Blaze Orange and Kwal, fueled by a series of record releases, club gigs and late-night parties, are taking every opportunity to ride the wave of momentum cultivated in 2023. Hailing from the vibrant Chicago-Milwaukee corridor, an area rich in arts opportunities and home to a wide range of talent and venues showcasing electronic music, the duo is thriving. With their upward trajectory on several fronts, they have dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to their latest project.
His latest release, “Shake”, offers a classic, club-friendly house vibe, punctuated by well-placed vocal samples. The track effortlessly infuses a hypnotic groove, driven by a pulsing bassline, raw synths and high-energy arrangements. Signed to the rapidly expanding Pharaoh Phonix label, “Shake” proves to be another ready-made heater for dance floors around the world.
We had the opportunity to speak with them about the single and their work together. Check out the interview below!
For both artists: How has the Chicago-Milwaukee corridor influenced Blaze Orange and Kwal's music and career paths?
K: The two cities are so close that it is almost impossible for an overflow not to occur. Chicago has strong roots as the birthplace of house music. Milwaukee shares that same passion for house music so finding artists with similar tastes is not a complicated task. There is a lot of talent between these two cities.
B: Milwaukee has always seemed to admire Chicago for being the home of house music and the quality of the events and artists. I have great respect and admiration for those first artists who paved the way for House music. I think you'll hear more and more in my recent work some of the Chicago flavor that I put into my songs.
To both artists: Can you describe the process behind creating “Shake” and how you achieved its distinctive sound without resorting to overly complicated sound design?
K: Blaze Orange had a fantastic beat when they approached to collaborate. Once I heard his original idea, I knew I could add my own flavor to it without needing to recreate the wheel. It was one of the least stressful collaborations I've done in recent memory and I think that's what made it so special.
B: One night, I had an idea, the SHAKE vocal response was something I tried on a previous song and it didn't go very far. This time the track was done in one day and I was really into it. After I sent it to Kwal for feedback, he opted to move forward and it was a very easy collaboration. We were both able to add complementary drums and synths to the sound to keep the energy going and make it memorable.
Blaze Orange, what inspired the transition to your current persona at the end of 2021 and how has it impacted your musical direction?
B: I spent 15 years as an open format DJ and, frankly, I achieved almost everything I ever wanted. I had the pleasure of playing shows with artists like Green Velvet, Ardalan, Disco Fries, LA Riots and many others. However, until then I never took production seriously. Working hard over the summer, I was close to having leads that could be signed. I chose to change the name, stop all open format programs and go for the new personality of Blaze Orange. I just want to do shows where I can play some of my own songs and other tastes of house music that I enjoy. It's been fantastic so far. A lot of hard work in the studio, sending demos, promoting the songs and the shows. I've accomplished a lot lately, but I've always been striving to reach those next goals and improve my sound and my brand.
Kwal, who works in artist relations at Spybar, how has interacting with renowned tech house artists influenced your musical production and DJ style?
K: Contrary to popular belief, my biggest takeaway from working in AR is not what everyone thinks. 99% of these artists are incredibly kind and humble people. It keeps me in check and reminds me to be myself. Hearing top artists play so frequently also reminds me that we producers tend to overcomplicate our song-making process. Create a strong rhythm and keep it simple.
For both artists: How do you balance the demands of record releases, club performances and after-parties while maintaining your creative output?
K: As I grow as an artist, it slowly becomes a little hectic to keep up with everything “required” to be a music producer in 2024. One thing that keeps me grounded is having a schedule. Set aside time to complete tasks and do your best not to get distracted. Finally, don't forget to take time to be with your family, your partner, your pets, etc.
B: I'll be direct and say it's my experience and the fact that I've been sober for 8 years. I have placed great value on weekend morning study sessions being the most productive and creative. I don't drink at all, I go home and go to bed after almost every show so I can go back to my studio the next day. Striving to get musical work done during the work week can also be a challenge; However, discipline is everything. I turn down some shows or just a fun night out so I can work on music a little.
Blaze Orange, how has your collective of musicians contributed to the growth of the community and supported emerging artists?
B: I have worked with various groups for many years. There are always waves of sounds, genres and musical talents. Find the middle ground to respect those who came before you and also help new younger talent. I have participated in some sober events, fundraisers, and charity shows to raise awareness for various causes. Also on the production side, I started tutoring and helping aspiring producers learn about music production and the industry.
Kwal, since you began your journey in the music industry in 2013, what significant changes have you seen in the electronic music scene, particularly in Chicago?
K: Chicago is an extremely busy city when it comes to house music culture. One thing I can say for sure is that being able to make good music has never been enough to get you on stage. This city and its promoters/talent buyers really want your support, which makes a lot of sense. I neglected this for a long time and it affected my career from the beginning. Get involved and spread love as much as you can. That being said, I would say the biggest change has been in the number of developers in the city.
For both artists: How do you approach the creative process when collaborating on tracks and what roles do each of you play?
K: For me, I tend to accept collaborations from others only if I really feel like I can add value to the song. My strengths are writing bass lines and drums. I also tend to be picky and not want to rush to finish.
B: For me, working in a compatible DAW like Ableton is a huge help. I can be picky about sounds being genuine to what I like. This one with Kwal was very easy and organic and fits our styles. I should also mention that we met on a Discord server for producer CASHEW and found that Kwal was quite local to me. That was great, so thanks to CASHEW!
For both artists: With a clear vision for the coming year, what are some of the specific goals or projects you aim to accomplish?
K: My biggest goals for 2024 are to sign a deal with one of my top 5 labels and commit to playing a local festival like Arc (even if it's for 2025).
B: Increase my fan base, social networks and musical reach. The main goals for this year are to sign a song with a much bigger label than before. As well as a music festival for this year or next. Continuing to create my sound, my brand, and my workflow should help those things fall into place.
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