Master of organic electronic music, Kora, delivers a dubby and deep two-hour journey…
Weaving together electronic music and human connection, Kora is the project of Québec-born Mikael B. Robillard. As a producer, DJ, and co-founder of Saisons Musique, a Montréal-based label inspired by nature’s cycles, he crafts immersive sets and productions released on labels like Decca, Kindisch, and Anjunadeep.
His remix collaborations, including work with Ludovico Einaudi and Mercan Dede, bridge electronic and acoustic worlds. After 16 years of dancefloor-driven music, his debut album Azimuth explored ambient and cinematic realms, reflecting his passion for music as a tool for inner discovery. With performances in 50+ cities across 30+ countries, Kora continues to share his deep, emotive sound worldwide.
On this Balance Selections mix, the Canadian artist delivers a beautiful mix of organic, deep and dubby house. Featuring tracks from Sven Weismann, Nicola Cruz, Hernan Cattaneo & Simply City and more, this is mix which is equal parts soothing and grooving.
2. Nikosf. – Society
3. Pulshar – Accept Fate
4. Chris Ojeda – Andini
5. Zone+ – Saturday Luv
6. Zeu5, Kondo, Gentleman (DJ) – Focus
7. Alejandro Mosso – Gravitas
8. Naturae – Landslide
9. Deephope, Kanedo – Shared Vision (BIG AL Remix)
10. Deeperwalk – October 4 (Pablo Bolivar Remake)
11. Ochu Laross – Gravity Of Reality
12. Oli Vez – ID
13. Etzu Mahkayah – Apis
14. Nicola Cruz – Obsidiana (Makedub Steppers Remix)
15. Serious Dancers – Mutbenret (Mass Digital Remix)
16. Birds of Mind – You Gonna Make It (Kirik Remix)
17. Ivan Garci – We Are
18. Sòlas – Trinity
19. Dan Goul – Moonlanding
20. Acrobat – Neverland (Extended Mix)
21. Patch Park – Hips and Dips (Zankee Gulati Remix)
22. Dougal Fox – Intimate Spaces (Hernan Cattaneo & Simply City Remix)
23. Izhy & Bodaishin – Daimoku (Kora Remix)
24. Epokhé – Red Cliffs
Name: Mikael B Robillard
Location: Montréal, Québec, Canada
Alias/Producer name: Kora
Labels affiliated with: Saisons, Anjunadeep, Kindisch, Akbal, Halaken Collective
One of my earliest music memories is sitting beside my dear grand maman Gisèle at the piano. We would pretend to be a band, jamming on makeshift drums and guitars with pots and pans. While my parents weren’t musicians, my mother was a passionate music enthusiast who danced at Limelight in the 80s. She introduced me to a diverse range of sounds, from classical to Cuban music, movie soundtracks to new wave acts like the B-52‘s. I particularly remember her playing Paul Oakenfold in the car during school runs when I was eight or nine.
Around 2001-2002, when I was eleven, my friend Houle and I discovered Darude‘s “Sandstorm.” We would play it on repeat in his parent’s trailer, jumping around, completely energized by the sound. That track sparked something special.
My first club experience was at Rolls Bar in my small hometown of Joliette, Québec. The resident DJ, Alex Lottasenh (DJ Spino), played open format sets all night on Technics SL1200s with Serato. His technical skill and ability to read the crowd was great. I learned so much by watching him, and eventually became a resident there myself. Gratitude to the Rolls team for giving me my first opportunity!
Music: Nils Frahm, Estas Tonne, Ludovico Eianudo, Maro, Boubacar Traoré, Awaré, Porangui, Hania Rani, Dhafer Youssef, Rumi, Hernan Cattaneo, Pablo Bolivar, Omeria, Hraach, Mercan Dede, Dexter Crowe, Wuachuma, the birds, my mother and the talented street musicians that create the soundtrack of our cities.
I am also deeply inspired by our planet, the landscapes, nature, the cosmos, humans, life’s mysteries like the galaxies or ancient civilizations. Most importantly, I am inspired by the dance floor and that powerful feeling of unity we co-create when we dance together. In these times on our planet, we need to nurture that feeling more than ever.
My burning man camp mate Nick offered me a bandcamp album download last week: Kruder & Dorfmeister: The K&D Sessions – He described it as the mid 90’s album that got him into electronic music! It’s the first time someone offered me an album this way, I found it really cool and I’m excited to take the time to dive into it!
I primarily produce music on my laptop using Ableton Live, a MIDI keyboard, headphones, and my Tascam for on-the-go recording. At home, I love using the Osmose Expressive-E for its dynamic, expressive playability. For both production and performances, I rely on the Boss DD-200 Delay and Strymon Blue Sky Reverb. Occasionally, we rent a studio with a beautiful piano—my favorite instrument to record.
Live, I perform in various ways but have been enjoying hybrid sets with a full DJ rig plus a synth, Roland Handsonic, and sometimes a microphone for percussion and instruments. For longer sets, like at Stereo Montreal, I prefer a simpler setup with a rotary mixer and CDJs to focus on sound quality and flow.
For ambient or meditative moments, something that brings me true peace, I play my Native American double flute.
“Ekēle”, a collaboration with my brother Wuachuma on our home label Saisons. Otherwise, Feb 16 I’ll release a track with Dysco on a VA to celebrate the launch of their label NY-based label Samsãra. Later this season, we will release Bodaishin & Izhy “Daimoku” (Kora Remix) on Saisons as well. You can hear it towards the end of this mix. Otherwise, I have collabs in the oven with my friends YokoO, Madota, döb, Dexter Crowe, Mercan Dede, Oiseau de Nuit, Ra*faelle that I am excited to bring to life, including ambient music and album material.
Winter kicks off with our Saisons Musique Showcase at Igloofest Montréal – there’s something magical about dancing together in the heart of winter. March brings an especially exciting moment: warming up for Hernan Cattaneo at Sunset Strip in Buenos Aires on March 02 & 03, a dream coming true that still gives me goosebumps to think about. Following that, I’ll embark on an Australia & New Zealand tour, with three stops in each country.
The journey continues throughout the year across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. While I’m deeply grateful for these opportunities to share music around the world, I always love returning home to Montréal and my residency at Stereo. This room & community holds a special place in my heart – if you ever have the chance to experience it, please do!
It’s a two hour journey filled entirely with music I have never played before, so it was really exciting and fun to record! It starts quite atmospheric and progressively evolves towards cosmic realms.
I recorded it on the decks at home in Montréal during a cold & beautiful winter night! My friends Sarah & Santo joined me in the studio to dance during the recording of the podcast. A huge thanks to them for their presence, their energy hyped me up and it was lovely to share this moment that is now captured in the mix!
Thanks to Balance for the invitation, I hope you enjoy it!
Love many of them but I have to say. Red Cliffs by Epokhé which is a song I discovered just a few days before doing this mix. It’s a slower song that inspires so much hope, humanity and togetherness. This is what I intend to transmute with my music and this song achieves it so well.
The Alpinist (Documentary)
One Strange Rock or Alone
My family’s cottage in Québec.
