Kice, a DJ and producer based out of Chicago, has performed at some of the most popular festivals andnightclubs around the globe. More notably, he has distinguished himself by teaming up with top tierinstrumentalists in his famous DJ featuring live music sets.
Born in Chicago, Kice spent his early life in Amman, Jordan, and developed a passion for musicthroughout his childhood. He moved back to Chicago at the age of 15, where he earned a reputation forhis beatboxing skills. It wasn’t long until he learned how to mix and realized he could translate his love formusic onto the turntables. He developed a philosophy that drives his ongoing love of music today: Thatmusic expresses what cannot be said, and yet is the universal language of the world.
Kice emerged on the DJ scene in 2007, with his first major set at Bon V Nightclub Chicago. For more than a decade, he enjoyed immense popularity as he performed at high profile venues. Over the years, hedeveloped a reputation for skillfully reading his audience, innovatively integrating all genres of music,attracting crowds, and most importantly, bringing energy to any venue.Using the impeccable knowledge and skills he gained from the music industry, Kice went on to found Treblemonsters, a unique artist management and music consulting agency that services both top-tierglobal talent and venues across the USA. Clients include international names in the nightlife, hospitality,and corporate worlds.
As Treble Squad, he has also gained acclaim as a touring act integrating his original music and Treblemonsters artists Violin Girl (Violin) & MGabriel (Saxophone), with sets at Burning Man, NorthernNights Music Festival, Hard Rock, Sound-Bar Nightclub, PRYSM Nightclub, and many other notablevenues.
Hi there! Where can we find you right now? How did you start your day?
Hi, today is a special day. It was my first time waking up at 6 AM, which I always do organically, but went straight to the gym. From there, I made a cup of coffee, and here we are.
When did the idea of starting a project start to take shape? Has it always been something you wanted to do?
I started working in Ableton around 10 years ago on and off. I have always wanted to create my music and deliver it to the world. About two years ago I took it seriously and dedicated a lot of time and energy to the production side.
How would you define the sound of your latest work? What is the concept behind it?
‘Pusher’ was a little different for me. A little too dark and deep. I was sitting on that one for a while and then to see artists like John Summit, Fisher, Dom Dolla, Chris Lorenzo, Chris Lake, Sidepiece, succeed within a similar genre – it inspired me to finish the track. I wanted something deeper and darker for an after-hours vibe.
What artists are you interested in these days?
MK and Sonny Fodera.
How do you manage to combine such disparate genres? How do you manage to give them unity and harmony? What do they have in common for you?
This is the golden ticket question. It has been hard on me to find the balance between the house world and my Middle Eastern descent. It takes, I think at least, about five times the amount of revisions that a “normal one lane” track takes before mixing and mastering. I simply do not stop until I feel like I have everything that I want into the track. Every single one of them has a Middle Eastern percussive element either behind or in front of the track. It is a signature sound no matter what genre I’m going to produce that I will do my best to include.
How would you define your sound?
Upbeat, House mixed with Middle Eastern elements.
Can you tell us something about your current or future projects?
Music-wise, I have a ton of house tracks that I am sitting on but my next two songs will be a live middle eastern vocalist (Arabic) over an electronic dance track. The other one is an experimental house with a live Middle Eastern instrument (the Oud). I am excited about these two because they truly balance my house ear and middle eastern ear closer than I ever thought I would.
