EDM producer Kastis Torrau hails from Lithuania and specialises in melodic techno and house.
Kastis has earned a fierce, global reputation in the studio and live on stage, his name synonymous with memorable performances and addictive beats. His success has taken him from small, local venues in his home town to playing the biggest festivals and clubs in the world.
This October it will be Australia's turn to experience Kastis live when he performs at Elements Festival. It will also be Kastis very first time in Australia, so we caught up with him beforehand to find out what he has in store for us and to get the lowdown on Lithuania.
What have been some of the major highlights of your year so far?
I would highlight newly visited places and discovered cultures. I'm starting new projects and taking solid steps toward my dreams.
What do you tell people when they ask what you do for a living?
Short answer is I do what I love and that helps me to live happy.
If more detailed – I have business far from music [sic] actually and other activities which helps me and my family feel stable in life. This allows me to improvise freely and feel free in my dreams related to music.
How are you approaching your set at Elements Festival?
Feeling a bit thrilled and anxious about it because it will be my debut show in Australia and no doubt it even makes me more excited; looking forward to it.
While you're at Elements Festival, where would we find you when you're not onstage?
Most likely I'll be chatting with the people I'll meet there. Love meeting new people especially from new countries and cultures.
What has been your experience with Australian dance crowds and the way they interact with your music live?
Australian dance crowds I will get to know closely for the first time. I have friends living out there and with couple of them, we have known each other many years already. Some of them we were playing same gigs in other parts of the world, with others we have joint creative projects. Music connects people all around the globe.
Tell us about your label and radio show 'Lights Out'?
It started from a show on a local radio station. After some time passed, we decided to begin releasing our own productions and guest releases from artists we admire. From that moment things started getting serious every day.
This year you've released a tribute track to the late Cassius producer Philippe Zdar; how close were you two and what influence did he have on your own career?
That re-work was born few years back when Zdar was alive. The re-work came with the annual compilation called 'Report’; the idea was to compile all tracks we made during the current year.
After his loss, we decided to share the re-work with fans and give a little tribute to his big talent with our touch to remember. It's a huge loss for all the electronic music industry. Philippe Zdar was a big talent for me and from early days of my career his works was on my radar and playlists.
Is there a philosophy that guides and informs what you do as a producer?
Philosophy is quite simple – do what makes you feel excited and feel [sic] goosebumps.
What have been some of the major contributions of Lithuanian producers to the global EDM scene?
To be honest, we can feel proud how many Lithuanians are doing very well in electronic music scene and have achieved really big things during the past [few] years. The names of artists are well known around the globe and playing at major world festivals and leading clubs or events.
Are there any other projects you're working on at the moment?
I started a long-matured [sic] project and change I wanted if we speak music. My new collaboration is with an old studio friend, Arnas; after a long period of time both working on solo productions we started a duo project.
I would really like to tell more about it now, but need to keep myself in control and talk reservedly until essential things are finished. Promise to detail when everything will be sorted. Work first, talking afterwards. I feel happy and enjoying being able to travel the world and try out how those new ideas are working on different dance floors, taking advantages from that and using impressions for improvement.
Elements Festival gig will be the perfect chance to give it a try.
