Swedish DJ and techno producer KAAZE has never shied away from big sounds, but this year feels like a full-on evolution. After years of perfecting his festival-ready sound—what he famously calls Hot Tëknō—he’s now throwing nostalgia into the mix. His latest single “Reach Out I’ll Be There” reimagines a Motown classic into a euphoric techno stormer, timed perfectly with his biggest year yet. With a milestone entry into the DJ Mag Top 100, a packed global tour, and collaborations with David Guetta, Steve Aoki, and Sia, last year marked a turning point. But behind the drops, there’s discipline. Behind the energy, there’s emotion. And behind the scenes, there’s an artist hell-bent on staying present, grounded, and creatively free. As he preps for summer, techno master KAAZE spoke with EDMNOMAD in an exclusive interview to talk about sampling legends, staying sane, and building a legacy that outlasts charts.
Turning Motown Into a Mainstage Weapon
KAAZE’s new single “Reach Out I’ll Be There” reimagines the Four Tops’ 1966 anthem with a techno twist—unexpected and unmissable. Taking on such a sacred soul track wasn’t something he did lightly. “I actually had this idea laying around for quite some years,” he explains. “I just didn’t really know what to do with it.” But when inspiration struck last year, the pieces finally came together. “It just kinda clicked, turned out exactly as I wanted. It’s all about timing.” The production glues old and new together. “I made a lot of the modern techno elements very distorted and almost vintage sounding,” he says. “So that it would flow nicely with the old sample parts.” He rebuilt everything by hand. “I recreated all the samples by using a lot of Vinylizer and amps to give it that old sounding vibe.” The result is a melodic stomper—equal parts club-ready and emotionally charged.
Redefining Hot Tëknō, One Euphoric Drop at a Time
If “Reach Out” sounds like KAAZE turning up the techno dial, that’s because he is. “I would say the track does have quite some Hōt Tëknō elements in there,” he says. “But I definitely tried pushing this a bit further.” For KAAZE, this wasn’t just another release—it was a personal mission. “It’s heavier and more in your face,” he adds. “To be honest I just wanted to create that one big banger in my DJ sets that sends everyone crazy and has that euphoric sing-along moment too.” That emotion-first mindset has become his signature. Where others chase virality, KAAZE chases goosebumps. And that’s become his biggest competitive edge. His songs aren’t just drops—they’re designed for peak moments, crowd chants, and those festival flashes you never forget. This isn’t techno for heads—it’s techno for hearts.
From RESONANCE to Residency: KAAZE Finds His Rhythm in America
When KAAZE launched his North America tour RESONANCE, it wasn’t just a debut—it felt like destiny. “It was amazing to finally do my US debut!” he exclaims. The energy was infectious. “The reaction and feedback from everyone who came to the shows was so positive,” he recalls. “I feel so motivated and inspired by the whole experience.” What started as a debut became a ritual. “I think I’m going for US shows every month now after that tour which is absolutely amazing.” It’s more than bookings—it’s a movement. “We’ve got a good thing going over there for sure!” he adds, smiling. With stops from Denver to Singapore, Tokyo to Ibiza, KAAZE is carving a global path leading with techno beats and electronic dreams. But America unlocked something more personal—a space to connect with fans in real time, without overthinking the spectacle. That feedback loop has fueled his creativity and built a new base of loyal believers.
Hits vs. Hype: How KAAZE Balances Expectation and Innovation
With festival crowds expecting fireworks, KAAZE walks a tightrope between crowd-pleasers and fresh originals. His formula? Keep it mostly unreleased. “I would say my sets are more than 80% unreleased,” he shares. “And majority of my whole sets are only my own tracks.” But he’s not rigid—he’s strategic. “I do make a lot of mashups where I feel it’s needed, especially with more popular songs,” he admits. The mashups help bridge mainstream appeal with his signature Hot Tëknō grit. Still, some moments catch even him off guard. “I don’t have a specific backstage moment to share,” he says, “but I can say that when Steve Aoki called me one day and said he was closing the MainStage at Tomorrowland together with our track ‘Whole Again’—that was absolutely surreal.” He pauses for a second. “I will always be grateful for Steve for doing something like that for me.” These are the moments that define an artist—not just the beats, but the belief.
No Burnout Here: Discipline and Joy Keep the Fire Alive
Touring at KAAZE’s level is a pressure cooker. Yet, he remains calm, clear-eyed, and fully charged. His secret? Habits. “The four key things I do on tour to stay focused and energised are eat a clean diet, work out every day,” he says. “I don’t drink alcohol, and I sleep at every chance I get to ensure that I get my 8 hours a day.” The gym isn’t a luxury—it’s a ritual. “It’s not super weird but I always hit the gym one hour before I go to the show,” he laughs. “It gets me hyped, you know, gets the adrenaline pumping.” His clarity comes from gratitude. “It would be quite wrong of me to find things to complain about in today’s world of electronic music,” he says. “I’m personally really grateful for what I have and what it’s brought to my life.” KAAZE isn’t resisting the industry. He’s reclaiming his space within it.
Soundtracking the Future: KAAZE’s Vision Beyond the Charts
As a techno and electronic artist, climbing into DJ Mag’s Top 100 is no small feat—but KAAZE wears it lightly. “It’s an honour to be Top 48 DJ in the world,” he says. But what excites him more is the broader cultural shift. “Another amazing thing happening in the scene right now is that music has started to ‘speak for itself’ again,” he adds. “Which gives a lot of new upcoming artists big chances.” For a producer who’s already remixed legends like Guetta and Sia, the future is wide open. His ultimate dream collaboration? “It has to be French artist Stromae—I love his work,” he says without hesitation. But even more than collabs or rankings, he’s focused on impact. “When people hear my music, however long into the future,” he says, “I just hope that it can take them back to a special place and memory.” To KAAZE, legacy means feeling—not fame.
