“Music is something I feel sometimes you need to get out, as it relates to a certain mood or period of your life. It’s not always relevant if it comes out 6-12 months later,” says Kino Todo, the multi-faceted electronic artist who will be releasing his 11-track debut album, ‘Chances’ soon. With music acting as a soundtrack to life, capturing the feelings of the here and now, Kino Todo’s creations are as much about the current moment as they are about the timeless nature of good music.
Born and bred in Tel Aviv, a city vibrant with cultural fusion and rich traditions, Kino Todo draws inspiration from his surroundings, weaving influences of the East and West into his distinctive sound. This metropolis, as vibrant as his music, provides a fertile ground for his sound experiments, lending his tracks an authentic and intriguing feel. “I’ve always been drawn to new languages and sounds. I want to make melodies I’ve never heard before.”
Inherently casual, yet refreshingly trendy, his music navigates a sonic spectrum that’s both eclectic and unique, as seen in his funky track “How You Feel” featuring Reo Cragun. This atmospheric piece, straight off the upcoming album, premieres today!
Kino defining success as “being happy with where you are, and keep getting happiness and joy from what you’re doing.” A feeling that clearly resonates throughout the interview ahead, where he speaks about his creative process, the influences behind ‘Chances‘, and his favorite traditional dish.
photography by Shalev Ariel
Your upcoming album ‘Chances’ is being released on your own label, Pop Tomorrow. What led you to the decision of starting your own label?
I didn’t want to depend on other labels and their schedules, which are often very delayed, to be able to release my music. You make a track and sometimes it can be such a long time afterward that it’s finally published. Music is something I feel sometimes you need to get out, as it relates to a certain mood or period of your life. It’s not always relevant if it comes out 6-12 months later. Not only does having your own label give you freedom, but it also gives me the opportunity to release music that I love.
You’ve collaborated with Reo Cragun on your single ‘How You Feel’. What binds you two together?
I have loved his work for a long time and I reached out to him about doing a collaboration. We had a good connection when working together, even though we were a long way from one another, it seemed to flow very naturally. He is based in Los Angeles and I am in Tel Aviv, so the time difference is also something extra to consider!
“The moment the album sees the light, I will celebrate by starting to work on the next one.”
‘Chances’ features a lot more wonderful collaborations. Can you share a special experience or story from working with one of the different artists?
I had a gig booked at Floyd Club in Miami, and Milushka was playing the venue too that night. We got to know each other and ended up having a fun night. The next time we met up in New York a few months later, we stayed in touch and planned to rent out a studio together when we were both in town. This is where we worked on the ‘2004’ single that was just released from my album. It was a unique and special experience, as I am used to working by myself in the studio in Tel Aviv and it had a really good impact on my workflow, learning new things from another talented artist.
A debut album release is a truly special occasion. How do you plan to spend this day?
I have been working on this album for so long, and I’m now ready for the next project. The moment the album sees the light, I will celebrate by starting to work on the next one.
If you could go back in time and give one piece of advice to yourself at the start of this debut project, what would it be?
Be patient. (smiles)
“There is no shame in doing what’s trendy if you still feel that you can express yourself through it.”
Your music has a unique ‘East Meets West’ vibe. How has living in Tel-Aviv, a city with such a rich mix of cultures and traditions, influenced your sound?
I love Tel Aviv. It’s a very interesting and fun city to live in. Of course, there are influences from here at home, but because I travel a lot, I like to take inspiration from each place I go.
You are known for not following trends. What advice do you have for other artists who feel the pressure to conform to current musical trends?
The music scene changes all the time. There is no shame in doing what’s trendy if you still feel that you can express yourself through it. I just do what is interesting to me, and whatever it is that gets me excited in the studio. It can be one thing today, and another thing tomorrow, as I said, it’s very dynamic.
How do you define success?
Success is when you’re happy with where you are, and keep getting happiness and joy from what you’re doing.
“Success is when you’re happy with where you are, and keep getting happiness and joy from what you’re doing.”
I know you wanted to make music from a very young age. However, if you weren’t a musician, what do you think you would be doing?
Actually, I can’t really imagine doing something else.
Given my own love for food and the variety of tastes I’ve experienced through my collection of cookbooks from Tel Aviv, I’m curious, what’s your favorite traditional dish?
All the food in Tel Aviv is high-end, but I like home cooking. My dad is Moroccan so my family makes the best food. If I had to choose, it would be fish in spicy tomato sauce with couscous.
When you’re not at the DJ booth or dancefloor on the weekend, where do you prefer to be? Is there a particular place or activity that fuels your creativity?
Once in a while, when I’m not working, my favorite place is home, and I like to chill with my friends.
The most important thing in life is?
Be Happy
Thank you so much for your time!
Follow Kino Todo for more:
www.instagram.com/kino_todo
soundcloud.com/kino_todo
