Kölsch Would Like Pitbull to Join Him for Any of His Miami Music Week Shows

Many like to segment dance music and compartmentalize artists, but often that’s the difference between producers and fans. “I don’t know what the fuck deep house is,” Danish artist Kölsch told us from his home in Copenhagen. “I guess I know what the definitions of the different genres are, but the problem is that the sound is constantly changing. Used to be, back in the day, techno was this banging minimalist stuff, but now you’ve got techno with vocals, beautiful arrangements, and melodies. So the music is changing and constantly evolving, which makes it very interesting. Back in the day, deep house was Kerry Chandler — very deep stuff — it was superslow, and there wasn’t a lot of arrangement. It was all about a vibe, and now any old vocal track could be deep house. What happens is the music changes and the definitions stay the same, and I get confused as to what is what.”

Kölsch made his first trip to Miami in 2003, and his shows get a little better every year, but North America is just about the last continent to truly embrace him. However, everyone’s heard his sounds before. In 2003, he released "Calabria" under his other production name, Rune. Miami’s own Armando Perez, AKA Pitbull, sampled “Calabria” on his 2007 hit "The Anthem." Kölsch has graciously offered an open invitation for Mr. Worldwide to join him at any of his Miami Music Week shows.

Kölsch released an album last year titled 1983, and fans can expect another within the next two years. New music is coming from Kölsch’s new label, Ipso, which will exclusively release collaborations with other artists he admires. The first is with Michael Mayer, owner of Kompakt Records, and the second will be with Joris Voorn. He’s currently working on the third and fourth, which he hopes to finish with one of his heroes, Frenchman Laurent Garnier. “We made dogmatic rules for the label. We’re only allowed to use one instrument to make the entire record — only one synthesizer or one drum machine. It’s superinteresting when you limit yourself. It creates a completely different way of thinking about music, and it’s been an interesting process."

Kölsch's Miami Music Week started yesterday at Club Space with Agoria, Carlo Lio, Chris Liebing, Dubfire, Pan Pot, and Shaded. Kölsch goes back-to-back tonight with his good friend Joris Voorn at the All Gone Pete Tong Miami Pool Party. After some sun, he'll spend the night at Treehouse with andhim, Festa Bros, H.O.S.H., and Roman Flugel. On Friday, he headlines his Life Aquatic Yacht Party aboard Le Musette, and on Saturday, he joins more than 45 other artists for Damian Lazarus’ 24-hour Get Lost party. Again, Pitbull is invited to any and all of Kölsch’s shows.

Look for Kölsch’s signature black top hat when he’s on the decks, his trademark. “I happen to really like hats," he explains. "I have 50 or 60 different hats. It’s such a dapper, gentlemen thing. That hat becomes my second home when I’m on the road.” Also keep an eye out for Kölsch throwing back a few cold ones at a sidewalk restaurant somewhere in Miami Beach.

“In Miami, we usually go sit somewhere, get hammered drunk, and enjoy the views. Watching TV in Europe, I thought the blonds with roller skates was a fake cliché, but it’s real. You have all the spring breakers, the bros — it’s great to sit back and enjoy the view.”

Kölsch produced his first record in 1995, and 21 years later, he’s finally getting the recognition he deserves in the States. He comes to Miami on a wave from recent acclaimed sets in Chicago, Detroit, and a smashing show at Electric Zoo in New York.

“If you invest in people, they’ll invest in you," he says. "I like DJs that aren’t afraid to take chances. I like the guys that have the balls to play something different and don’t have to jump on some wagon of what’s trendy right now.”

Refreshing to hear.

See you there, Pitbull? 

All Gone Pete Tong Pool Party with Pete Tong, Kolsch, Andrea Oliva, Jackmaster, and Armand Van Helden. Noon. Thursday, March 17, at the Surfcomber, 1717 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-532-7715; surfcomber.com. Tickets cost $36.70 to $54.55 via wantickets.com.

Andhim presents Superfriends with Kölsch. 10 p.m. Thursday, March 17, at Treehouse, 323 23rd St., Miami Beach; 305-674-4478; treehousemiami.com. Tickets cost $35 via wantickets.com. 

Life Aquatic Yacht Party with Kölsch, Anthony Attalla, and more. 12 p.m. Friday, March 17, aboard the Le Musette. Tickets cost $60 to $85 via ticketfly.com. 

Get Lost Miami with Agoria, Bedouin, Behrouz, Damian Lazarus, Soul Clap, Squire, Thugfucker, Tiga, Visionquest, and more. Saturday, March 19. Time and venue TK. Tickets cost $60 plus fees via residentadvisor.net.