Having mastered art of modern production, Belgium’s Olivier Grégoirehas become one of the world’s most renowned dance music artists, with a bevy of high-profile releases under his various pseudonyms. You may know him as Kolombo, the house player with a discography that charts esteemed imprints like Diynamic, Noir Music, Suara, Turbo, and most recently Dirtybird, with the summer 2018 single “It’s Gettin’ Hot.” Though he’s also made waves as the LouLou Players with his partner Jerome. Together they’ve toured the world, and launched the LouLou Records imprint, a house label with several releases from Kolombo and the Players.
With shows at Belgium’s Tomorrowland, all across America, in Russia, Australia, and in the hip party capital of Berlin, the past few years have seen Kolombo’s star continue to rise as a DJ almost everywhere. But especially in South America, where he regularly plays festivals, along with clubs.
It’s apparent that Kolombo’s work ethic, consistency, and spirit of open-minded creativity have been the key ingredients for his success so far, and it is with that in mind that we took the time last week to speak with the in-demand artists.
Hello mate, thanks for the chat with us today. We are of course talking to you from the other side of the world… but where exactly are you at the moment?
At home in Namur. Belgium.
You’re from Belgium, something perhaps not all of your fans know. Do you still live there now?
Yes, I’m still living in Belgium.
While perhaps not as known in our industry as some of the bigger countries in Europe, Belgium has a fantastic scene with many great artists regularly coming out of the woodwork. How do you view the scene in your home country and who are some of the emerging artists from Belgium we should keep an eye and ear on?
The electronic music scene in Belgium is really techno now, we can see that with Charlotte de Witte and Amelie Lens which are the biggest at the moment, they are making a huge success worldwide. But you definitely should keep the eye on Maxim Lany and Ramon Tapia I think they are the next ones. In fact I just did a remix for Maxim Lany on Moonbootique Rec, it’s gonna be releases next year.
You’ve released on countless world-renowned labels, and when going through the list I can see just how well-respected they are while also diverse they are in sound. Do you feel your current sound is eclectic or do you think it has simply evolved through the years and via your countless hours in the studio?
I could say it’s eclectic, yeah. Also that the countless time in studio counts (laughs). Actually, it depends on my mood at the time, and on that day. Sometimes I am more funky, sometimes more melodic, or something else, but lately I’ve been more in the mood to produce house and techno.
Talking about studio, are you more a fan of hardware or software?
Definitely hardware. I’m actually a hardware nerd.
What are some of your favourite hardwares?
MKS-80, MKS-50, Jupiter 4, Siel Opera 6, Nord Rack, Roland SH32 to name a few.
And how about software and plug-ins?
I use plug-ins for rev/delay, comp/limit via UAD soundcard and also for synth because it’s more synthetic bright and digital sound, sometimes I need in between for my dirty old analog stuff.
How do you work in the studio? Do you follow any rituals or production processes?
I don’t have any ritual, I like to wake up early get a huge mug of coffee and go to studio. But sometimes I can do a lot in 1h, just magic happens, but sometimes I can spend a week and nothing good comes out.
What are 3 of your most valued advice about music production you would give a beginning producer?
Invest in old second hand hardware, try to be different than others, and never give up.
How about productivity and getting your music actually released by legit labels: what do you feel are some of the key lessons you’ve learned in your career as far as mastering these steps goes?
I believe that the main key is to dedicate yourself to a good, well-done track rather than make 20 in a month. Quality, not quantity.
You’ve been inspired by many greats in music, both in electronic music and not. Who would you say are some of today’s artists that influence you as a producer and DJ?
Al Green, Stevie Wonder, Syl Johnson, Bill Withers, Todd Terry, Master at Work, Kenny Larkin, Carl Craig to name a few.
Beyond the studio, our industry and the way producers, DJs and labels operate has changed over the years, especially as technology has continued to evolve. What are some of the key lessons you have learned from these changes?
Today it’s way easier with the digital, but also more competitive. Time changes, and so does technology, but to be honest I am like a dinosaur; I am really attached to my old school analog machines and my dirty Cubase program.
Beyond the studio, what would you say your three biggest interests are?
Good moments with my wife, friends and dogs. Doing normal things…
What is your favourite every-day meal?
Pasta and Pizza.
What is your favourite “ethnic” dish?
Thai and Japanese.
If you could watch one spot for the rest of your life, what would you watch?
A beautiful beach.
Who is your favourite non-electronic music artist?
Al Green.
Do you have a favourite city?
New York
Pioneer or Xone?
Pioneer
CDJs or Technics?
CDJs
If you could invent any app or website in the world, what would it be?
I’m not saying, someone could steal my idea! (laughs)
You’ve played practically everywhere in the world. Is there still one location in the world you dream of playing one day?
Canada where I played only 2 times! I’d love to go back.
Connect with Kolombo: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | SoundCloud | Beatport
