A nascent purveyor of house and cutting-edge disko in all its forms, DJ/producer and visual artist Kate Stein is grooving her way into the good graces of underground circles everywhere with an experiential sound that’s all her own.
Australian born, Stein first entered the world of art via set design, meticulously crafting event spaces with an eye for the elegant and the mischievous. Moving to New York in 2012, years of developing her unmistakable style as a spatial designer, her skills with composition, color, and ambiance have coagulated into a raw creative force she manipulates into any form she desires.
A confident performer who has appeared at House of Yes, Mayan Warrior, and Cityfox Experience at Brooklyn Mirage, among many other notorious spots, Kate is also carving out her own lane with her productions. With audio landscapes meant to inspire joviality and bring about unexpected feelings, this is not the music of pure escapism. This is the music of revelation—opening space within to explore the nebulous reaches of yourself.
Stein channels that force into aggressive rhythms, heavy percussion, and arcane melodies. Releasing her debut Scenic Byway and sophomore Mystic Saddle Ranch EPs in 2021 — featuring remixes from the likes of Perel, Zillas On Acid, Balam, and Autarkic — selectors worldwide continue to take notice of Stein’s hypnotic pull. July 2022 has her third EP released on TAU, with the Death Stocked EP, her debut with Adana Twins’ label. The EP boasts a bumper selection of reworks from Curses, Zombies in Miami, and Leonor. Keep an eye on this rocket: with a few more releases to come in 2023, her dynamic and fun approach to dance floor soundscapes is in full bloom.
Balance Selections 243: Kate Stein
Tracklisting:
1. Summercamp – High Season
2. Tornerò (Original Mix) – Ma Spaventi
3. Double Torus (Original Mix) – Diego Montiel
4. The Shadow (Sasha Carassi Remix) – Mz Sunday Luv & Globemaster
5. Melody Mecca (Mmyylo Remix) – Hola Estrella
6. Arrivederci Bella (Original Mix) – Joyce Muniz
7. Eyes Shuttered (Mishell Remix) – Mufti
8. You Dust (Roe Deers Remix) – Kimshies, You Man
9. Unreleased – Kate Stein
10. Unreleased – Kate Stein
11. Babu – Fango
12. Sounds to Come – Sharif Laffrey
13. Hold Me In Your Arms Again (Ali Schwarz’s Dance Tili You Popo RMX) – GusGus, John Grant
14. The Electric (Original Mix) – Red Axes
15. Techno Cave (Sharif Laffrey Nightwork Remix) – Ruf Dug
16. Unreleased – Kate Stein
17. After Of Disaster (Marvin & Guy Remix) – Megaphonim
18. Gilgamesh (Original Mix) – Simple Symmetry, Inigo Vontier
19. Death Stocked – Kate Stein
20. Earth Ship – Robert Babicz
21. Unreleased – Kate Stein
Balance Selections Q+A
Name: Kate Stein
Location: New York / Los Angeles
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Alias/Producer name: Kate Stein
Labels affiliated with: TAU, Roam, Playground, Spinning Top
My lastest release:
Kate Stein – Death Stocked
What music did you listen to as a child?
My earliest memory of music as a child was watching my dad work in his shed, there was a record player out there and he was usually listening to something like Marty Robbins, or The Eagles. My parents were not musicians, and for a while we lived in remote parts of central and far north Queensland without electricity, so local radio stations were often the go to.
When was the first time that you realised that you liked electronic music?
I remember going to a bush doof and “not loving” the psytrance that was being played. And, I think I was 19? At that point in my life I was big into post punk, new wave, metal, indie rock. The first time I was really exposed to electronic music in the “rave” sense was at Burning Man in 2014. I saw Mandrake playing on the Mayan Warrior art car and that was when I decided I wanted to DJ. It took me about 4 more years to do anything about it, but in 2018 I dove in and never looked back. When was the first time you saw a DJ in a club? I used to listen to a LOT of new wave, indie dance and post punk at Ric’s in Brisbane…. I think that is where I really fell in love with staying out all night. I’m forever grateful for those memories. But, I wasn’t really about the DJ at those events.
Which producers/artists/acts inspire you?
I am really inspired my musicians that jump across genres, I love acts like LCD Soundsystem who have a live element, but also bleed into electronic scene. Curses also does this, I’m a big fan of what he does!
What was the last album that you downloaded/bought?
I bought this EP called ‘The Remixes‘ by Warmduscher – there’s a great Red Axes track on it ‘Twitchin’ in the Kitchen‘ – I’m always hunting for unexpected tracks that step outside of electronic, I love dropping them in a set to wake people up and break the flow! Post punk is great for that. Sometimes it’s a risk… But, when it lands it really lands – and if it doesn’t… Well oops! Another I bought at the same time is ‘Paris Hilton‘ by Mutsumi – another out there track, it’s more electronic but also works in the same way.
What is your current production and DJ set up like?
My studio setup/s are sort of all over the place. I’ve been living between NYC and LA for the last 3 years, and I’ve ended up setting up very basic production desks in both cities…..both are modest with just some Rokit monitors, microphone, TR8 drum machine, a few of the korg volcas and a midi keyboard. I go to a shared studio space at IO Academy in Hollywood when I’m in LA. I’ll use hardware synths there, and most of all get out of the house (to focus). I have found that the way I best make music is to usually start very low key on just a laptop, sketch out a rough idea, then I’ll get more serious and sit down at the studio to go in with precision.
What releases do you have on the horizon?
The future shines bright! I have a few of remixes on the way, and one is coming out in the next month or so. It will be released on Belly Dance Services – for a collaboration between Funboys and Ackerman. The others I can’t mention yet!
Speaking of collaborations, Lord Fascinator and I have been working together on a bunch of tracks – and we have some very cool remixers on board, including a remix from Beatfoot. I’m super excited about this project, and a couple of the tracks have vocals from both Johnny and myself. The whole EP is pretty weird and definitely not taking itself too seriously, which is my favourite way to be. On a personal level…. I have a release coming out at the end of the year on Multinotes, and 2 other finished EP’s. I have been so focused on making music over winter…. Now I need to start releasing it!
Where can we hear you perform?
My next gig I am extra excited about is playing at Goodroom in NYC. I’ll be playing all night long in the Bad Room, with Juan MacLean in the main room. I’ve played with Juan in the main room before, but this will be my first time piloting the Bad Room from open to close… And, I love a long journey! Most of all, I haven’t been in NYC for the last 5 months (my longest break since moving there in 2012) – so I’m itching to get back and see friends and connect with my local scene.
Tell us more about the podcast you made for Balance?
I made this mix on Ableton as I am in Mexico right now for a show. I have included a few unreleased tracks from upcoming EP’s, and a track released on TAU last year. I guess its a very personal mix – I haven’t made one in about 6 months, so I had to make it feel like me!
My Recommendations
The top track in my DJ wallet currently is:
I try to keep things fresh (I feel bored if I revisit the same tracks too often) – I loved playing this Joyce Muniz track ‘Arrivederci Bella‘ out over the weekend:
If I could recommend only one of my tracks for you to listen to it would be:
I really love my 2nd EP Mystic Saddle Ranch (2021), the track ‘Mystic Saddle Ranch‘ was also remixed by Autarkic and Balam.
If I could recommend only one track for you to listen to it would be:
Keep Going – Boozoo Bajou & Tony Joe White. This song is my spirit animal!
The last movie I watched that I really liked:
I am notorious for being unable to to sit still and watch a movie, but I have been re-(binge) watching VEEP, which is terrible and amazing all at once.
My favourite TV show:
Ummmm – see above?! 🙂