In the world of Deep House, Kellie Allen has made her mark not only as a DJ but also as a producer who’s consistently refined her sound. Her latest offering, ‘Take Some Time’, released on the powerhouse label PIV, further cements her reputation as an artist to watch. The EP is a five-track collection, including a remix by Scott Diaz, and radiates the summer-infused, soulful grooves that have become Kellie’s signature. Pre-order/save it here: https://ffm.to/piv070.
Kellie, a London native now based in Ibiza, has long been surrounded by music. Her career has steadily risen from the beaches of Ibiza to the terraces of world-renowned clubs like Club Space in Miami and festivals like PIV. In a recent conversation with us here at Undrtone, Kellie shared insights about her journey as an artist, her latest release, and how she balances the demands of a multifaceted career.
Crafting Take Some Time: A Fusion of Classic House and 90s Soul
Discussing the creative process behind Take Some Time, Kellie explained how the EP came to life. “The A1 track, ‘Take Some Time,’ was created with summer vibes in mind; I wanted something people could sing along to whether they’re in the car, at a club, or chilling at home,” she said. “It’s infused with classic House chords and 90s RnB/Soul vocals. ‘Don’t Need’ and ‘1985’ are more focused on making an impact on the dancefloor, while ‘Out Of Pluck’ brings out a more stripped-back, dubby side of my style.” The EP reflects Kellie’s versatility as a producer with a range of tracks catering to different moods and moments. “I honestly think there’s something for every House music lover in this release,” she adds, hinting at her desire to connect with a broad audience of house music enthusiasts.
Roots in Music: From Middlesex to Ibiza
Kellie’s passion for music started early. “One of my earliest memories of electronic music is when I was still in junior school and bought my first compilation tape pack,” she recalls. That pivotal moment, hearing Josh Wink’s Higher State of Consciousness on her Walkman, was just the beginning. “I remember being completely hypnotised—I had never heard anything like it before.” Her upbringing was also steeped in Funk, Soul, and RnB, thanks to her dad’s influence. “I used to sneak his CDs out of their cases and take them to school with me on my CD Walkman,” she laughs, reflecting on how these genres helped shape her sound.
Evolving as a Producer
Though her journey as a producer started in 2012, Kellie admits it’s been a learning experience ever since. “My early releases had more of a Deep Tech edge because I was playing a lot of warm-up sets, and the music I played influenced me,” she explained. Over time, her style evolved to embrace a groove-centric house sound. “As I gained more experience, my music naturally evolved into more of a House style with more groove and energy, which is when I felt like I’d come ‘Home’ musically.” Despite the evolution of her sound, she stresses the importance of perseverance and patience. “In the earlier days, I knew what I wanted to create in my head but didn’t have the experience to bring it to life in my productions. Perseverance, consistency, patience, and feedback helped me get there in the end. But I feel like I’ll never stop learning.”
DJ Career: From Ibiza Beach Clubs to the World’s Biggest Stages
Kellie’s DJ career has been just as impressive, with residencies and performances at iconic venues like DC10, fabric, and Amnesia. Reflecting on her early DJ days, she shared, “I moved to Ibiza in 2013 with a brand-new set of CDJ 900s and a DJM 250 mixer and learned how to DJ.” Her first residency was at a beach club in Ibiza’s north, where she had to bring her own equipment every week—an experience she credits with teaching her invaluable lessons about performing. Now, Kellie’s DJ style is as dynamic as her productions. “I like to keep things fun, bouncy, and groovy. The music has to have feeling and not be too generic,” she says. Whether dropping a well-loved classic or an unknown gem, her sets always aim to resonate with the crowd, and she often uses her performances to test her productions.
Radio Presenting and Finding Balance in a Busy Career
Beyond producing and DJing, Kellie is also a seasoned radio presenter, hosting shows on Ibiza Global Radio and Rinse FM. “I used to work in radio syndication alongside my career as an artist,” she shared, which made the transition into radio a natural progression. Her show on Ibiza Global Radio began in 2016, and she’s proud of how it has grown over the years. Despite her busy schedule, Kellie has found ways to balance her career and personal life, crediting her productivity to going alcohol-free. “Going alcohol-free nearly four years ago has made me way more productive between shows—less time recovering means more time in the studio or creating content,” she explains. She also highlights the importance of flexibility in her routine, ensuring that despite a hectic schedule, she finds time for the things that keep her grounded, like time at home with her partner and dogs.
What’s Next for Kellie Allen?
The Take Some Time EP is just one of several exciting projects Kellie has lined up for the remainder of 2024. “Aside from this EP on PIV, I have a remix coming out next month on the legendary Soulfuric label, followed by my final EP of 2024 in November on a really exciting label,” she teased. Fans can also look forward to seeing her play at key shows in the US, including performances at Sound Nightclub in LA and Musica Club in NYC, before returning to Amsterdam for a B2B set with Prunk at ADE.
Kellie Allen’s trajectory continues to ascend, and with each release and performance, she shows just how versatile and dedicated she is to her craft. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to her sound, Take Some Time is a perfect introduction to the soulful, groovy world of Kellie Allen.
Kellie Allen
PIV Records
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