Recently I connected with Kai Alce and had a great conversation.
Kai Alcé is a New York-born, Detroit-raised, and living-in Atlanta DJ and Producer. His brand NDATL touches the 3 cities that represent him.
What kept you motivated and kept you busy during this pandemic?
Kai: During the pandemic, fortunately, or unfortunately, however, you want to look at it. I started to concentrate on working on my eyewear line, which I have been previously working on. It just made me stop and say go ahead, do that and get it done. When I'm DJing, you know I said I was going to do those things, but I was surely moving, making a step. I also joined Bandcamp because a lot of my record label was more so focused on vinyl so a lot of it was not out there digitally. So, I jumped into that. Between those two things, they not only kept me focused but also helped me to keep the lights on. Once things started getting back together again, I slowly started to do things in the states. It seems a by-product of the pandemic, there seems to be a rejuvenation of new places in America that are interested in the music. It's almost as if they realize that a lot of these DJs that are going overseas there are here and right in our backyard.
Playing House Music in New Orleans is slightly different because we don't typically associate House Music there. However, Kai has been invited to play there. But Kai is not just a House Music guy. He plays good music. Kai plays good music that feels good and sounds good too. Oftentimes, Kai puts himself in the shoes of those that come out to see him at the parties. He often wonders, if he was out on the floor, trying to get a drink, what would I want to hear right now that would make me want to dance? I think that's how he sometimes hit us with some really nice tracks. And we go for it every time and we have a really great time.
We've talked before and you mentioned that your record collection was your retirement fund. All that vinyl and all that music. Did you feel that you needed to go digital because of the pandemic or were you just trying to get that music out to more people that way?
Kai: Yes, definitely but it was more for my record label as it primarily focused on putting vinyl pieces. So I just went back and put a little bit more of the catalog out digitally. Some of the titles are still vinyl only, but it's definitely more things on Bandcamp than there might be on some of the other bigger platforms. I'm not on Spotify and I won't go on Spotify because of how they treat the artist. I do enough remixes and other projects for other people. So, they will be able to find me on Spotify, if they should choose. I'm not hard to find. I'm Kai Alce everywhere. I'm Kai Alce on Facebook. I'm Kai Alce on IG. I'm Kai Alce on Twitter. I'm Kai Alce Eyewear. I can't hide.
This multi-talented DJ and Producer are good at both of them. However, his favorite is DJing because that's what he started doing. Production was something he got into later. And even now, he doesn't wake up and jump in wanting to make a track. I wake up just wanting to play some records.
With that being the case, Kai finds the inspiration to create some of these amazing tracks and the remixes from the DJ experiences that he's had as a DJ. When he's remixing a track, he thinks about what room he wants to be in. Then he builds around that. Oftentimes, he gets things finished on his own, and sometimes he'll call on his keyboard guys. Maestros - Chris Irving, Ricky, Delvyn, and Byron are his 4 go-to guys. They always flush out any ideas and help with getting to the finished product.
When I asked Kai who would he like to work with dead or alive? He said he would love to remix or still have the possibilities of remixing a Prince record. A favorite city to play in is a tough one because for him home is always the best. Even though he's had great times in other cities, New York came to mind since he had just recently played there and had an awesome weekend. Europe has treated him pretty nicely and Italy has always been welcoming as well as Germany and London. He's had good experiences in them all and they were all nights to remember.
Being that you've been in the industry quite some time, a Morehouse graduate like yourself. You've been in Atlanta and you know that people credit you as part of bringing House Music to formation in Atlanta. I know you credit Ron Pullman and some other people that were doing it. Then you came into the space. What would you say was the best year for House Music? Was it in the 90s, 2000s, or recent years? What would you say was your best year?
Kai: Worldwide the early 90s would have been the best. 89 - 92, 93 just worldwide. There were hits that we still sing now. Tears to The Whistle Song to Finally. A lot of the foundations came out during that time. We were being recognized and received by the world. Then I would say the next period for me would have been my years at MJQ. 1997 - 2003. For about 5-6 years, it was like Wow! This is really crazy. What made it so hot was that it was weekly and it was all walks of life. You had your kids that had locs, you had yuppies from Buckhead. It was just a wild bunch of people that really came to enjoy the music for a good solid amount of years. The Hip Hop night didn't start until about 5 years into the House night years.
When you come and check out Kai's parties you'll see that he draws a diverse crowd. There are Black, White, Asian, Straight, and LBGTQ, all having a good time. More importantly, people are dancing. There's not a lot of conversation unless you're at the bar. People know when they come on the floor they come to dance. Everyone is having a good time and exchanging smiles regardless of the culture or race and it feels really good. Kai has always been able to pull people together.
When you throw your parties and events, it's really good and it's really a great feeling. Because of that, that's probably why you're the 4th man for House In The Park. You're the best anchor dude to close us out. We're 17 years in and going into the next year, how does it feel doing it year after year?
Kai: That's one of the things that's so amazing you could never bottle it or put it in words. So many moments from different House In The Parks and different times. It comes in all different forms. Seeing people, just the song. It's always something. It's a beautiful feeling.
During House In The Park, when we look good up there Kai, you look like the maestro. You always have a sense of confidence, we always like what you wear, down to the eyewear. Whether we're in the pavilion or the tennis courts, it doesn't matter, we know you're going to do us a solid in closing us out. With that being the case, what are your expectations, or how do you feel playing at Charivari? How do you think it's going to be for you there?
Kai: This will be my 3rd time playing there as I've played there twice before. This year will be different as it will be all House In the Park guys. Previously, it's been great. I've watched it grow and turn into something else. I think the new location gives it room to breathe. I'm really looking forward to it. This coalition of House In The Park, Charivari, Chicago's Chosen Few, and out west, The West Coast Weekender, we're 4 black major festivals that go on here in America. It's not so much working together, it's more like propping each other up and bringing light to each other.
Kai Alce lives in Atlanta and is the owner of NDATL Muzik and Kai Alce Eyewear. Follow him on Twitch/Kai Alce and follow him on FB / IG to know when he'll be playing in your city or country
