Hey Kitty! How did you first get into DJ’ing and who inspired you?

KITTY CA$H I started DJ’ing for an artist named Kilo Kish as her tour DJ. We had a show in London opening up for The Internet, and that night SBTRKT had an underground rave and it changed the trajectory of my life. I remember watching Jacques Greene and then SBTRKT just kill it that night. There was no sense of time, just raw energy and fucking sweat. Everyone left me at the party. I remember getting home and it was like 7AM or something [laughs]! I was like, ‘Oh yea this is what I need to be doing!’ Outside of that I’ve always been inspired by the music and stories of Paradise Garage, The Loft, and The Tunnel. The DJ’s and music that really shaped the sounds of New York City from Larry Levan and David Mancuso to Masters at Work (Kenny Dope and Louie Vega), Clark Kent, Bobby Konders and Jabba, and DJ Premier.

What’s been the biggest pinch me moment of your career so far?

KC At the end of last year I played my first sold out arena show alongside Kaytranada, DJ Pee Wee (Anderson Paak), and Sango…it was 16,000 people! It was the first time I was able to play all of my unreleased music live to such a huge audience and that reaction and energy was unmatched. I also feel like an honourable mention was playing at the iconic Ministry of Sound in London with the legendary Kenny Dope alongside Benji B for Deviation…I mean can we say DJ heaven?!

Tell us a bit about your sound, and the projects and events you’re excited to be working towards at the moment.

KC My upcoming project is called “Handle With Care”. Sonically I wanted to root this project in the energy of New York City – from the African drumming circles that create the pulse of Prospect Park, the sounds of the ‘90s from the Bowery, to the Afro Latin infusion from Spanish Harlem, the grit of New Jersey underground, and the steel pan yards in Brooklyn. It was really important for it to be a sonic melting pot the way New York is a melting pot of cultures and energy. Then for a bit of a personal touch, I decided to have more intimate moments like the echoes of my grandmother’s voice, the sounds of my bloodline, and the never-ending internal conversation from my subconscious included. I also have an upcoming tour to support the EP which I’m pretty excited about. DJ’ing is one thing, but being able to DJ your own music is just a different experience. As an extension of the EP I am working on an art installation and project. I wanted to create a space where people can be ‘handled with care’ and feel a sense of release. So I created these postcards where I ask people to “drop off your emotional baggage”. I have been developing this concept through music first and it will continue to unravel under the moniker ‘A Good Cry.’ All of these things make me so excited, my inner-child is doing backflips.

What are some of the most memorable interactions you’ve had with people after your set?

KC One of my favourites was during my recent European tour with Thundercat. The sweetest guy came up to me and told me he has followed every step of my career from the beginning as Kish’s DJ to now and he is betting on me. I swear those moments are like guardian angels, reminding you it’s bigger than you.

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