Kidislive kicked off Mad Motel in December last year as an outlet to combine music and visuals in the world of micro house, minimal techno, and experimental electronica. The project is the brainchild of 20-year veteran Derek Kamm, who grew up on Long Island and is now known worldwide for his always left-of-centre sounds on labels like Visionquest, his own Local Raider Records, and in collaboration with the likes of Wareika and Henrik Schwarz. Across four EPs in the last 12 months, he has cooked up fresh electronic sounds with warm synths and rich bass, and has earned high-profile support from tastemakers like Richie Hawtin, Oliver Heldens, and Carl Craig.
His new single, ‘Secret Tabloid’, is hard to define but irresistible. Chunky house drums establish the groove while radiant synths burst out of the mix, silky arps add scale, and layered vocal mutterings are intimate and slightly trippy as the most colourful cut builds to a lush cosmic peak.
The rest of the EP is a trio of remixes, firstly from Crazy P co-founder Jim Baron aka Ron Basejam, who flips a cut from EP 002. His unmatched disco credentials shine through a strident cut awash with soulful chords and pained strings, a heart-aching vocal and plenty of instrumental funk that will sweep the floor off its feet. Berlin’s accomplished underground stalwart Dave DK then tackles ‘Husband Wife Shit’ from EP 003. His version is a thing of uplifting joy with glistening riffs and starry melodies all overflowing with loved-up excitement. The maverick Mr Ties, founder of the cult Homopatik party in Berlin, then makes a welcome return with a darker remix of ‘Swinger Garden’ that has moody bass and plenty of late-night pressure, glassy melodies and an eerie atmosphere rooted in cavernous bass.
Kidislive’s ‘Mad Motel 005 EP’ comes digitally and on vinyl via Mad Motel on 6th November 2026.
Tracklist
1. Never Stop Reaching (Ron Basejam Remix)
2. Husband Wife Shit (Dave DK Remix)
3. Swinger Garden (Mr. Ties Remix)
4. Secret Tabloid
Kidislive: Instagram – Soundcloud – Spoti