As a DJ/promoter, Kev is the pioneer behind Stranjjur, underground events that are responsible for bringing some of the world’s most influential DJs and producers to New York City. The credits include household names such as Bearweasel, Spencer Parker, Till Von Sein, Alex Niggemann, Pezzner, Audio Soul Project, Milton Jackson and Kruse & Nuernberg.
As a producer, the rampant success of Kev‘s Valentines & 909s on Deep Vein Audio saw MANIK‘s remix quickly noticed and snapped up by John Digweed, securing a regular slot on John‘s popular show, Transitions. It wasn’t long before Valentines & 909s hit the Beatport deep house charts, spreading its sonic waves across the globe.
Kev OBrien and long time friend, MANIK, had earned their stripes in the underground scene. The rest is history.
It’s no secret I’m a digital guy. I talk to Ableton more than I talk to Jesus himself, and ever since I got my paws on the Akai APC40 (the day it was released!) I’ve never even thought of playing any other way since. So much control!
What’s your favourite tune of all time? Why?
Oh, that’s a tough one. Too many to name, really. I’ve never been a guy who has a favorite song, but to satisfy your question I will say that one of my favorites is actually included in this mix, the Soundstream mix of Rhythm & Sound’s ‘Free For All’, which came out around 5 years ago. Simply beautiful music, no other words.
When (and where) did it all start for you? Who was your biggest influence?
I’ve been wrapped in electronic music since the mid-90s as a teenager in Florida. The rave scene was massive there, and Orlando was a mecca, with artists like Sasha, Digweed, Jimmy Van M, Chris Fortier, Rabbit in the Moon, Sandra Collins, etc. all playing on a regular basis; it was then that I knew this would all be part of my life for a long time. As far as production goes, I started working with Ableton and various VSTs around 2 years ago after I moved to NY and after deciding to get serious about my future in music.
Was there a defining moment in your life when you knew things would never be the same?
The moment I moved the New York, almost 3 years ago. That was a defining moment in my life that forever changed my direction and focus.
Someone once told me that luck is a direct result of hard work… what’s your take?
It goes both ways. When someone wins the lottery, they’re lucky. However, when you’re talking about the music business, or any other business really; people don’t become successful by accident. The cream always rises to the top, and those who do get lucky, will quickly fade away if they don’t have the talent, drive, work ethic and passion that it takes to make it in today’s saturated music market. Unfortunately for many, one has to essentially be a jack-of-all-trades to get anywhere, and be proficient talent-wise, but also in marketing, branding, promotions, PR, networking; the list goes on! This leaves a ton of talented people out there scratching their heads, but it’s just the nature of the beast.
How much luck is involved in hitting the big league?
Always a little, but if one is passionate enough about what they’re doing, and has enough drive, focus and most of all, confidence… on top of all the other skillsets I mentioned earlier, anything can be achieved. I’ll let you know when I get there!
What goes on in your head when you’re making music? What inspires you?
Depends on the day! Sometimes it clicks, sometimes it doesn’t. I find times when I am emotional to be the best creative moments. Sometimes people use troubles as an excuse to not get the job done; but with music, I think our troubles or triumphs are what expand our minds creatively more than anything.
Is there a story behind the success you’ve had with Valentines & 909s? What’s next?
Valentines & 909s, ahhh.. it’s a special track for me, indeed. It was actually written on Valentines Day of this year, just a month or so after I had met an amazing girl while I was in Florida for a gig. Our emotions and energy were more intense and real than any I think I’ve ever or may ever experience, and not having her by my side on that day was hard. When I sat down that day in my studio, it immediately came together. The entire track was done within 12 hours basically! I think all of my emotions came out through the music, and I hope people (and Kat as well, the mystery girl in question) can feel and hear that when they listen to it! The remixers did an an incredible job, without them the release wouldn’t have seen the success that it did, so hats go off to Chris Manik, Feygin and Hermanez!
Tell us about this exclusive set you’ve put together for Deeper Vibes.
This one was done with the idea of ‘Definition’ defining what my sound is as a DJ, overall. I’ve been a fan of this site since the beginning, so I took the time to also create a custom intro, and throughout the set I feel I touch on every nook and cranny of my sound. Deep, sexy, funky, pumpin’, filthy, soulful.. its all there!
You’ve become a firm favourite on Deeper Vibes, can we expect to see more of you on the site?
I’ll be around for exclusives as long as time permits, but I’ll always share my music with the people, its very important to me!
“Music is life” – what’s your take?
Life is music!
What’s your take on the direction in which Deep House, House and Tech House music is moving?
In the right direction. For sure.
What tracks are doing it for you at the moment? I mean, what’s your current Top 10?
- Soldiers With Limits – Let’s Get Paid (Original Mix) – Supplement Facts
- Chopstick & Till von Sein – You Don’t See (Original Mix) – Suol
- Audio Soul Project – Call Of Grace (Original Mix | MANIK | Milton Jackson) – Fresh Meat
- Gorge – Time Flies (Original Mix) – Systematic Recordings
- Darlyn Vlys – Colapso (Original Mix) – Suruba
- MANIK – McLovin You (Original Mix) – Culprit
- Alex Niggemann – Take Control (Original Mix) – Supernature
- Leon – Visions [Original Mix] – CDR (Crosstown Digital Rebels)
- Maya Jane Coles – Nowhere (Original Mix) – Loco Records Supreme
- Steve Lawler- Femme Fatale (Livio & Roby ‘Da Funk’ Remix) – Ovum Recordings
- Kev OBrien – Deep Vibes Intro Feat. Roland Clark (Kev OBrien Mix) – Unknown
- Alex Roque – Keep The Funk Alive (Roberto Palmero Mix) – Street King
- Nooncat – Watch Your Step (Original Mix) – Pro-Tez
- Rhythm & Sound – Free For All Feat. Paul St. Hilaire (Soundstream Remix) – Burial Mix
- Bengoa – Make This Happen Feat. Brothers Vibe (Kev Obrien Edit) – Moscow Records
- Leon – Visions (Original Mix) – CDR (Crosstown Digital Rebels)
- Kabale Und Liebe – Since You Looked Into My Eyes Feat. The Fog (Kev Obrien Edit) – Remote Area Records
- Ross Evana – Ouija Board (Original Mix) – Get Digital Music
- Carl Handbig – Shine NY Tribute (Alex Flatner Remix) – Clock
- Cosmic Cowboys – Lost in Berlin (Original Mix) – Dieb Audio
- Major De Homme – Rouquinerie (Original Mix) – Major De Homme
- Gavin Herlihy – Think (Kev Obrien Edit) - Cadenza
- Jamie Anderson Feat. K-Alexi – Cyclone (Coyu‘s Wild Koncept Remix) (Kev Obrien Edit) – Mija Recordings
- Darlyn Vlys – Make Me Laugh (Samuel Dan Remix) (Kev Obrien Edit) – Suruba
- Audio Soul Project – Call of Grace (Original Mix) – Fresh Meat
- Cat #: DVEU02
- Date: Jul, 2010
- DJ: Kev OBrien
- Title: Deeper Vibes Definition Vol.2
- Genre: Deep House
- Image Source: Just a Little Bit Louder
- Time: 61m
- Bitrate: 192kbps
- Size: 85 MB
Kev OBrien
Deeper Vibes