{"id":16766,"date":"2019-08-08T11:00:26","date_gmt":"2019-08-08T09:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xceed.me\/blog\/?p=16766"},"modified":"2023-05-18T09:01:46","modified_gmt":"2023-05-18T07:01:46","slug":"interview-with-juliet-sikora-coowner-of-kittball-records","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xceed.me\/blog\/en\/interview-with-juliet-sikora-coowner-of-kittball-records\/","title":{"rendered":"Interview with Juliet Sikora: \u201cI see EDM as a big opportunity for all the underground scene\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

It all started in Dortmund, where Juliet Sikora<\/a> has lived since she was 3 years old. Juliet is a tech-house and deep house DJ, selector and producer. Groove is her flag, but she always tries to give a personal touch to her music, a touch of elegance, of subtlety. Juliet’s music moves away from easy drops and strident percussions. So does all the music released on Kittball Records<\/a>. We are talking about one of the most successful tech-house and deep house labels of the last decade, leading the charts of platforms like Beatport along with other big brands like Hot Creations, Get Physical or Deeperfect. Juliet runs the label alongside Tube & Berger<\/a>, a reference duo in the tech scene since the early 2000s. Together, they have conquered some of the best European clubs, such as the English Egg, the Belgian Labyrinth, the Paris Rex or the Germans Mayday and Parookaville. And, of course, they are regulars at big and unmissable events like ADE in Amsterdam or the OFF Week in Barcelona<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hi, Juliet. Maybe this is a weird question, but, tell us: who are you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I hope they\u2019re all that easy! (laughs) My name is Juliet Sikora, and I\u2019m a very happy, of course good looking (laughs), and a musically housie and groovy DJ with 20 years of experience.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

You were born in Poland, but I guess you feel more German\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

You’re doing well… I was born at Gro\u03b2 Strehlitz, which, although it has a German name, belongs to Poland. However, I moved to Dortmund being 3 years old and I\u2019m still here. It\u2019s not the prettiest city in the world, but people are honest. That’s what I like here. And BVB, of course!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We can consider yourself German, then.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019d say so, yes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"juliet<\/a>
Juliet Sikora, during a Kittball Records’ showcase. | Image: \u00a9 Juliet Sikora’s Facebook<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tell us about the scene in Dortmund.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We have a very changing but interesting clubbing scene. I have my own parties here for years, and they use to work pretty well.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tube & Berger created Kittball Records in 2006\u2026 and then they went for you.<\/strong><\/p>\n

That\u2019s it. It was in 2009 when they headhunted me and offered me to be the co-owner of the label.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

That\u2019s how all started?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Not really. It all started in 2004. I was driving on the highway, back home after visiting my boyfriend. Mr Berger called me and said they were interested in working with me. They asked me if I was a singer! I told them: “No, I’m a DJ, let\u2019s produce together.\u201d That’s how “Together Now” was born, the track it all started with. Years later, I was told that Berger called me because he had fallen in love with one of my press kit pics. (laughs)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"tube<\/a>
Tube & Berger, founders of Kittball Records, playing a DJ set. | Image: \u00a9 Tube & Berger’s Facebook<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Can\u2019t believe it! And now, friends\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes, now we are brothers and sister. All Kittball is like a family. The guys live in Solingen, 60 km away from Dortmund, so everyone is taking care of everyone here.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kittball Records: how does it sound? <\/strong><\/p>\n

We started as a tech-house and deep house label until 2013\/2014. We led Beatport sales in those genres. Then, deep house wasn\u2019t attractive for the audience anymore, so we decided to change to new sounds and directions. After some doubts, we found our spot in more housie and groovy sounds. Actually, we release all the music we receive and we like, but it\u2019s good to have a defined style.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Is it? What are the benefits of defining an accurate style?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Think about this: I get a lot of demos every day that have nothing to do with our style. Imagine what it would be like if we didn’t have an accurate style!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n