Kidnap drops “Fortified” ft. Dwara, Out Now + Exclusive Interview

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with the talented London producer, DJ, multi-instrumentalist, and lyricist, Kidnap, to discuss his latest single, “Fortified” featuring Dwara. Many of you might already be familiar with Kidnap, also known as Matt Relton, from his hit single “Moments” with Ben Böhmer and Nils Hoffmann, which has surpassed an impressive 54 million streams on Spotify.

It was truly an honor to spend time with Kidnap and gain deeper insights into his journey and the making of this latest track. I encourage you all to turn on “Fortified” and enjoy this in-depth conversation with one of the most exciting up-and-comers in the music scene. It is my absolute pleasure to introduce you to Kidnap.

What’s the story behind choosing the name ‘Kidnap’ for your artist alias?
It is a long story, but the short version is I accidentally faked my own kidnapping as a teenager, resulting in a lengthy court process and eventually three months of community service.

So, when exactly did you decide to remove ‘Kid’ from the name?
In 2017. When my hair began turning grey I felt I could no longer call myself a kid.

Your sound is described as emotive and atmospheric. What influences and experiences shape the mood of your music?
I am genuinely mystified as to why music sounds the way it does. It seems to have a life of its own. I encourage everyone to try making music simply because you never really know what’s going to come out. I find it fascinating. I dislike pretence and so I think perhaps I’m trying to speak to the quiet truthful voice of the listener when writing.

You’ve just released “Fortified” featuring Dwara, your second single from your upcoming album. This is a different vibe to “Overgrown,” what was the intention with this track when you started writing it? What do you think this single brings to the overall album that’s coming later this year?
My intention originally was to make a club track that felt otherworldly but also made people dance. I had planned to leave it as an instrumental at first but it became a favourite with the label and myself and so we decided to develop it further. It brings energy to the album as a whole. “Fortified” is positioned after a few of the more downtempo tracks and kicks the album back into dancing mode.

How did you end up working with Dwara on this one, did you write the track first and then think she was the perfect voice that had to go with it?
I was introduced to Dwara through [PIAS]. She is based in Madrid but was passing by London for a few days and so we booked two days at the studio with our friend Sinai. I was playing through music I’d been working on and this track stood out as everyone’s favourite. I really do think she has the perfect voice for the track – beautiful and moody and effortless.

Where do you think is the absolute perfect setting to listen to this track? Does it transport you to somewhere of your own when you listen to it?
The opening of this track brings me a vision of a huge red rocky landscape at sunrise – an eagle circling high above, hot air shimmering on the horizon – perhaps the deserts of Rajasthan.

The first single from the album is the recent “Overgrown” featuring Leo Stannard. What was the creative process like when producing this and what inspired the collaboration?
It was quite a drawn out process to arrive at the finished song. I wrote the chords at home one evening then put them to one side. Later that week I had a studio session booked with Oliver Winters and we fleshed out the wider instrumental together. I spent a long time afterwards trying to find the right lyrics for the song. Eventually the lyrics and story came together on a day spent writing with my friend Sinai Tedros. Sinai has been a part of quite a few tracks on the upcoming album.

Can you tell me more about the song and what inspired this single?
“Overgrown” is a song about missing my friends. My life has changed considerably over the last few years with the arrival of a daughter. It has been a beautiful experience but also a time consuming one. I wanted to write a song that captured the nostalgia I was feeling for those young carefree years.

Can you shed some light on your upcoming artist album with [PIAS] Électronique?
The new album Something Lost, Something Gained tracks the process of the last two years mentioned above. It starts with nostalgia and reflection and move towards acceptance. Ultimately it’s about letting go of the past in order to fully embrace the life I have in front of me. Sonically speaking, it’s punchier than much of my previous music.

You’ve had hit records on labels such as Anjunadeep and Armada. Can you elaborate on your experiences working with different labels?
Typically in the past I have just written music by myself and sent the finished product to labels to release. This was the case with Anjunadeep and Armada. However, with my new album the process has been different and [PIAS] have been more involved in helping to develop the music.

How did you know Leo Stannard was the right vocalist for this track? And how long did it take once he got the lyrics to finish producing this track? Leo and I have been releasing music together for nearly a decade, so he was the first person that came to mind once this song was finished. It felt right to launch the next chapter with Leo, especially as the song is written about my younger years, of which he was such an important part. He sent the vocals back a few days after he received the lyrics and they were perfect – a real pro.

How has your sound evolved since you released your debut artist album in 2019?
I like to think it has improved! It’s definitely more energetic and self assured now. I spent much of the last five years studying – music theory, production, song writing – which has inevitably impacted my style. I look back on some of my older music and see it as overly floral and reliant on an abundance of melody. I’ve tried to simplify the music – aiming for quality over quantity of information.

What are the biggest challenges you face as a producer, and how do you overcome them?
Personally my biggest challenge by far is self-doubt. I find the process of finishing and releasing music to be something of a psychological battle. The melodies come fairly easily – finishing the songs before I convince myself they’re no good is the difficult part. I’m yet to find a foolproof way to overcome this unfortunately. I’m open to advice!

Do you find that record labels tend to approach you, or do you actively seek partnerships with them when you’re preparing to release new music?
Some labels will approach me, some I have long standing relationships with and some I will approach to make new partnerships – not always successfully. It’s really a case by case basis.

What does it feel like securing radio play from Pete Tong on BBC Radio 1? And do you remember where you were when you first heard your music on the radio?
I was sat in my bedroom whilst at university in Leeds listening to Huw Stephens on BBC Radio 6 Music and he played a song of mine. It was 2012 but I forget which track it was.

Of course it is surreal to hear your music be played by legends like Pete on BBC Radio 1, however, I’ve often found these moments to be anticlimactic. The excitement for me is all in the process of creation. Everything after that feels a little muted.

What is your songwriting process? Do you sit down with a yellow pad and write or do songs just come to you in your sleep?
I would love to say they arrive in my sleep but unfortunately that very rarely happens. I spend days and weeks sat at the piano trying to dig the songs out. It often feels like an archeological process, unearthing fragments of something that feels preexisting and trying to work out how they all slot together. For me it is typically harmony first, melody second, lyrics third.

Technology plays a crucial role in modern music production. Are there any tools or software that are indispensable to your workflow?
I’m fairly technologically inept so I don’t use anything too fancy. The one thing I couldn’t live without is my sampler. I find that layering some ‘real life’ in amongst the electronic elements is essential. Even if it is imperceptible to the listener, it always helps bring the music to life.

Are you planning a tour to support the new single or are you waiting until the album is released?
Yes definitely. I am planning a tour but it will be once the album is out. I want people to hear the full thing before I play the music in a live setting.

What headphones are around your neck? And are you using something different on stage than what you’re using in the studio?
I use Samson Z55 headphones in the studio and Sennheiser HD 25 headphones when performing.

Beyond music production, are there any other creative outlets or hobbies that inspire you?
Dance is the other medium that has a grip on me. My music has been hugely inspired by the work of Akram Kahn and Wayne Mcgregor. I spent a portion of my twenties in ballet class (a humbling process) but never managed to express myself in the way I can with music.

Did you catch the latest from DJ Mag? They’ve unveiled the Top 100 Clubs for 2024, and Hï Ibiza takes the top spot again. What’s your opinion on Ibiza, any plans to return this summer?
To be honest, I do not love Ibiza. I’ve had some fun times there over the years, and I will of course perform there again if invited, but for me, the island is ruined by money. In my opinion, good parties are synonymous with a sense of unity and charging 20 Euro for a beer pretty much destroys that.

We’ve talked about a lot of stuff today. But what else can you tell me about Kidnap, the new single, and the new LP?
I suppose what I would like to say is that making albums is really hard. It is tempting to maintain a nonchalant image when releasing music but I increasingly find that to be disingenuous. I’ve poured every ounce of energy I have into this.

Thanks for doing this. That was fun! In all the interviews I do, I always give the artist the last word. Go.
Thanks for the questions! I enjoyed answering them. Check out my new singles “Fortified” feat. Dwara and “Overgrown” feat. Leo Stannard!