Interviews
INTRODUCING: KATE SIMKO
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Words: Seb Wheeler
Published in Mixmag January 2011
Who Kate Simko, 29, Chicago-based house DJ and producer
Sounds like Chicago beats with European house elements
Due to the time difference it’s early morning when Kate Simko answers Mixmag’s call. It’s late autumn in Chicago and the leaves are turning brown. She’s sipping coffee while going through tunes on Beatport. “My cats hate dubstep,” she says. “As soon as I put any on they give me dirty looks!”
Luckily for her feline friends Kate is a house DJ and producer, one who is already well respected in underground house circles thanks to early releases on Spectral Sound and Eklo. But like the season outside, change is in the air. “I’ve made loads of music and DJed around the world, but I want to take it to the next level,” she says. This ‘next level’ is an AV show involving a 16 x 9’, high-def screen showing footage shot by Kate around the world, synced with her new live set.
Kate’s recently found herself at the forefront of a new Chicago house scene alongside fellow Windy City dweller Tevo Howard. Their beats aren’t as polished as the European sound, favouring German tech over looped disco snippets. “Chicago’s pretty purist when it comes to house. Luckily we’re still accepted by the heads!” says Kate.
The worldwide community is also embracing her sound. She’s producing tunes with Leftroom’s Matt Tolfrey and remixing Laura Jones. And with gigs at Fabric in London and Eleven in Tokyo, her only regret is that she has to leave her cats at home.
Kate’s remix of Laura Jones ‘Love In Me’ is out now. An EP with Matt Tolfrey is due early 2012.
