Get to know: Kevin de Vries

Kevin de Vries is a Berlin-based producer who’s recently caught our attention with pumping releases on Drumcode, Odd Recordings and lots more credible platforms over the last few years. Since earning support from the likes of Adam Beyer and Tale of Us, De Vries' upward trajectory has been one which includes a significantly busier touring schedule in the last 18 months and certainly isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. 

 As a charismatic and down to earth character, we’re certain 2018 is going to reap rewards for the producer, particularly after the recent release of his melodic ‘Magoa’ creation on Afterlife Records. Delighted to welcome him to Familia’s booking agenda, we caught up with De Vries ahead of the show on 11th August with Gary Beck and Wehbba… 

In 2015 you were producing techno with a trance-tinged aesthetic; ‘A Journey Through Life’ [Complex Recordings] is a good example. Do you still find yourself drawn to this genre? 

It was my second EP back then and I was very happy about the chance to release on Drumcomplex’s label Complexed. 

I was producing for 1.5 years and still discovering my own sound. I don’t like to get drawn to only one genre and I think it is very important to be able to do whatever you feel like. My latest productions were a bit different, slightly softer I would say. But you can still hear some trance elements, especially the lead sounds. Trance had always a big influence on me and I think this will always be in my signature. 

You recently posted your summer schedule on Facebook, it’s packed! How do you look after your- self on the road? 

Thank you! Yes, I am really excited about all those shows. Since last year my best friend stepped in as my tour manager and this was the best thing which could ever happen to me. He really pushed me into a healthier lifestyle. We try to eat clean, do some workouts and sleep before the shows which are really important as we have to work during the night. 

How’s the residency at Tama going? There seems to be a good dance music community in Poland. 

We kicked things off in May this year and Weska was my first guest. It was an amazing night and morning. I felt already in love with the Polish crowd and club TAMA from the first time I played there. My mother was born and raised in Poland so my connection to the country is very strong. Arek and Joana, the owners of the club, are doing an amazing job and I’m really happy about how things have worked out with them. The second edition will be in November with a guest I’m not allowed to announce yet - but I can say that it’s one of my favourite artists! 

Back in April, you shared a video about how to deal with rejection when labels aren’t interested in signing your tracks - something which a lot of young producers can relate to in today’s soundscape. What advice would you give to a producer who’s on the cusp of becoming ‘the next big thing’ once a track gets signed to a huge label? 

I tried to put as much advice as I could give in that video. Of course - when your track is signed on a bigger label, there is still a lot of work to do for an artist as well. I always try to promote the release as much as possible. For example, I email all my colleagues closer to the release date with a personal message and the tracks inside. This is way more personal instead of sending a mass-email out with standard text. 

It’s also very important to get feedback from my friends and artists I look up to. Together with the label, you should also consider hiring a PR company for the release, this can be really helpful as they create a plan for you which can include premiers, interviews or other features to get attention. 

Coming up to the Familia show on August 11th with Gary Beck and Wehbba, tell us what you enjoy about playing for a London based crowd? 

I’m so much looking forward to coming back to London and play for you guys. I really can’t wait to be back in London! 

Leave us with us three tracks you’re itching to play on the night? 

I love to play a lot of unreleased stuff, so it’s hard to answer this with specific tracks right now but expect to hear some secret tracks from my upcoming EP on Cocoon Recordings, Konstantin Sibold and a hit by my dear friends Chris Hirose & Clint Stewart. Thank you so much for the interview and see you at EGG!