Hello there and welcome back to our Fierce blog! Another week of lockdown is over and we are getting closer and closer to dancing together again <3
This week we are thrilled to be speaking to the very wonderful Karis Beckingham AKA Karistocat, an amazing DJ, producer, artist and Fierce friend - having met many years ago when we were both DJing at the same Topshop gig!
After meeting Karis, one thing that always stood out for me was just how much you can tell she LOVES music and performing. Her sheer energy, passion and talent really shows after watching her play, and I think it is DJs like Karistocat that really inspires people to get into this industry in the first place!
Based in London, Karistocat is also a firm favourite presenter on Soho Radio, and since touring has not been an option lately she has also been live streaming sets on her IG (which are always FIREEEE!)
We caught up with Karis on her inspiration, what she has been doing over lockdown and what advice she has for anyone looking to get into music and production.
Listen back to Karistocat’s latest live stream mix and read our interview below!
Tell us a bit about yourself! How long have you been DJing and producing music?
I DJ and produce under the name Karistocat and have been DJing for almost 11 years, and producing for the past 2.
We also love your art! Do you find music influences what you create and helps inspire you?
Thank you! Music 100% influences my art and vice versa. I find some of my best ideas come when I'm making a track and it inspires a painting, or even a playlist on Spotify or mix I've got on in the background influences the feeling of my paintings.
What art/music are you working on right now?
Currently working on about 16 different tracks and working out what I want to do with them! A few EPs maybe, perhaps an album? I'm just in a creative space and hoping to share it all and keep exploring with it.
What kind of music/DJ's are you listening to at the moment?
Currently listening to Doc Scott's livestreams, and also his BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix is a VIBE. I've also been listening to Machinedrum's album 'A View of U', plus loving everything coming out of Hooversound, Justice's latest album 'A Two Minute Experience' and also been revisiting bands like Deftones, Modern Art, Joy Division and tonnes of darkwave.
What has been your favourite gig to date?
Saturday night/Sunday morning Leeds festival 2017 at Piccadilly Party, 3-4am. The gig was a perfect mixture enjoying every-single-second, and having no inhibitions and taking the perfect risks and a receptive and insane crowd... just WONDERFUL.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to get into DJing and music production?
It's always about the music at the end of the day. Don't be afraid of evolving, stand firm is your vision of what you want to do and KEEP GOING. Watch youtube tutorials about how to produce, start DJing in your local pubs, learn how to crowd read, and keep reaching out to people, and remember it's a marathon and not a sprint. Do everything with grace and kindness, and watch the world unfold for you.
Huge thanks to Karis for the chat, can’t wait to see you again soooon <3