He bridges commercial pop and traditional EDM. Kevin Courtois is a DJ/Producer from France, who produces unique dance tracks and manages to deliver world-class dance records in various labels, such as Capitol Records, WePlay Music, UP-rise Music, and Kontor Records.
Paris-native and rising dance music sensation provides the signature tone that fans have begun to seek from him since the inception of his ever-evolving musical career. Read our Kevin Courtois exclusive interview about his first steps in the music industry, childhood dreams, favorite producers and new projects, including latest single “Uncertainty“.
V1. Congratulations on your singles this past year. What has the inspiration and process been like, creating new music?
Kevin Courtois: Every track has a different story. If I am lucky, I will have a great topline from which I create an instrumental. Usually I will send an instrumental to several singer-songwriters and pick my favorite topline. Listening to music everyday can get you lost in your own production, so bouncing my ideas off friends and my team helps.
V2. How has Paris and the electronic scene influenced your sound as an up and coming artist in France?
Kevin Courtois: Since Paris (and Europe in general) is such a melting pot of different cultures, it was more of a gateway to many other genres of music. Unlike here in LA, where clubs strictly play hip-hop, in France I was expected to bridge many cultural divides with my set. I became good at reading crowds and knowing when to play a reggaetón or Arabic track to get the party started. This definitely influenced my production and the sounds I chose to work with.
V3. Before you knew you wanted to become a producer, what was your childhood dream job? When and how did you first realize you wanted to make music?
Kevin Courtois: My dad was in the music industry, and I always wanted to do the same thing no matter what. Initially, I wanted to be singer… I remember as a kid I was glued to my Walkman. I would play music while walking, talking, biking, eating and sometimes sleeping. Not much has changed now other than I use my phone.
V4. Do you have a dream collaboration? Dream tour locations?
Kevin Courtois: I do not have a dream collaboration in mind. I consider myself to be a genre-blender, so I would love to feature an artist from a different musical discipline. It has been amazing to watch the reggaetón music scene grow mainstream and metamorphize with other influences. That would be a project I am open to.
V5. How do you discover new music? Do you have anyone you can't stop listening to right now?
Kevin Courtois: spotify is a great tool—but seriously. The custom playlists help you find up-coming Artists. Right now I am listening to a variety of artists, but one I was listening to today is Mr. Probz.
V6. What's in store for the next year?
Kevin Courtois: I have a lot of projects coming up I'm very excited to share. I have released a song with Lexy Panterra titled “Uncertainty” and another with Ray Dalton from the song (Can't hold us by Macklemore). Recently, I released a remix of Rebecca and Fiona ‘Need You' and I have another remix in the works for Conor Matthews's single ‘Tuxedo Camouflage'. Can't wait to share these projects with everyone!
“My dad was in the music industry, and I always wanted to do the same thing no matter what. Initially, I wanted to be singer.”
