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Kotelett is one half of Kotelett & Zadak, the idiosyncratic house duo who have clocked up releases on respected imprints including Kattermukke, Selador and Natura Viva. Recording solo for his latest single, Kotelett now returns to Poker Flat Recordings with his latest single I Don’t Know.
We’re excited to be speaking today with acclaimed musician – and one half of the idiosyncratic house duo known worldwide as Kotelett & Zadak – Kotelett; greetings and salutatio Before we dive into the proverbial Q&A mosh-pit, how goes your 2023 thus far?
The year is off to a good start. It’s been a bit more calm and less stressful than the end of last year. However, I’ve been working on several different music projects, which has been a bit overwhelming.
Major congratulations on the brand-new release of your solo EP I Don’t Know! What was the genesis of this particular EP, how did it come into being?
I started with a little jam just for fun and was playing around with some 90s vocal samples. Initially, it was a bit ironic because the samples were a bit cheesy, but I ended up liking them a lot, haha.
The I Don’t Know EP features an Audiojack remix and an instrumental version of the releases flagship tune, I Don’t Know! Can you break down for readers what the differences are from one version to the next?
I made an extra instrumental version because many DJs prefer tracks without vocals, especially when playing deeper sets. This way, they have the option to play the track without the vocal if they prefer. The Audiojack remix brings it to a perfect peak in a different way, I’m really happy about their work.
In your humble opinion, what differentiates I Don’t Know from the Distinguished Competition on the 2023 music scene?
I don’t really think about competition when I’m making music. I just follow my intuition and make what feels interesting to me at the moment. Others can have their own opinions about how my music compares to others.
How is I Don’t Know similar to some of your past music? How is it different?
For me, ‘I Don’t Know’ represents a return to my roots in house music. While I’ve explored various styles and genres with Kotelett&Zadak, this release feels like a homecoming of sorts. So in that sense, it’s a bit similar to my earliest work. At the same time, I’ve developed my skills and techniques over the years, so there are some differences as well. For example, I’ve incorporated some 90s vocal samples in a playful and ironic way, which is something I might not have done in the past. Overall, I see it as a progression and evolution of my sound, but still grounded in the house music that I love.
On the heels of the release of the I Don’t Know EP, can fans look forward to a solo LP from you before the end of 2023?
I think a solo LP is something for the next year, but more EP´s will follow this year. I also started an electronic project Almost Falling with a singer, there will be an album this year after some pre-singles on Stil vor Talent.
The new EP is released via Poker Flat Recordings. What makes Poker Flat the perfect home for you as a solo artist?
Poker Flat is one of the most stable institutions in our music scene. I’m a big fan since the beginning of the label, and I remember releases like Hakan Libdo’s “Televinken” or the early Steve Bug’s “Loverboy,” of course. The quality level of the releases is always high, and Steve Bug’s music taste is brilliant, which makes Poker Flat the perfect home for me as a solo artist.
Can fans of Kotelett & Zadak expect to see a new release from the two of you even as I Don’t Know is riding high on the charts?
We’re friends, but we’re not currently working together in the studio, so I don’t anticipate anything in the near future. However, you never know what might happen in the future.
Who inspires you musically?
Everything, everywhere, all at once. I don’t want to drop names here, cause mostly it’s not one person in general, more little bits from the on or another in different ways. Technically there are a few ones like Trikk or Rude Hagelstein who are impressing me, but for inspiration it’s more complex
At the end of the day, what do you hope listeners walk away with after giving I Don’t Know copious spins on their respective turn-tables?
I wish with a positive feeling, celebrating life even with these terrible things that happen on our planet, and not taking themselves too seriously.
