We caught up with young Australian electronic-pop duo Kllo

“Holding our debut album Blackwater we remember the struggles we had as a band, but also the achievements and growth that we’ve made in the process.”

The young Australian electronic-pop duo Chloe Kaul and Simon Lam aka Kllo are ready for their debut album release in October while continuing their busy schedule of their world tour until the beginning of next year. Nevertheless they took some time to tell us their thoughts on feeling stagnant in a progressive environment, about their role models and what our generation will be remembered for. And while reading what they have to say, also enjoy the stunning video and track “Downfall”, taken out of their new album and directed by Freya Esders.

You started making music together as a family band and the two of you continued. Many people start like that, not many continue. What was the biggest reason that made you continue? Big ambition? An inner drive that you need to make music? Or what else?

Definitely both of those things, but also our love of making music. It’s something we both really enjoy doing and have been lucky enough to travel the world doing. We feel there’s so much more we’d like to say with our music, so there’s still a long way ahead of us. *

What does your first album mean to you? Describe the feeling you have when holding it in your hands…

The first album was the most difficult hurdle for us, as we hadn’t made much music before this. We really wanted to show a more refined us. After completing it, just the two of us, we were really proud of what we’d accomplished. Holding it we remember the struggles we had as a band, but also the achievements and growth that we’ve made in the process.

Is there an overall theme in your album or each song stands by itself with a different topic?

A lot of the songs are about experiences we had on tour. A lot of being homesick and feeling stagnant in a progressing environment.

The track „Downfall“ was written in Croatia, last stop of your tour whilst finishing your album. You said it´s about this challenge you had to face, that „things were progressing but we felt very stagnant when it came to our personal lives.“ What were the things in specific where you had to lower your side that you found very difficult?

Anything else we had planned in our lives. Our relationships, our other interests, other work. We had put our comfortable lives at rest to focus on Kllo. We never expected to be touring with the band, so it was a shock to
our system.

“A lot of the songs are about experiences we had on tour. A lot of being homesick and feeling stagnant in a progressing environment.”

Chloe, I read that initially you were quite shy with performing – do you still have a sort of stage freight now and if so, what´s your secret to face and deal with it?

I do, I think I always will but I’ve learnt to cope with those nerves and use them instead of letting them cloud over me. It just came with practise and maturity as well as taking the time to get my breathe together, breathe is everything.

You both have a cute styling. Very laid back yet there is always something special about it. How important is fashion to you?

Most important is comfort for us, but fashion is definitely another great way of expressing how you’re feeling on a day.

Who are your role models in music and in your personal life?

Yukimi Nagano, Kelela, Four Tet, Caribou.

What will our generation be remembered for?

Being technologically driven and the most progressive generation to date.

Could you imagine to live anywhere in the future other than Australia/ Melbourne? *Or is this where your heart is?

Definitely. I hope to move to the States or London if the opportunity came about. It wouldn’t make sense just yet as all the people I make music with live in Australia.