Further developing her catalogue as a producer, which already includes appearances with labels such as ARTCORE Records, Rave Alert, and Nothing But – French artist La Kajofol debuts with Amelie Lens’ EXHALE.
Her new single ‘Black Rhapsody’ comes via the Belgian label’s VA005, a 14-track compilation that boasts inclusions from the likes of Farrago, Aaron Hibell, and Luciid.
We spoke to La Kajofol to talk about the release, how she approaches working with record labels, and what else she might have coming in the near future. Read the full interview below.
How are things in the life of La Kajofol right now?
Glad to meet the team and to answer these few questions for you! Today things are going pretty well, I have a lot of new projects incoming with major labels and artists, which will be decisive in the development of my career. It’s both very exciting and a little scary to go towards new things haha! I can’t wait to share this with people – very soon.
You just released your new track ‘Black Rhapsody’ on EXHALE – how would you describe the track to anyone who hasn’t heard it yet?
I compose a lot but I really like this track in particular. It’s rare that I keep a song in my sets for a long time, but this one has been my set intro for months because it always brings the same energy into the public, it really reflects my vision of techno and electronic music.
Indeed, I put a lot of musical influences in there: classical music (with this long orchestral intro), acoustic instruments (violon, etc.), my voice, and this mystical atmosphere, but also psytrance, or more a hard techno or rave sound. And that’s what I like in music: create diversity to bring musical richness, transcribed by a subtle mixture of style and genre. That’s what I’ve always liked to do with my music, and ‘Black Rhapsody’ is a very good example of this.
And it comes on their new 14-track VA album, what other tracks from the project are you listening to most?
To be completely honest, I don’t listen to a lot of techno at home. It’s quite paradoxical! I listen to a lot of classical music, jazz, bossa, rock, world music, reggae – anything that gives me a particular emotion. And I draw a lot of inspiration from all these influences, as much for my vocals as for my grooves, and atmospheres. Of course, I listened to the EXHALE VA however!
We’ve also seen you release music on ARTCORE Records, Rave Alert, and Nothing But in the past, what’s your typical process when it comes to signing music to a particular label?
Any artist who wants to develop their project sets goals for themselves, and I believe releasing songs on certain labels is part of it. It’s like being proud to be able to check a box on our artist to-do list haha! At the beginning I think everyone tries to release on as many labels as they can to gain visibility. And the more we advance, the more we “sort” these labels to keep only the most relevant ones to our sound and career goals, so as time goes on the fewer there are left on the list! As we gain experience, we resonate more in terms of quality than quantity. ARTCORE was a label I wanted to sign with, as well as EXHALE. As for now, I still have a few left on my to-do list.
And which other labels might we see you on in the near future?
Today there are very few labels left with whom I really want to work. I currently have projects in progress with Charlotte De Witte on her label KNTXT, which for me is the top techno label right now due to their quality of production and communication, their visibility but above all their honesty and professionalism. It’s very pleasant to work with them. In addition, I also have my own label NŸX Records since 2022, on which I release all my tracks.
You’re from France of course – what’s something you love about the French club scene?
Above all I love my country, its culture, its variety of landscapes, its food, its wine. It is a country which invites you to travel and discover, which I draw a lot of inspiration from it for the production of my music I also really love the French crowd when I’m on stage, they’re receptive, energetic, and smiling. I’ve always enjoyed making the time to go and meet people after my set because they’re very positive exchanges with fans, so I want to try and do this in many other countries and meet new people from all over the world.
And one thing non-music related thing people visiting the country should do?
Come to France, rent a van or buy a tent, and get on your bike. Go to the North, South, East, and West! Every corner of this beautiful country has something for you to discover. The best season is May-June or September-October for road tripping!
Anything else you want to mention before we go?
Always believe in your dreams and give yourself the means to achieve your goals. With work and passion, anyone can go very far. So we’ll meet soon on the dancefloor.
La Kajofol – Black Rhapsody is out now on EXHALE.