Producer and artist KB-S has released one of the most extensive and eclectic repertoires of original music over the years. This balancing of work-ethic, skill, and unwavering passion and love for the process, has resulted in a multitude of singles and projects that consistently immerse listeners in some new creative realm of escapism.
We caught an interview with KB-S, to find out more about that journey, the inspiration behind it, what drives things, and what the underlying ambition is. Here’s the conversation in full.
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KB-S – loving the music, great to connect with you! To introduce things, where are you based, and who or what first inspired you to make music?
I’m really glad you’re enjoying the music—thank you! I’m based in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. It’s the kind of place that has more than enough creative energy to stay inspired, but still offers enough quiet for ideas to actually take root and grow.
My journey into music began about 20 years ago as a curiosity that’s grown into something more like an obsession. It started with little realizations while making music with friends—like how a single sound could shift the entire mood, or how one extra drum hit could unlock the whole track. I remember thinking once, “This one element could be heard a dozen different ways if you weren’t told what it was.” Those small epiphanies opened the door to a more expansive mindset, and the deeper I went, the more in love with the craft I became.
Your repertoire is impressively diverse, production that’s creative yet well-rooted in rhythms and tones that satisfy and immerse listeners. What would you say is your main purpose as a producer of instrumental music?
Thank you—That really means a lot. Over the last few years, I’ve really come to enjoy telling stories with my music. A lot of the album and EP releases are thematic either in telling a story, expanding upon a place in my mind, or sharing emotional/psychological location. And instrumental music allows listeners to fill in the blanks with their own stories and details—that’s powerful. So, whether it’s a full hotel (No Vacancies), a Fading Wild West (Tales from the Nu-Acid West), or we’re shooting for some sensation – be it nostalgia, tension, desire, or peace – I want the listener to be transported and/or feel something real without a single word being needed.
What was the creative process like for your recent single The Calm, and what was your intention with this track?
“The Calm was designed to be a sonic retreat—something that gently echoes the ebb and flow of ocean waves at night. I wanted to capture that moment where the world goes quiet and your breathing starts to slow.”
The entire track is built around a soft, steady rhythm that mirrors the movement of water, inviting the listener to drift, reflect, and let go. Even though it starts and ends with a quiet field recording of the sea, the goal was never about showcasing technique—it was about creating a space of stillness and emotional grounding. A reminder that peace doesn’t have to shout to be heard.
The Vibes EP is a pleasure to let fill the room. How did you choose the right tracks for this project, and how did you know when it was finished and ready to be released?
With Vibes, I wanted to capture a particular mood—laid-back but not lazy, and somewhat soulful and jazzy, but not overly dramatic. I ended up sifting through a lot of unreleased songs in my catalogue to narrow the selection to those few. As for knowing when it was done? It was just a feeling. When I can listen to a project from front to back without anything sounding forced or feeling unresolved, I know it’s time.
Do you record organic instruments or live aspects when you compose; do you play any instruments, or just program everything in your DAW?
I mostly work out of Logic Pro X, but I’ve got a number of instruments around that I play and record with pretty regularly. Guitars, ukuleles, a harmonica, and keys all find their way into my sessions depending on the vibe. I’m not a virtuoso on any of them, but I know how to get the feel I’m after. And my drum machine is definitely a go-to when I’m carving out new rhythms—it’s where most of my tracks really take shape.
Is collaboration a part of your plans – perhaps with vocalists or other musicians?
I’ve collaborated with some really great vocalists (both singers and rappers) in the past. I wouldn’t be opposed to doing so again as long as our goals aligned and we were stylistically compatible enough to make it work. I’m also interested in scoring for more visual art projects. If the vibe’s right, I’m in!
Your repertoire is extensive, spanning back through dozens, maybe hundreds of original tracks. What drives you to keep making music at such a pace?
“Honestly, it’s part compulsion and part therapy. Creating—and more specifically, creating in the music space—helps me feel grounded and make sense of the world around me, as well as whatever is going on inside.”
Each track is somewhat of a journal entry or a scene in a bigger story flooding out of my imagination. And because a lot of my work is thematic, once a concept grabs me, the songs just start pouring out.
That said… my unreleased catalogue is actually double what I’ve put out. There’s a whole library of KB-S music behind the curtain—half-formed worlds, full EPs, and late-night sessions that haven’t seen daylight yet. I’ve got a long and busy release schedule already lined up. But some I might just keep as sonic time capsules.
How much has your approach or skillset changed since you made your first ever track?
My music journey started with free software/tools and borrowed drum machines—just doing whatever I could to bring ideas to life. Now I’ve got a pretty robust setup with a mix of analog and digital tools—but honestly, figuring out how new instruments and tools work when I get my hands on them is still half the fun. And I’ve always approached gear with a “how far can I push this?” mindset.
These days, though, I focus a lot more on sound design, arrangement, and pacing. When I was younger, it was about chasing that next banger. Now, it’s about crafting the next journey—setting a mood, building a world, and letting the listener fall into it.
What’s your biggest ambition moving forwards?
To carve out a sonic universe that listeners want to keep returning to. I want my discography to feel like a map—where each release is its own landmark. Ultimately, I’d love to take everything I’ve created and everything yet to be made to build immersive experiences that combine music, visuals, and storytelling in ways that continue to feel intimate and cinematic.
Is there anything else we should know?
“I’m not chasing trends or trying to go viral. I just want to keep creating music that resonates—something you return to when the world’s quiet and it’s just you and the sound.”
If my catalog feels like a map, just know that I’m still just sketching the constellations. There are so many stories left to tell, moods to capture, and sonic landscapes to build – one authentic song at a time.
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Find KB-S on Apple, YouTube, Soundcloud, TikTok.
