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Kouss Spills All: A Talk On His Breakout Dim Mak Release

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Dim Mak release
Kouss is breaking new ground with his latest release on Steve Aoki’s iconic Dim Mak label. His jam, “Call Me On Your Way Home,” blends melodic Drum and Bass with Dance-Pop, delivering a sound that’s both emotionally charged and full of energy.

Read the full interview to learn more!

1. How did the opportunity to release on Steve Aoki’s label Dim Mak come about?

It honestly came from the right timing and the right connections. I’ve been pushing my sound, refining it for a while, and I guess Steve’s team saw the potential in this track.

We connected through mutual friends, and from there, it just clicked. Having the chance to release on Dim Mak feels surreal, but it also feels like the culmination of years of hard work.

2. What does this milestone mean to you as an emerging producer?

It’s huge, not just for me as an artist, but for the growth of my project. This milestone definitely puts me on the map with a larger audience. It’s confirmation that I’m heading in the right direction and that my sound connects with people beyond just my core audience.

Dim Mak has been an integral part of Dance music for decades, so many of my heroes have releases on this legendary label.

3. What was the inspiration behind “Call Me On Your Way Home”?

I think lyrically it’s about human connecting, even if it’s just over the phone. The track holds a lot of personal weight for me because I produced the music for it during a really intense time in my life.

My wife was hospitalized with a shattered ankle, and I ended up pulling two all-nighters once she was back home as my way of trying to keep everything together mentally. I think that’s where some of the darker production landscapes came from.

4. What were some of the key tools, plugins, or techniques that became integral to this single?

I’m a big fan of Serum. It’s the VST I’m most comfortable with and know the best. I also used Diva for some of the more tucked-away cinematic synths. I used a decent amount of Valhalla Vintage and Shimmer, Pro Q3, and a few native Ableton plugins.

Honestly, my favorite part of the production is near the end where I brought in distorted guitars inspired by Reeves Gabrels to give it a heavy ending.

Kouss Call Me On Your Way Home

5. How do you approach blending the commercial appeal needed for a major label release with your own vision?

I don’t overthink it; I trust my instincts and let it flow. I feel like Pop music is at the core of everything I do, so to some extent it’s generally approachable.

But with “Call Me On Your Way Home,” I was intent on combining Dance-Pop with melodic Drum and Bass. It’s inspired by David Bowie’s “Earthling” album, which is probably the album that got me into Dance music in the first place.

6. There’s been a growing trend of EDM artists crossing into Pop. Do you see that as a necessary step for commercial success?

I think it depends on the artist. Personally, I’m naturally inclined to bring those elements in. Max Martin is one of my heroes. I’m not forcing it.

So, for any artist, I think it’s about staying authentic to what you do best and are passionate about. If people dig it, great!

7. Do you think it’s harder to surprise listeners with a new release or to give them exactly what they’re hoping for?

It’s definitely harder to surprise them. Once audiences get used to a certain sound, they expect that, and while it’s great for consistency and fitting the algorithm, it can make it tougher to create with integrity.

8. In what ways will your sound evolve to stay on top?

Just by telling stories through music. I’ll keep learning and experimenting and trying to get a little better each day.

9. Can you tell us about any collaborations or remixes you have in the works for 2025?

I’ve got a couple of exciting collaborations in the pipeline, both with some rising stars in the industry and a few surprise names.

I have a cover song coming out this summer from a very famous British Rock band that I’m pumped about, so stay tuned for those. 2025 is shaping up to be a fun one.

10. If “Call Me On Your Way Home” was a movie, what genre would it be, and who would play you in the film?

It’d definitely be a dark comedy with a runtime of about 72 minutes. Maybe Ryan Reynolds, Jim Carrey, or even Deadmau5 could play me. For the inevitable sequel, I’m thinking Brad Pitt or Kaskade.


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By Erick Ycaza

Hi, my name is Erick Ycaza. I have a BA in Advertising & Graphic Design. This blog is to provide you with daily music news and share my personal style. Surprisingly, I have been blogging and writing about music since 2007.

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