Now having wrapped up the North American part of his ‘Intimate Tour,’ and returning back to the European stages, Cedric Steinmyller or famously known as Klingande talks about his music growth ahead of debuting new works at Tomorrowland this weekend. He offers details on how his interpretation of ‘feel good’ tunes has changed with now incorporating live instrumentalists, as well as his take on his sound software of choice.
Known for his sharp saxophone sounds and electric violin beats, and one of the founders of ‘tropical house’, this multi-platinum artist will now be finally releasing his long awaited freshman album in the Fall. His titular song ‘Jubel’, which has amassed hundreds of millions of streams on Spotify, Soundcloud and Youtube and has put him on the map, but fans will recognize him further once ‘The Album’ drops.
What were some of your favorite places that you have visited now that you have wrapped up the North American part of ‘The Intimate Tour’?Â
That’s a tough one! I played in Chicago, Denver, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and I loved it all. I think my favorite place amongst them is not very original, but it’s Los Angeles.
You’re returning to the Tomorrowland stage this year. What are you most excited about?
It’s always a highlight of my summer to play Tomorrowland. I think about it a long time in advance, and I always hope I’ll be there the following year. I love the positive energy of Tomorrowland, from the staff, to the crowd, the entire place is like a big fantasy world, that’s what excites me the most!
If you could have a future collaboration with any artist performing at Tomorrowland, who would it be?
There’s a lot, it would be great to do a collab with Robin Schulz. He’s welcomed me on his Tomorrowland stage for the last 3 years.
What are the differences preparing for a major festival performance versus intimate venues?
I think the first big difference is in your tracklist. If you play in an intimate venue where you know people came for you, you have more freedom and you can keep your biggest songs for the end of the show. At a festival, you don’t know what to expect and how much of the crowd in front of you is actually there for you, so you have to take them with you from the beginning to the end.
You also approach things differently mentally, in a major festival performance there is more distance between you and the audience. So you have to deploy even more energy to connect and share with them.
What do you want to mention to fans who are waiting in anticipation for ‘The Album’ to drop?
I hope their long wait will be awarded and they will love the music I create. I can already tell you there will be some saxophone, some violins. They can also have a good idea of what’s coming by listening to ‘By the River’, ‘Ready for Love’ and ‘Sinner’, the first 3 singles of the album already out. I really hope they’ll enjoy it!
The third single from ‘The Album’ just dropped. What are thoughts on the feedback that ‘Sinner’ has received?Â
I’m amazed by the feedback on ‘Sinner’. So far, people really seem to like it. I get a lot of messages, that’s always so great to see people connect with my music. The most important thing for me is to give them some good vibes and good feelings.
You’ve mentioned in prior interviews that when you couldn’t utilize sounds from instrumentalists (as that is your preference), you have utilized Trilian. Is that still your go-to tool for editing and sound design?Â
Yes, definitely. I think it’s a fantastic tool. But most of the instruments you hear in my music is recorded live and purely acoustic.
Are Logic and Ableton still your platforms of choice?Â
Yes, I’ve been a Logic user since day one, but I’m curious about Ableton and I’ve learned how to use it progressively. This helps me a lot in collaboration with artists and musicians who use Ableton.
Why is it important for you to incorporate live instrumentalists in each one of your shows?
I’ve been doing it since the beginning, and I think that’s kind of a signature of my show. For me it also brings music to life, and it reaches out to the hearts of the people listening and watching the show. It definitely has more energy and soul with live instruments and that’s very important to me.
What is your gauge on the evolution of your sounds and introducing new components into it?Â
Honestly, I have no limit of evolution in my music, as long as it feels right to me. I just follow my gut and what I like. For example, I have a song from the album coming out in September, and you’ll probably be very surprised by the sound of it 😉
Any last words you want to leave with the fans?Â
It’s really classic but just want to say that all of this is a team effort, and I wouldn’t be here without them. I’m doing the music I like, to share good feelings with people and make them smile. As long as it works, I’ll be happy. Thanks to them.