[EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW] KC LIGHTS SHARES INCITE ON THE NEW EDIT OF HIS HIT SONG, ‘HOLD ON’, PLANS FOR THE FUTURE, AND MORE.

A master of bridging house music with soulful sound design, KC Lights has evolved into one of the most infectious artists out of Europe. Hailing from Scotland, this imaginative producer has racked up over 1.3 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone. But it’s not just music fans that love KC Lights signature style, his uplifting melodies and energetic basslines have been supported by the likes of Carl Cox, Calvin Harris, Fisher, CamelPhat, and Claptone.

On top of his mesmerizing production catalog, KC Lights is known for his prowess behind the decks and ability to deliver captivating sets. As a result, he has blessed crowds at prominent festivals and venues, such as Tomorrow land, ADE, and Creamfields. 

Now, while prepping for thrilling future tour dates, KC Lights has revisiting his 2021 hit single, “Hold On”, featuring Kye Sones. Building on the powerful track, he has released a dazzling festival piano edit for it. We linked up with KC Lights so he could give the low-down on his new rendition of “Hold On” and other components of his project.

You started learning how to play the saxophone at age six, then not long after became a multi-instrumentalist. Why do you think you were so musically driven at a young age?

I grew up in a very musical home. There was always music playing, usually from at least one room in the house. I have three brothers and a sister, so often you’d hear a couple of different genres blasting from different rooms. I’ve never been fussy with my musical taste so I became a fan of every genre. 

Furthermore, I was always really drawn to creating when it came to music. There was a piano at my grandparent’s house and I remember any time I was there being glued to it, messing around with different melodies and rhythms, just for fun.

What is the most important thing you learned while pursuing your degree in music and why has it stuck with you?

Without a doubt, the most essential thing I learned whilst at University, and it’s incredibly simple, was that your ears are your most significant tool. It might go without saying, but it’s very easy to get caught up technically analyzing music when sometimes all you need to do is really listen and trust your ears.

When first launching your project, what was the toughest challenge you faced when trying to get booked for shows? How were you able to overcome it?

I’ve found that the toughest part was actually “trying” to get booked for shows. I’ve always led my project with the music first and I think the most critical lesson I’ve learned is to just be patient and have faith that things will build organically.

The new festival piano mix of your hit collab “Hold On” with Kye Sones is very uplifting and energetic. What sparked the idea to create this rendition of the original? What was the process behind creating the main piano progression in it?

The original already had a lot of energy but I really wanted a version that had a kind of 90s rave sound to it. I played some big chords on an M1 piano over the vocal and it worked out perfectly. 

What type of vibe and emotions do you think this piano edit aligns with when compared to the initial 2021 release? Why is it significant for producers to create multiple versions of their tracks?      

I love putting together different versions of a track and repurposing it for different settings, it’s something I’ve always done. It’s kind of how I write all of my music. I throw down a bunch of different ideas and just pull out the best ones!

Why did you hold onto this edit for the last two years and choose now to release it?

It was actually originally just an edit I wrote for my sets. It’s always fun having exclusives that are unreleased to play out. I got such a great reaction every time I played it. This led to the label Sola contacting me that they wanted to put it out.

What makes your festival piano edit of “Hold On” a great option to close out your sets with? What are some of your go-to transitions and DJ effects while playing this song?

I love building up the energy levels towards the end of my sets. This track is the optimal peak-time tool for that. I also feel like it has an end-of-the-night kind of vibe to it as well.      

You have a bunch of exciting tour dates across the next few months. How do you keep your energy up during shows that are on consecutive days in a row? Are there any venues or performances you are most excited about?

Touring obviously doesn’t lend itself well to a healthy sleeping schedule. I’ve found that as long as I’m eating well, exercising when I can, and testing out new music each gig, I’m always super excited for the next show.

Which artists would you love to collab with for the first time this year, and why? 

I’ve been loving everything LP Giobbi is doing at the moment. There’s a real soulfulness and fun energy to her music, so I would love to work on some stuff with her.

What are your biggest goals as an artist for 2023? How do you plan on accomplishing them?  

I’m just really pumped to put out all the music I’ve been sitting on! I’ve got some awesome collaborations that are coming out this year and some very exciting shows in the diary. I can’t wait to be doing more of the same!