Beginning
At the age of 12 learned by himself to play piano and clarinet. Later organized two punk/hardcore groups in 1991-1993, being vocalist and guitarist and song writer. As "dance boom" reached Riga around 1994, got into dance music. First as a raver, than as a DJ. His first public set was Dub Reggae, having just a few vinyls.
Jungle
When he first listened a tape with Jungle, given by friend, Vlad Yakovlev, he immediately loved the genre, because "it was very Dub-influenced", and started to play it. Together with DJs Betons, Ginnz and MC Dr_Ups, the core of later famous Värka Kru, he was developing and popularizing Drum'n'Bass culture in Latvia since 1996. Not only DNB movement started in LV, but also, few years later - MC in DnB. As by 2000 Drum'n'Bass became almost a mainstream, Kone refused to play it, returned back to Jungle and got deeper into genres Funk, Nu'Jazz, Breaks and Latino.
Minimal
From 2006 he influenced mostly by sounds of Minimal Techno/Techhouse. It was quite a natural change though. As first Electroclash grabbed Kone' attention.
"Electroclash got that raw energy, I enjoyed a lot when was younger. First punk concerts in Riga of 1991-1993 was the beginning of whole local underground movement. In many ways. It was staring of something. Ten tears later, Electroclash became contemporary punk".
Later interest in Electroclash evolved into Electrohouse, and than into Minimal.
"I love to change mood and energy level on the dancefloor. It's like a waves of sea. It keep audience attention, you know... some gentle surprises. Here's uplifting minimal-afro-house, there's intelligent and calm minimal texno. Combinations are endless."
Creating an atmosphere
"Creating an atmosphere" is what he's famous for. "That's my another side, I play "Bar sets", as I call them, even more often then minimal ones. Nice home-feel sound system, music is not loud, people don't notice it, but suddenly somebody start to dance, than others. Other DJs say I play Lounge, but for me it's a House. Just the mood is very subtle. Like talking, sometimes whispering. If sceraming, than in nice fruity way." Light but uplifting DJ sets of Nu'Jazz, Funk, Balkan, Latino, Afrobeat are in Cuba Cafe and other selected Riga' clubs.
Jamaician groove
From "third" side, Kone plays Reggae, Dub and Dancehall, delivering one of the biggest collection of 7-inches outta Jamaica in LV. "Reggae community is very strong in Latvia. Not huge, but is has noticeable grew-up in couple of last years. We need reggae 'cause Latvian winters are so cold and grey. We need warmer vibes. Reggae is universal cure from depression."
175 bpm
Not forgetting his roots, Kone sometimes may play "hot faya bunin" Ragga Jungle sets (both new school and old), positive uplifting Brazil-style drum'n'bass, or more experimental Drumfunk.
Big names
As DJ, Kone performed together with Paul Murphy (Afro Art), Roni Size (Full Cycle), Smash TV, Future Prophecies to name a few.
Producer
The only proper release by Kone, "Trip to Vuokatti" is 15 minutes long ambient dub track. "That's my impression of long road to snowboarding spot in Finland. I set near driver and we listened to Jim Morrison solo album, where he read his poetry, for hours again and again. It was such a beautiful hypnotizing mellow experience. I did the base of track, and gave the loop to Yuri Koshkin, aka You, and he recorded me about an hour of guitar improvisations. Collaboration rulles!"
He works on new tracks, which in state of sketches remainds for next session, builds a home hardware-based studio so watch out for some new stuff...
Style: Minimal Techno -
Influences:
Shows / Residencies:
Discography:
Influences:
Shows / Residencies:
Discography:
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