INTERVIEW WITH THE KOOL KIDS KLUB
Three years ago in a small, dingy basement in Southend, Essex, The Kool Kids Klub was formed off the back of boredom in a small town and a growing love for dance music. Since then, they’ve hosted and welcomed renowned DJ’s from all over the world such as Riva Starr, Brodinski, A-Trak, Jack Beats, with great success. We recently managed to catch an interview with George Smith, the co-founder of The Kool Kids Klub. Interview after the jump.
AO-AO: Hello! You guys started in 2007, yet in only three years you’ve hosted the likes of Jack Beats, A-Trak, Brodinski, Riva Starr, Zombie Disco Sqaud, Kissy Sell Out and many more, what is the secret?!
If I knew you I’d tell you! I’m not sure there is a secret really, We just aim to put on on a good party with Djs that we like and we think the crowd will enjoy! Parties depend on a good crowd in my eyes, without the people that come every month we wouldn’t be where we are today. Dj’s talk amongst each other so word spreads about where is good to play etc, so I think that has really helped us get some of the bookings you mentioned. All we want to do it put on DJ’s we like and have a massive fucking party :)
AO-AO: You guys started off in Southend, and now you’re hosting parties in London and Brighton. What brought that about, and do you have any plans to spread to more cities?
We just want to expand and take The Kool Kids Klub brand a lot further…We want to get the buzz and atmosphere we have in Southend into our London and Brighton parties too. We know it won’t be easy as both places already have an abundance of nights and clubs doing great things, It will be a struggle but we won’t give up :)
AO-AO: What can you tell us all about the Kool Kids Klub resident DJ’s?
All our resident are friends who we have known long before Kool Kids started. We have had some changes over the years, some have left and some have joined. Every so often we will have one of the guys who used to play for use regularly come back and play a set. Music wise everyone is quite different and has their own style and preferred genres, It works quite well because everyone brings something different to the table.
AO-AO: The Kool Kids Klub Tee’s have really taken off, with people like Brodinski wearing them at the WMC in Miami, how did the clothing start, and haven’t you guys just dropped some new Tee’s?
The clothing just kind of started…..I was at uni at the time and just got a screen printing kit. I think it was on the day of the second Kool Kids we ever did we decided it would be a great idea to start making t-shirts that we could give out to our mates. That night people were coming up to us asking where they could buy one, how much would they be etc…After the hassle of printing 10 ourselves we thought we should just get them printed properly. Every batch we did sold out really quickly, so we just kept making more and more. Eventually we released new designs, new colours an they are all still selling great to this day! To have someone like Brodinski wearing one at was amazing…to have him wearing it at WMC was even better!
AO-AO: What are the main things you consider when booking an artist?
Most of the acts we book are making music we like at the time or doing something we like at the time. We might have heard and seen them play somewhere, or just heard a mix/set on the internet that we love :)
AO-AO: Personally, what would you say has been the biggest highlight so far?
Personally, as cheesey as it sounds…Its always a highlight when people come up to you at the end of the night and say what an amazing time they have had! I suppose the 2nd and 3rd birthday parties too, they are always stressful. But its great to have some many great acts on one line up in such a small venue!
AO-AO: Finally, what’s coming up in the near future for Kool Kids Klub?
Not sure! When we know, everyone will!
