Shift K3Y has been on my radar for some time, blending house with some old-school UK garage vibes. With his upcoming second Nit3 Tales release coming out yesterday and featuring collaborations with MJ Cole, DJ Zinc and Chris Lorenzo, here’s more from the man himself…
Tell us more about the Nit3 Tales project and what it means to you?
I started the Nit3 Tales project because i like the idea of releasing E.P’s as opposed to single song releases for the moment. The reason for this is my music doesn’t always fit into one genre so this way i can put a few different ideas together.
The project features a few interesting collaborations. How did they come about?
They are all people that i have wanted to work with for a long time or people that I already collaborate with. For example, MJ Cole has been an inspiration growing up as he has always shown limitless skill in making dance music with soul and a strong musicality. Lorenzo and I had been meaning to make a track for some time and finally managed to get something together. Also Ryan Ashley and MNEK who delivered an incredible vocal for No Question.
You’ve managed to straddle the divide between chart success and underground club culture – how would you describe the evolution of your sound over the years?
Most of my stuff is more uptempo but i love to make a lot of different kinds of music. So the evolution comes from naturally from that.
Aside from the artists you’ve already worked with on Nit3 Tales, who would your dream collaboration be with?
Stevie Wonder, and why? Its Stevie.
Who do you listen to when you’re making your own music?
Mostly RnB, LOVE the Nao album, Also really like everything i’m hearing from TY Dolla Sign. I always come back to people like Outkast, Early Snoop, and everything RNB from like ’96-’04.
What’s your favourite club or festival to play?
So far clubwise would be Xoyo, Festival would be Boardmasters.
What do you have planned for the rest of the year?
Can’t say too much but something will be announced in January 2017.
Track of the week. Shift K3Y takes some trademark garage beats and gets BB Diamond to lay some soulful vocals in a way that makes it too good not to feature.
I’ve yet to hear a Shift K3Y track that I haven’t liked. Garage throwback without getting too serious.
Dirty disco from Shift K3Y and Born Dirty.
