Interview with Kenshi Kamaro: A Journey Through Music, Loss, and Timeless Art

From Hospice Sessions to New Albums – A Producer’s Reflection on Life and Sound

In this heartfelt and candid interview, producer and music enthusiast Einar opens up about his creative journey, the profound impact of friendship, and the ever-evolving landscape of electronic music. From collaborating with his late friend Patrick during hospice stays to crafting new albums that blend nostalgia with innovation, Einar shares his thoughts on production, DJing, and the soul of artistry. He also reflects on favorite tracks, influential labels, and his vision for music in an age of artificial sounds. Whether discussing underground scenes, personal inspirations, or future projects, this conversation is a deep dive into the mind of an artist who believes music is more than sound—it’s life itself.

Hello Einar! How are you today, and what have you been up to lately?
Hello Guys, Where should I start:
The last 6 months I spent some of my time with my good fella & friend Patrick, aka (PatyPat/Drum Pat) in the hospice. He was diagnosed with brain cancer.
He had his DJ setup in the hospice—turntables, mixer, computer, and speakers. I also lent him my CDJs. We made sessions together, like we did when we first met and started learning how to use Ableton back in the day, along with VSTs.
We also tried to create music together. Even the caretakers tried to make music with him. Patrick died in peace on the Easter weekend.
I met some new friends and old friends. Also, in these 6 months, I produced a lot of new tracks and made some new presets.

Can you briefly share when you started producing music, your first piece of equipment or software, and reflect on your debut release?
My first equipment was a Korg Electribe ER1 Mk2 & ES1 Mk2, Korg MS-20 Controller, Native Instruments Komplete 5, and my Technics 1210 Mk2 with my Pioneer 600. I used Sony’s Acid Pro and Logic Express as my DAW in the beginning.
My first attempts at creating music were under the AKA Glitch Slicey/Testphase/Dirty-Pan.da/Jay Former.
I first started sampling sounds back in 2005-2008, but the real journey began in 2008/2009 with Patrick, Simon, and Markus, using Ableton and VSTs.

Did you have a mentor or take any lessons, either offline or online, to enhance your skills?
Not really mentors, but friends. I looked over the shoulder of Nils Noa in 2003 when he made the Essential Mix for BBC Radio 1 in Oslo, as I visited him back in the day.
I was totally inspired—I was 23 years old and wanted to produce music at that time, but I was sick for a long time. So, to cure a part of me, I produced and learned to mix again. In 2005, I started buying equipment and software. In 2008/2009, I met Patrick, Simon, and Markus. We learned from each other in different ways of making music. I had a lot of pseudonyms/aliases.
During the Corona time, I took an online school for audio engineering.
I also used to watch tutorials from different sources, but the best advice is still learning by doing on your own to gain experience.

Do you have a preference between producing music and DJing?
I don’t call myself a DJ, but I also love to spin tracks.
I create music because it allows me to build entire worlds—crafting a story, a meaning, an answer, or even a question. With it, I can express both fiction and real-life experiences. Music is my way of connecting with other creative minds and music lovers. If you were to ask me in a few years, I'd say my goal is to create music for movies, series, or even video games. I want my work to make a difference by offering a deeper understanding of the stories I tell in my songs.

What do you consider the highlight of your career so far, both as a DJ and a producer?
I would say, as a producer, my album on Another Life Music, Nature, and the new one that’s coming soon.
As a DJ, surely the Summerside Festival experience I made and will make.

How did you first learn about The Audio Atelier (& sublabels), and could you mention some of your favorite releases on the labels?
Through Social Networking with Good Fellas and Mouth 2 Mouth Propaganda ;)

Many artists have a signature sound or style. How do you balance staying true to your artistic identity while also experimenting and evolving as an artist?
I don’t have a specific style; I try to make more of a signature sound that reminds beat & music lovers that music can be timeless.

The music industry has undergone significant changes in recent years, with streaming platforms and digital distribution reshaping the landscape. What are your thoughts on the current state of the industry, and how have these changes affected your career?
Art is creation. We cannot stop the progress of the past and the future. Whether vinyl or cassettes, CDs, minidiscs, media players, etc. What we can do, however, is honor the works of creation that are timeless and have inspired and touched us, both in our minds and in our hearts. What I fear is that we will soon enjoy more artificially produced music that has no soul or personality, merely an illusion for our thoughts and everyday life, that no longer has any value, and that art itself will be lost. Music is art, and art is life.

What are some of your favorite record labels, and do you have a specific goal or aspiration to release your music on a particular label in the near future?
My favorite labels—hmmm, I’m old-school in terms of labels:

• Bedrock

• Anjuna

• Finger Lickin’ Good

• Noom

• Bonzai

• Lot49

• Planet Noise

• OHM

• XL Records

• Another Life Music

• 3rd Avenue

• Mystic Carousel

• Ninja Tune

• Black Hole

• Yoshitoshi

• Poker Flat

• Y4K

Can you share some insights about the current underground music scene in Switzerland?
Psssst: It’s the Underground, not Mainstream ;)

Besides music, do you have any other passions or hobbies?

• Traveling around Switzerland and the world with my family when money is around

• Cooking

• Chill & Grill

• Nintendo Gaming

Are there any books, documentaries, podcasts, or TV shows that you'd like to recommend to your fans and fellow artists?
Books:

• The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams

• Warrior of the Light & The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho

Series:

• Cowboy Bebop (Anime Version & Netflix Version)

• Breaking Bad

• Star Wars

Documentaries:

• Berlin Calling

• Trainspotting

• Monty Python: The Meaning of Life

• Batman (The Dark Knight)

Could you share some of your all-time favorite tracks or songs that have had a significant impact on your musical journey?

• Depeche Mode – John the Revelator

• Len Faki – Kraft und Licht

• Elite Force – Heart of Darkness

• Yves Deruyter – Outsider

• Westbam – Beatbox Rocker

• Cybotron – Clear (1983)

• Marrs – Pump Up the Volume

• Octave One – Black Water

• DJ Roland – Jaguar

• Oliver Huntemann – Sorgenbrecher

• Trentemøller – Chameleon

• Cosmic Gate – Under Your Spell

• 16 Bit Lolitas – Goodbye Pluto

• The Prodigy – Firestarter

• Future Sound of London – Papua New Guinea

• Bermuda Triangle – Mooger Fooger

• Luzon – Baguio Track

• Rui da Silva – Touch Me

• Drowning Pool – Bodies

• System of a Down – Chop Suey

• Nirvana – Lithium

• Foo Fighters – The Pretender

• Iron Maiden – The Trooper

• Metallica – Enter Sandman

• War – Low Rider

• Simple Minds – Don’t You (Forget About Me)

• Deee-Lite – Groove Is in the Heart

• Massive Attack – I Against I

• Massive Attack – Angel

• OutKast – Hey Ya!

• 2Pac – How Do U Want It

• Gramatik – The Drink Is Called Rakija

• Marteria – Bengalischer Tiger

• Marteria – Verstrahlt

• Underworld – Always Loved a Film

• Underworld – Born Slippy

• Bob Marley – Three Little Birds

• Depeche Mode – Enjoy the Silence

• The Presets – Are You the One?

• Chopin – Nocturne in C Minor

• Sade – Smooth Operator

• Masta Ace – Born to Roll

• Paul Kalkbrenner – Azure

• Burial – Archangel

What can we look forward to from you in the near future?
"Old School Paradise"—my new album coming soon.
A journey through the past, present, and future past in beats and melody.

Follow Kenshi Kamaro here: Instagram | Soundcloud | Spotify