An interview taken from our new digital issue. Born in Granada and now based in Berlin, Kid Simius defies genre boundaries, embracing a fusion of styles. From electronic to Italo, House to Balearic, and Disco, he prioritises positive energy and human connection over genre labels.
With successful releases on labels like Permanent Vacation, Running Back, and Studio Barnhus, as well as his label ‘Jirafa Records’, Kid Simius is renowned for his versatility. He’s graced legendary stages at festivals like Melt!, Tomorrowland, and Fusion, supporting artists such as WhoMadeWho and Bonobo.
It seems the “younger generation” doesn’t listen to albums any more. Does that affect you in any way when working on one?
There are still some young people who are going to enjoy an album, I think. There was also a time in history in the ’50s when musicians were releasing singles only. And then, they started releasing long players again. It’s romantic, but I think that if you make things with love, someone is going to appreciate it. I mainly listen to singles, solo tracks, or just a snippet. But I believe there are still kids out there who want to listen to a record from the beginning to the end. The art comes first, and then the audience. I just want to make a record, no matter how many people listen to it.
I feel the gap between the audience and the artist has become much smaller, which means it’s easier to receive feedback. Does this feedback have any effect on your creative vision?
It would be nice not to listen to this feedback. I would love to come to my studio with a completely free mind. When I make music, I try to forget about this because if you make one track everyone loves, you then try to make a second one that sounds similar to get the same reactions. Therefore,
I try to go against it and create something completely different.
How do you clear your mind?
I’ve got this book, “The Artist’s Way”. It’s supposed to help you get creative in the form of a plan. One of the things it has taught me is triggering my creativity by writing the morning pages. You have to write three pages every day without thinking.
Those pages you never have to read again, which means you can write any kind of nonsense and free your brain. We are creators, but we are also judgmental of what we’re doing, which hinders creativity.
Do you see a change in your approach and output since you started following the book’s plans?
A lot. There is a wall between what you think and what you do, which is crucial for the survival of us as humans. But when you’re being creative, it shouldn’t be like that.
A disgusting analogy for this is throwing up. As a creative, you throw up everything, have a look and then pick out the best pieces. There is one problem, though. If you’re in the studio, for example, and you feel like throwing up, your instinct is obviously to go to the toilet or get a towel to get cleaned up. But instead, you need to let yourself go and just keep going. When you’re not thinking about everything, your creativity is finally free, and you’re in the zone to create and produce something special.
Read the full interview here:
Photography by Linda Ambrosius
www.lindaambrosius.com @lindaambrosius
Talent is Kid Simius @kidsimius
Styling by Anastasia Scheel @anastasia.she
Make up by Kristin Røs www.kristinroes.com @kristinroes
Creative Producer: Chris Berndt greensubmarine.com
The Head of Video Production is David Fürst
Videography by I am Johannes
www.iamjohannes.com @i.am.johannes
Making Of Photography: Marina Balboa @marina__balboa
