A Few Words about Why Kaskade's Redux Deserves to be Its Own Genre
April 13, 2014
Kaskade is heading out on the road for a second series of his popular Redux show that he launched last year to commemorate the tenth anniversary of his 2003 LP It's You, It's Me. Given the unique sound and success of Redux, it may be time to formally establish Redux as its own genre. Think of it a new sub-genre of house that mashes breezy chill-out and potent deep house with a hefty dose of melody.
Purists will likely argue that Kaskade's distinct brand of house music doesn't equal a genre, but that's not the point. I'm arguing that given his passion and pursuit of high-quality house music ever since the start of his career, Kaskade is deserving of the honor of having a genre named after his musical style. Whatever your take on it is, we can all agree that he most certainly has carved out his own unique niche and Redux is a perfect label for it.
Redux has a special meaning for the DJ/ producer given the 10 year anniversary of his breakthrough album. "The inspiration for Redux was simplicity," he writes on his website. "My intention: to play small clubs, and for all who participated to be taken back a decade, when it was all about the music. When the term 'House Music' meant something pure. I wanted to touch base with my foundation, and do it in a way that was intimate."
Like I've said before, what truly strikes me about Kaskade is that in a world that is getting saturated with commercial, run of the mill house music, he has been able to stay true to his own sound. Deeply influenced by the West Coast house sound of the late '90s, the Chicago-born DJ, producer and songwriter carved out his own unique niche by combining lush house grooves with acoustic instrumentation. Most notably on "It's You, It's Me" that truly launched his career as a musical artist.
Kaskade will play new Redux this month and next in cities small and large. In conjunction with the 2014 Redux shows, the DJ will also release a vinyl Redux EP that features some brand-new tracks including his new single "Please Say You Will" featuring Adam Klopp that he unleashed late last week.
He writes on a special website a little bit more about his intent for Redux. "Redux has graduated from being an intention to describing a revolution where our coup d’état is a reversal of time. Redux is an observance of massive sound but restrained lights, married with hedonic amounts of deep and emotive house. When you close your eyes, you’re not missing anything; you’re doing it right. Redux will not be experienced by tens of thousands, but rather, hundreds. You know, like the way we used to do it."
Most of the Redux shows are sold out, but if there's any way you can get your hands on a ticket, make sure you do. It's a show not to be missed if you love the spirit of house music.