INTERVIEW: Kidnap Kid

Its been an compelling year for Kidnap Kid. Since the release of the AlphavilleEP, the Sheffield-born producer and DJ has done his bit in helping the reemergence of Garage and House music. With numerous remixes coming out, an up and coming tour with Black Butter Records and a forthcoming EP in the new year, its hard not to get excited about what Kidnap Kid is bringing to the modern dance scene. But Kidnap Kid AKA Matt Relton tells The Mancunion that the origins of his productions are found deep in club musics history.

I guess it all came from 90s Garage, that was the start of the movement. Its since merged with early 2000s R&B and thats merged with the House resurgence and formed its own poppy-thing, its tricky to trace. Indeed, the influences of Garage and R&B underpin a lot of Reltons work, as 4×4 rhythm meets vocal samples. Whilst many will argue that these sounds have existed for decades, this new generation of producers, which includes the likes of Karma Kid, Disclosure and of course Kidnap Kid himself, are taking this formula and proving that it can be successful in a commercial environment. Notably, Disclosure are currently eleventh in the charts, but Relton does not see this musical era continuing in the future: Its changed so much in the last two years, in a years time it wont sound the same at all. I think everything is going to go its separate ways, I dont think it will last. Some people will go further into House and other people will go into different places, its gonna move quite quickly. At the minute Im listening to stuff thats a bit slower, more Funky Bassline kind of thing.

Hailing from Sheffield, a city of rich club music heritage, Relton admits this must have had some influence on his style: Its the obvious answer because the Bassline scene the classic Sheffield Dance movement is quite big really. But at the time I wasnt actually into it that much. Its fair to say that Kidnap Kid was indeed just a kid back in the days of Niche nightclub, but today he hopes that his music will give off a better vibe than that popularly associated with Bassline culture: My music is pretty happy, pretty loved up. My message would be of spreading the love, an overall positive message. Just try and spread some happiness. Isnt that lovely? It is. And that is the overwhelming feeling Kidnap Kids music gives off. It sure wont spark off many dancefloor brawls, that much is certain.

In terms of production quality, Reltons sound is second to none. But Relton admits hes not sure of what it takes for a track to be finished: I cant really put my finger on it to be honest. It usually takes a long time, but I just kind of know. I rarely send anything out, I dont even make a large amount of music. I just spend a long time on one thing and its finished when I can listen to it completely without finding any faults.

In the ever changing musical sphere, it is essential for any artist to stay fresh and with Kidnap Kids latest remix for Naughty Boy feat Emeli Sande now a month old, Relton assures that new music is not far away: At the minute Im just writing my next EP that should be out very early next year. Its been quite a long process, working with vocalists, which is new territory. However, aside from a prosperous solo career, Relton concedes that he has also been working on other projects: Ive been doing a lot of background production, but I cant really say what (laughs). Well I dunno, Ive just done a single with a girl called Loulou James which seems to be doing quite well, but other than that its more background stuff because Im trying to hide my name a little bit. Respectably so, it would appear that fame is not always not a priority of every young musician, and this certainly fits with the effortlessly humble nature that Relton and his music gives off.

Kidnap Kid will play on 22nd November at Hi Ku @ Joshua Brooks alongside Drop/Dead. Tickets are £2 early bird. 11:00pm til 4:00am (last entry 1:30am). https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Manchester/Joshua-Brooks/Hi-Ku-presents-Kidnap-KidDropDead/11749998/

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