three tracks aimed specifically at the dance floor and one more experimental. These are tracks composed of sequencers, emotive pads, saturated bass lines and distorted synthesizers. I loved the result, it really turned out the way I wanted.
Which track is your favorite and why?
Ressalva, I think this track is beautiful and deep. It fits perfectly in the 3 words I used to define my sound.
it is one of our favorites too :) deep and emotional as we love.
What gear or plug ins did you use to create the 4 tracks from this EP?
I used Maschine MK3 by Native intriments and VSTs which I love to use all the time. Mini, Arp 2600, Solina, DX7 and CZ-V... all from Arturia.
You are also known for releasing on Innervisions’ Secret Weapons compilation 2 years in a row, with statement tracks ’Nostalgia’ and ‘Dilema’. Could you tell us a bit about them?
"Dilema" was the turning point in my career. I still remember when I saw the video of Dixon playing for the first time at the Circoloco party in Paris. It was an inexplicable moment. But the best moment came when I was at home, watching my soccer team (Corinthians) play in the late afternoon, when I got a message from Kristian (Âme) saying that he would like to sign the track on Secret Weapons 14. It was a moment of euphoria, seeing my work finally pay off... I even stopped watching the game haha. I sent them "Nostalgia" a month after the release of SW14, I think the first video where I saw Kristian playing the track was in Athens, Greece. Then there was the ODD party (Festival in São Paulo) where Dixon & Âme played B2B, and I was there when they played it... It was epic. After about 3 weeks I got an email from Innervisions saying they would like to sign it on the SW15. They played this track for 7 months, every weekend...I got a lot of videos and messages on social media from people all over the world, it was a very special moment. Big thanks to Steffen and Kristian, they changed the course of my career.
‘Nostalgia’ really blew my mind to be honest, what a track!
what exciting projects are you working on this year?
I am working on many songs. Producing tracks that are different from what I did before, but without losing my identity. Some collaborations are also in the making. I signed with a new booking agency called Havona, and I am dedicated to resuming my DJ career as it was in the past decade, in this case playing my tracks all around the world.
talking about tracks different from what you did before, without losing your identity - We think this transcribes perfectly in your track 'Fardo', coming on the next compilation on Equanimity. Could you tell us about the story behind this track, and what you used to produce it?'
True, you're right. I'm in constant evolution, music for me is a state of mind, I do it according to what I'm feeling at the specific moment I’m producing.
To create "Fardo" I used a 909 drum machine that I haven't used in my productions for a long time, a Korg stab, a sequencer (classic in my tracks), an emotive pad, and created a melody using the Arp 2600... The result is a 130 BPM track aimed at the sweaty dance floor.
And we can’t wait to release it!
Last but not least: how do you like your coffee?
With three small spoons of brown sugar, please.
interview by just lauren
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