HILIT KOLET: “When I found out about electronic music, it was like my own personal big bang”

Just before her Zagreb debut - we spoke with the next big thing - Hilit Kolet!

By now you should know we are hosting Rekids with Radio Slave and Hilit Kolet in Peti Kupe this friday! (13 September).

We already spoke to the boss himself, and now it's time to have a word with the amazing Hilit Kolet!

Full interview below.

What initially drew you to the world of electronic music, and how did you find your sound within it? 

Hilit Kolet: I discovered electronic music when I was about 12-13 and I think it felt like the opposite of everything I’ve known and experienced about music up to that point. I grew up in a classical music household, my mum was teaching piano at home on the daily and our lives pretty much revolved around that, with me and my sister taking piano and music theory lessons at the local conservatory. It was a very strict establishment and all we got to play was classical pieces which thinking back were pretty heavy and emotionally complex for kids our age. When I found out about dance and electronic music, it was like my own personal big bang - suddenly I discovered that music was also a way to express joy and passion and excitement. It was also a lot about shaking the rules up, both musically as well as personally.

Can you share the story behind one of your tracks that holds a special place in your heart?

Hilit Kolet: My single ‘Snap Talk’ which came out on Rekids recently is a very special one for me. It’s rigged with Brazillian baile funk rhythms (as well as Kameelah Waheed's lush spoken word vox) and is a bit of a homage to my days as a samba dancer at London’s Notting Hill Carnival.

Your edit of Laurent Garnier’s 'Crispy Bacon' received high praise from legends like Carl Cox, Laurent himself, and many others. What was your process for reworking such a classic track?

Hilit Kolet: Thanks, I was overwhelmed by the reactions to it tbh, it’s a holy grail track for me and I only ever made it as a tool for my sets really - I’d never imagined Laurent would end up releasing it on his last album. I used Pioneer’s DJS1000 to jam about with the stabs until I got a pattern that I liked then finished it in Ableton with a few new drum parts.

How have your experiences in different cities influenced your music and the way you approach your craft?

Hilit Kolet: Everything is influencing my music, travel, random sounds, Shazaming tracks on Uber… I recently made a track that started on a sunbed at Pikes after a heavy night playing at Freddies… You may hear it this weekend actually 😊

Can you tell us a bit more about your release with Riva Starr on Defected Records?

Hilit Kolet: It started when Riva played me this extra fierce vocal that Nez had sent him, which I instantly felt, it’s got a hip house vibe to it. The drum workout on this is also influenced by my love of baile funk. I dropped it during my Elrow set at Amnesia this past weekend and it got all the woooo’s and the whistles - best feeling ever.

You’ve been a key figure at Black Market Records and have DJed at exclusive vinyl-only spots. How important is vinyl to your artistry, and how do you see its role in today’s digital age?

Hilit Kolet: I do have a special relationship with vinyl having worked at Black Market for many years and having collected vinyl for even longer, but for me, it’s all about the actual content - the music itself. I’m also a little tired of the whole format DJ debate. Is the music good? Does it make you dance? Great! Let’s have it 😊

What’s the most unexpected track you’ve ever played that turned out to be a huge hit with the audience? 

Hilit Kolet: One of my next releases actually. I get people messaging me asking for ID every time I play it.

A message for people coming to Dobar House Invites Rekids on September 13th?

Hilit Kolet: I’ve heard so many great things about Dobar House and I’m super excited to play with Radio Slave - can’t wait for this one!

Tickets are available through Entrio.hr