Although he’s only toured Australia once before, Ryan Raddon, better known as Kaskade, has proved to be a popular DJ for local audiences. Having released the hugely popular single ‘It’s You, It’s Me’, and accompanying debut album of the same name recently, Raddon will be returning down under in December for an extended holiday over Christmas and New Years, taking in a number of dates around the country. Sydney gets two bites of the apple, once at the Globe on December 20, and then again at the sold out Field Day on New Years Day. ITM’s i_have_ADD caught up quickly with the affable Raddon, cheery from an evening of interviews, “I’m in the mix, in the mood man, all prepped.”
Now based in the US house mecca of San Francisco, Raddon’s music pedigree is strong having grown up in Chicago, checking out guys like Mark Farina and Derrick Carter in the early days. After moving to Salt Lake City for College, Raddon set up the city’s only dedicated house night, the Manhattan Club. The party ran for 5 years, with Raddon taking the time to educate the 250 dedicated dancers week in, week out. The success of the Manhattan Club led to Kaskade being able to raise the capital to buy his own record store, Mechanized Records, which Raddon sold after 2 years but remains open to this day. Kaskade moved on to San Francisco, and after settling in the Bay Area began working for legendary house imprint Om Records. The rest, they say, is history, with Raddon going on to release his debut album, and a number accompanying high profile singles. I asked him how he felt the scene in San Francisco differed to Chicago, arguably the two main cities for house music in America, “They’re completely different really. I think comparing the old Chicago, from when I grew up and was living there, compared to now is very different. There’s not a lot happening, not a lot of activity for house. I think the San Francisco of now is a lot like the Chicago of old, like when I grew up.”
After finishing up full time work for Om Records late last year Raddon found time to focus on his production work, releasing his debut solo album ‘It’s You, It’s Me’ earlier this year. Having been a part of the US house scene now for some years, Raddon offers an interesting viewpoint on how times have changed for house music in the States, “Growing up in Chicago I assumed that house music was everywhere, then when I moved it became apparent that it wasn’t as popular in other cities. Now the US has about 10 magazines devoted entirely to the scene, you even hear dance music in the grocery store!” Although starting relatively small scale, interest in Kaskade’s music has extended well outside the boundaries of the US with Raddon having in the past played at house institutions such as Jay Hannan and Ben Watt’s club Lazy Dog, as well as touring throughout Europe, and even down to Australia, “I just think house music really agrees with the people in Australia. There’s not the same attitude as styles like trance or drum & bass, and the vibe of house just seems to agree more with the people and climate. I’m expecting a lot of stuff to come from Australia in the near future, the scene down there is so strong.”
On his upcoming tour Raddon is going to be a busy boy, taking in Melbourne on New Years Eve, and then Sydney and Perth on New Years Day, as well as a number of shows in other cities before and after. For those not familiar with his sound, Raddon’s description is surprisingly simply, “For the purists, I’d just say house music.” Going on to add, “I think It lies somewhere between club house and deep house, with some down tempo and harder jackin’ Chicago stuff thrown in.” So, whether you like it deep and soulful, funky, jackin’, or the excess of deviations in between, keep an eye out for Kaskade as it’s a name anyone serious about their house music can’t afford to miss.
If you’re in Sydney be sure to tune in to ‘inthemix on FBi’ this Saturday night, December 20th, as Kaskade will be appearing live to air for an interview and 1 hour guest DJ mix! Tune in between 8 and 10pm, FBi 94.5 FM.
You can catch Kaskade on his Christmas/New Years tour:
Sat 20 Dec – Syd: Fly @ Globe
Thu 25 Dec – Ade: Savvy
Fri 26 Dec – Can: Bling Bling @ Lot 33
Wed 31 Dec – Mel: Phreakin NYE South Wharf
Thu 1 Dec – Syd: Field Day 2004 (SOLD OUT)
Thu 1 Dec – Per: Sunshine People
San Francisco Sessions: Volume 4, mixed by Kaskade, is out now through Om Records/Stomp.
