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The Next Chapter: Our interview with Kllo

Catchy beats and dreamy vocals.

You’re about to hear a lot more from Melbourne duo Kllo.

Cousins Chloe Kaul and Simon Lim are set to release their second EP, have just come off an East Coast tour and are gearing up to play Splendour in the Grass.

Known for their catchy beats and dreamy vocals, the pair is one of the most promising up-and-coming acts on the scene right now. We caught up with Chloe and Simon before one of their Sydney shows to chat awkward family gatherings, fave touring essentials and what we can expect from their upcoming EP Well Worn.

Tell us about the process behind Well Worn .

The EP was written in Simon’s bungalow/studio, with the main single having 28 different versions. It was a long process that we learnt a lot from. It’s mostly about growing up and out of things, and moving on.

You’ve described the first single ‘Bolide’ as the dance track of the release. What can we expect from the others?

Some pop with UK garage influences, but mostly RnB.

You guys had a heap of interest in your debut EP, did you feel any pressure to match that with Well Worn?

Most definitely. We were still figuring out our sound during this EP, as well as wanting to do better than our previous work. We had expectations, so that was a main reason we put pressure on ourselves when writing Well Worn.

How did you guys originally start writing together? Were you always this close?

No, we weren’t always close. Our mums had this idea that we should do some recording together, so we did it for them. We were those awkward cousins that only saw each other at family get-togethers but music brought us a lot closer. We realised how much we had in common once we spent some quality time together.

Does being family make it easier to share your opinions with one another?

Particularly if someone suggests something musically the other doesn’t like? At first we didn’t really voice our opinions, we just wrote whatever together because we’re both people who don’t really like conflict. Now that we’re closer and have progressed as musicians, we’re more opinionated. We generally write well together, even though it can get tense at times. We take it more seriously now.

You guys will be hitting up Splendour soon, what can punters expect from your set?

New songs that won’t be out for a very, very long time.

If Kllo’s music could be the soundtrack to any movie, what would it be?

Interstellar.

What are your touring essentials?

Powerade and coffee.

Do you have a favourite piece of clothing?

At the moment the UNIQLO Heattech range. It keeps us warm in our heater-less studio.

Simon, how do you balance your time between your other musical projects (I’lls etc)?

Google calendar and no weekends.

Is there anything in particular you want to achieve as Kllo?

We want to get to a point where we’re happy with how far we’ve come and what we have been able to give to others. We still feel like there’s a long way to go for us, before we are satisfied with what we’ve written.

What’s set for the rest of the year?

Writing an album and plenty of touring.

Quick Fire Questions

Apologise or ask permission… ask permission.

The naughtiest thing I’ve ever done is… Maxibon thickshake.

No one knows that… Simon does a fabulous Maggie Smith impersonation.

I can’t live without… my 1994 Honda Civic.

My friends say I… need to get a real job.

The best book I ever read was… the Ableton Live 9.6 user manual.

My favourite age is… 12.

Festivals are… our office.

The best ’90s song is… TLC ‘Waterfalls’.

My least favourite trend is… space leggings.

Fashion is… Fashion Journal.

The best chocolate bar is… Kit Kat Chunky.

Kllo is… a mess.

Well Worn is out on August 5.

facebook.com/klomusic

This interview was origionally published in Fashion Journal issue 158. You can read it here.

Photography: James J Robinson @ AEVOE
Hair and make-up: Vic Anderson @ Debut Management
Styling: Yi Ng

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