Daniel Wing (DW) is one to watch. Though he is only 17 and knows he has a lot more to learn, Daniel’s ambient, jazz-soaked electronic beats are sure to set the music world by storm. Daniel is an independent producer, DJ and singer and goes by the name, Kazimo. He is expecting to release a single in the next few months. “Projects can only succeed if they have a full, engaging story to tell,” Daniel believes. We can’t wait to see where his story takes him. // Wardrobe look (above) by Open Ceremony.

How would you describe your music?

DW — I make ambient, beat driven electronical music. I’m interested in the physicality of sound the way different musical devices cause the listener to move, or feel a part of a physical universe created by the music. My background is in rock and jazz, so my work is lyrically rock inspired and utilizes complex harmony drawn from jazz and world music.

What are you currently working on music wise? Any upcoming projects?

DW — I think the climate of the music industry right now is such that projects can only succeed if they have a full, engaging story to tell. I’m 17, so I have a lot of time to grow and learn before my story takes shape. I’ll be releasing a string of singles for now the first will be out in the next few months.

Do you have any gigs coming where people could hear you play?

DW — I play DJ sets around New York. Details for my shows can be found on my social media @heykazi.

How did you get interested in music?

DW — Man, I’ve always been surrounded by it. Neither of my parents are musically inclined but they raised me on classic rock and show tunes, which led me to jazz. I saw Bruce Springsteen when I was 8– it was my first concert and I remember being blown away by how easily he controlled the crowd’s energy. I wanted to be able to move people in that way.

What are some of your influences and inspirations?

DW — I draw inspiration from a lot of places. I strongly believe in original music being a reflection of one’s own truth so any space that keeps my head clear and lets me analyze and translate thoughts to music catalyzes the process. I’ve always been drawn to powerful forces, like trains and rivers (I live right next to one) they put me in that state. The people around me inspire me more than anyone. I have three younger sisters they’re my best friends, and they keep me focused. There’s a collective of rappers and produces based in Chicago that I’ve been working with called Pivot Gang, shout out to them even though they’re halfway across the country, they’ve been hella supportive of me and were great influences on my work even before we met. I live on the lower east side of Manhattan, though, so I’m constantly surrounded by incredible artists at home as well. It’s impossible to live in New York and not be inspired by all of the people out there just grinding every day.

When you’re not working on music, what do you get up to? 

DW — If I’m not working on my own projects, I’m supporting others’. I’m in my last year of school so I don’t have time for anything else right now I pretty much only go out to see my friends perform. Right now, I’m focused on my lane and others in it.

How do you feel about the relationship between music and fashion? 

DW — Sight and hearing are our two strongest senses (I think?). Music is such a physical art form there’s motion both in its creation and reception and adding a visual component to sonic work creates another dimension of content to be consumed. A listener becomes an experiencer. Fashion allows a musician to make themselves the visual component. People are terrifyingly quick to judge each other at first glance it’s easy to take control of that and project the message you want to by way of appearance.

How does New York City influence your sound and style?

DW — I hear more musical styles, more languages, stories and unidentifiable noises than I could count each day just from walking in the street. It’s impossible to process them all, but in my music, I attempt to organize them in form of songs. I am a product of my city, and the music is a product of me.

What would your dream gig venue be?

DW — Somewhere with no walls, or floors, or ceilings. So space, I guess. The best way to experience music would be somewhere that it was omnipresent instead of directed at the listener through headphones or a speaker system. I thinking playing a 4D movie theater with accompanying visuals on the screen would be the most realistic way to immerse an audience like that.

What would you love to be doing 5 years from now?

DW — Touring. The point of being a musician is to connect. It’s one thing to share a song via the internet and let people experience it in their headphones, but it’s more important to me to stand on a stage and own it. I don’t think an artist should ever be detached from their art performing my music is my way of taking responsibility for it. I also love to travel and talk to people. It’s rewarding to see people react to my work there’s beauty in the way everyone interprets and responds to it differently, but enjoys it together. That’s why I think music can save the world, and if I can play some small part in that, I wouldn’t want to do anything else.