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DJ Mag Top100 DJs
83
KAAZE
| NEW ENTRY

From: Sweden

Rising star DJ/producer of 2021: “BLK RSE.”
 

KAAZE – also known as Mick Kastenholt – is a Swedish DJ, producer and songwriter, who has been carving out his own place in the realm of progressive house. With ongoing support from some of the largest figures in the scene, his star-studded career is awash with dream-like collaborations and melodic anthems. 

It all began when an early demo he produced was picked up by none other than Tiësto. KAAZE joined the superstar at Summerburst Festival in 2012, before signing with Tiësto’s Red Light Management group in 2014. But it was his long-running collaboration with Hardwell that really swept him into the bright lights. KAAZE remixed his song ‘Echo’ and went on to release his own high-flying solo single, ‘Tell Me’, on Hardwell’s Revealed Recordings label in 2016.

Fast forward a few years, and his 2020 single ‘Sweet Mistake’ amassed eight million listens on Spotify, and he recently released the latest volume in his three-track EP series, ShowKaaze. He’s currently working on his second artist album.

 
How was your first gig back after lockdown? 

“It was a surreal feeling to be back on stage. I had so much new music that I couldn’t even fit it all into one set.”
 

How have the last 18 months changed how you view your work/life balance? 

“I have started to appreciate having a studio and a home, which I lost because of the pandemic. I had to make all my music on a laptop, in a tiny closet for nine months.”
 

What further steps should the industry take to combat climate change? 

“Festivals and clubs should get rid of single-use plastic.”
 

What’s the best bit of tech you’ve added to your studio or DJ setup this year? 

“My unreleased VST KAAZE plug-in.”

 
What’s the best album you’ve heard this year? 

“I’ve been rocking Dua Lipa's ‘Future Nostalgia’ all year!”