Coldharbour Recordings are proud to present the first compilation from EDM young gun and Schulz Music Group wunderkind, KhoMha. Since bursting onto the scene just 18 months back, the Columbian sound-slinger has seen his productions ignite the playlists of DJs as diverse as Armin, Axwell, Eric Prydz and Above & Beyond. The protιgι of the Coldharbour master himself, Markus Schulz, KhoMha is now set to make his first strike on your mix-comp collection. Featuring audio from heavy-hitters like Schulz & Corsten, Arty, Nadia Ali & BT, W&W, Orjan Nilsen and Omnia, alongside a mass of KhoMha’s own sonic flavour, Coldharbour Recordings opens a new music compilation chapter.
Having scooped the Coldharbour Artist of the Year citation in late 2011, twelve faultless months of gripping DJ sets and much-praised productions on, KhoMha broke into the top 20 of TranceAddict.com’s annual, influential trance tastemaker 250. Having become a buzz name producer for a broad musical range of DJs, over 84 minutes KhoMha showcases the sound-set that’s seen him rise so far, so fast.
The mix overtures with the moving Intro version of KhoMha’s own ‘The Origin’. Its pianos and long drawn strings set the scene and induce the atmosphere - the proverbial calm before the (sound) storm.
Breaking the tranquillity comes a big one-two from Arnej with the highwire-tense synths of ‘People Want To Be Needed’ and the ballistic drums of ‘The Second Coming’. Packed between them is the collected production pedigree of Arty, Nadia Ali & BT’s ‘Must Be The Love’, all of which sees the mix’s rubber fully hit the road.
Throughout its runtime, KhoMha intermixes plenty of his own propulsive, compelling production brand. Up from the shadowy depths rise the dystopian technoid thrills of ‘Vapor’ and recent club hit ‘The Dark Knight’, interplaying with fresh-off-the-desk, compilation-exclusive material like the super-charged ‘Genesis’ and the spellbinding ‘Dusk Riddles’.
As the mix arrives at the midsection KhoMha squeezes down further on the power pedal. Inducing a sudden rush of blood to the head, the pugnacious beats of ‘Burana’ and ‘Copperfield’ (the latest deuce of floor weapons from Orjan Nilsen) mix with the luminous harmonics of Omnia’s ‘Infina’. Hot on their heels are Protoculture’s neuron-homing ‘Perpetual Motion’ and the warping, distorted electric thrash of W&W’s sensational ‘Moscow’.
‘Coldharbour Presents: KhoMha’ holds back some of its biggest for its climax. The pitch-bent synths and floor riding rhythms of Markus Schulz & Ferry Corsten’s Beatport chart-busting ‘Loops N Tings’ and Fisherman & Hawkins much anticipated ‘Apache’ see it arrive at the summit.
Through KhoMha’s first mix he emphasizes that the only script he spins from is one of floor-quaking, heat-seeking, heart-of-the-dance floor club killers. Judiciously compiled, skilfully mixed and perfectly encapsulating his in-club DJ experience.
The release of this great compilation was a great opportunity to request an interview with the talented Colombian producer, and we are glad when he accepted. You can read his very cool answers while you check out his thunderous DJ mix. Enjoy..
Interview was written and conducted by Dimitri Kechagias, Radio/DJ/Music Journalist
Dimitri: Firstly, it would be great to go back in time and tell us if you come from a family that has any connection with arts and particularly music? Was your family supportive of your decision to get into the competitive and ruthless world of the EDM industry?
KhoMha: Well, my family isn't involved in music, but they love Latin music and my sound as well. They were really important in the music inception. And yes, they are supporting me a lot in my career. They are really proud of me.
Dimitri: Is it possible to pick the Top 5 artists/DJ’s that have inspired and influence your music production and DJ’ing style for us?
KhoMha: Daft Punk, Chemical Brothers, Tiesto, Deadmau5 and Steve Angello.
Dimitri: From your back catalogue of great productions and remixes, is it possible to pick out your all time personal Top 5, and give a short comment about each?
KhoMha:
1.The Dark Knight - All about Big Room stuff
2.Mind Gamer - A very unique piece, Blowing Minds.
3.507 - Sweet Melody + Hard Beats
4.Days Gone Bye - Pure Feeling
5.Triotonic - Collab with my idol Markus Schulz.
Dimitri: Have you attended any music school or workshops to learn how to produce EDM or you are 100% self-taught?
KhoMha: I learned a lot of it by myself, but I also learnt some techniques when I was studying sound engineering. It was there that I became more professional in my tracks.
Dimitri: Do you currently have another daytime job as well, or are you 100% a music producer and DJ and make a leaving out of it?
KhoMha: Well, I do music full-time. I'm not only an Electronic music producer, I also do audio for TV, radio commercials, and I was a teacher at a music school too. I also made some music for short films.
Dimitri: You are closely associated with Markus Schulz, his label Coldharbour recordings and his agency Schulz Music Group. Is it possible to tell which one of your tracks was the one that attracted Markus attention, and how did you feel when he asked you to sign your first track to his label?
KhoMha: The first track that I sent to Coldharbour was “Rainy in the Night”, and Markus loved it. From that point, any track that I sent him, he would play, which was fantastic. Then he asked me if I was interested in working with him and ever since my career changed.
Dimitri: You are responsible for the first Coldharbour recordings mix compilation which was not mixed by Markus. Can you let us know how long it took you to select the tracks and if it was an easy or a difficult task? What kind of criteria did you have in mind when you chose the tracks for the album?
KhoMha: I really wanted to be sure of choosing tracks that can describe my set style and taste in music. There you will find things from deep tracks at the beginning of my set to really powerful tracks finishing the mix.
Dimitri: Is it possible to give us a short comment about each personal track that you have included in this compilation
KhoMha:
1. KhoMha - The Origin: The atmosphere, the very first start.
4. KhoMha - Genesis: Deep and Sweet melody, a great trip.
10. Markus Schulz with Elevation & KhoMha - Triotonic: Everything is powerful in this one, a mix between Unicorn Slayer and KhoMha Style
12. KhoMha - Dusk Riddles: The new secret dance floor killer weapon with a huge bassline.
15. KhoMha - The Dark Knight: Simply, The Anthem
16. KhoMha - Vapor: Another powerful piece, big room stuff.
Dimitri: Can you pick out from the compilation the absolute highlight track that you believe characterises the atmosphere of the whole compilation?
KhoMha: Maybe my new track "Dusk Riddles". This track is a mix between power, deep and big room stuff. So, that's why I think it's the dance floor winner.
Dimitri: Did you mix this great compilation live or with the aid of computer software? Is it a straightforward mixing of the tracks or have you done new special edits where you have added extra effects?
KhoMha: I made the mix in Ableton Live, which is a great tool. I added some effects in some parts to make some transitions more dynamic, and I did some edits as well to keep growing the atmosphere.
Dimitri: Do you believe that this compilation will attract more exposure for you and will help you to get more DJ bookings?
KhoMha: All I can hope for from this is that its a great beginning to what I hope will be a long career in producing and performing. I hope the people listening to it like what they hear and come and see me when I perform live.
Dimitri: Would you like to pick out your best DJ set so far? In which club and country have you met the most expressive and up for it crowd?
KhoMha: Well, that's a difficult question, but I’ll tell you my Top 5 of my favourite gigs in no special order:
1.Avalon - Los Angeles
2.Tipsport Arena - Prague
3.Best Buy Theater - New York City
4.Cocoon Club - Frankfurt, Germany
5.Mandarine - Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Dimitri: One of my favourite questions to all the DJ’s is that one about self-reflection and self-criticism. Out of 10 with what score do you rate the various elements of your DJ performances and why?
KhoMha:
a) Your mixing skills: 10/10, well I think I know how to make a good transition in my sets.
a) Your mixing skills: 10/10, well I think I know how to make a good transition in my sets.
b) Your ability to choose the right track for the right occasion: 9/10. To be honest with you, sometimes its difficult choosing tracks live, because you're playing to different crowds all the time, so you have to be sure of what you are playing.
c) Your friendly attitude towards the fans that come to shake your hand when you perform and after that: 20/10 hehe. I think I'm a very humble and simple person, I'm very friendly with everyone, and I appreciate so much when the people come over to me, to shake my hand, take a picture or just tell me some words. That means you did a good job.
Dimitri: You come from Columbia. Is it possible to tell us how the EDM scene is at the moment in your country? Do you have many good clubs and great events that allow the space for young talent to come up?
KhoMha: The EDM scene is in a growth process right now, it is getting bigger. There are some clubs, maybe not the biggest ones, but there is room for new talent to show their skills.
Dimitri: You have sent out many demos in your career to various record labels. Can you give some advice to young artists as to how they should send out their demos to the record labels in order to attract some attention?
KhoMha: Keep trying! don't give up. Keep working on your sound make it unique, fresh and professional.
Dimitri: Are you an active and passionate user of Facebook/Twitter and other social networks? Do you spend a lot of time interacting with your fans and do you see this as vital, or as a waste of your time?
KhoMha: Right now everyone has at least one of those accounts. So its a great tool to show and promote your music to the world. And yes, I spend time answering questions from my fans, most of all on Twitter.
Dimitri: What tracks and remixes should we expect from you in the near future?
KhoMha: This month the awaited Vapor E.P is coming out on December 17th, Including my new tracks: "Vapor", "Dusk Riddles", "Genesis" and the Beautiful "Deja vu"
Dimitri: Lets finish off with your 2012 ‘Best Of’ selection:
KhoMha:
a) Best Track: Porter Robinson - Language
a) Best Track: Porter Robinson - Language
b) Best Remix: Ivan Gough & Feenixpawl ft. Georgi Kay - In My Mind (Axwell Mix)
c) Best EDM album: Markus Schulz - Scream
d) Best EDM compilation: Markus Schulz - L.A 12
e) Best producer: Orjan Nilsen
f) Best remixer: Axwell
h) Best EDM music video of the year: Professional Griefers - Deadmau5
Dimitri: Many thanks for taking the time to reply to this interview
KhoMha: Thank you very much for your support.
1.KhoMha - The Origin
2.Arnej - People Want To Be Needed
3.Arty, Nadia Ali & BT - Must Be The Love)
4.KhoMha - Genesis
5.Arnej - The Second Coming
6.Orjan Nilsen - Burana
7.Protoculture - Perpetual Motion
8.Omnia - Infina
9.Yura Moonlight - Harrier
10.Markus Schulz with Elevation & KhoMha - Triotonic
11.W&W - Moscow
12.KhoMha - Dusk Riddles
13.Orjan Nilsen - Copperfield
14.Rick Mitchells - Sub Zero
15.KhoMha - The Dark Knight
16.KhoMha - Vapor
17.Fisherman & Hawkins - Apache
18.Markus Schulz vs Ferry Corsten - Loops & Tings
19.KhoMha - Coldharbour presents KhoMha (Full Continuous DJ Mix)
Many thanks to Carmen van der Werf at Armada Music press office for organising this great interview
Many thanks to Tjerk Coers at Armada Music for his great support
Many thanks to Paul at 1mix radio for proofing the final version of this interview
You can read this interview on 1mix radio web site, click here
You can read this interview on 1mix radio web site, click here
Additional info:
You can purchase this great compilation from here: