Mar 14, 2025
|
3
min read
Ryan Raddon, better known as Kaskade, didn’t arrive on the electronic music scene so much as he built a foundation for it, brick by brick, synth by synth, beat by beat. Long before he was headlining festivals, he was working the counter at a record store in Salt Lake City, moonlighting as a house DJ and honing his craft on the side. By the early 2000s, he made his way to San Francisco, where he joined Om Records and released his debut album It’s You, It’s Me in 2003, a project that showcased his deft ability to blend deep house grooves with atmospheric melodies. It was a slow burn, but one that laid the groundwork for the expansive career that followed.
From House Music Purist to Festival Staple
As the dance music landscape shifted in the mid-2000s, Kaskade adapted but never compromised his signature sound. Albums like The Calm (2006) and Love Mysterious (2006) saw him experimenting with vocal-driven house tracks that hinted at the massive crossover potential his music had. The real turning point, though, was Strobelite Seduction (2008), an album that brought mainstream attention thanks to singles like “Move for Me” with Deadmau5. It was here that Kaskade’s identity as an architect of emotional, soaring progressive house became undeniable.
As EDM exploded into the mainstream in the early 2010s, Kaskade wasn’t just along for the ride—he was behind the wheel. His Dynasty (2010) and Fire & Ice (2011) albums solidified him as an artist who could do both festival anthems and introspective dancefloor burners with equal precision. Fire & Ice, in particular, showcased his duality, offering both high-energy versions of his songs and chilled-out alternate takes. By the time Atmosphere (2013) dropped, Kaskade was headlining Coachella and EDC, cementing his status as one of the most influential figures in electronic music.
Legacy, Innovation, and a Never-Ending Discography
Kaskade’s reach extended beyond just his own productions. He was one of the first DJs to secure a Las Vegas residency during the city’s electronic music boom, proving that house music could thrive in an environment previously reserved for pop stars and rock bands. He also became an advocate for the underground, frequently using his platform to uplift lesser-known artists and return to his roots with deep house sets.
He’s also a Grammy nominee, a distinction that, while long overdue, served as formal recognition of his influence. But accolades have never been his driving force. His career has been about evolution—never settling, always reaching. Whether through his Redux series, where he strips down his sound to its deep house core, or his numerous collaborations, he remains one of the few DJs who continues to push forward without losing touch with where he started.
Heaven Knows: Shingo Nakamura Breathes New Life into Kaskade’s Work
This week’s Remix of the Week is a testament to Kaskade’s ongoing relevance and ability to inspire the next wave of producers. Heaven Knows (Shingo Nakamura Remix) takes the original’s ethereal quality and injects it with a distinctly progressive, melodic house flair. Shingo Nakamura, a rising name in progressive and deep house, is no stranger to crafting immersive soundscapes. His work on labels like Monstercat Silk and Anjunadeep has positioned him as a master of blending intricate melodies with club-ready beats.
Born in Japan, Nakamura’s music is often described as cinematic, capable of evoking vivid imagery and emotion. His remix of Heaven Knows is no exception—turning Kaskade’s already emotive original into something even more hypnotic. The remix floats between Nakamura’s signature arpeggios, lush pads, and a driving beat that builds with precision, making it a track that works as well for late-night introspection as it does for peak-hour club moments.
Kaskade’s legacy is built on more than just his own productions—it’s built on the way he continues to influence and collaborate with the next generation of talent. Shingo Nakamura’s remix of Heaven Knows is proof of that, a seamless blend of two artists who, though worlds apart, share an innate understanding of what makes house music timeless.
