THE Level 7 SERIES
Born to stand out and bred to create, Swedish DJ, producer, and songwriter KAAZE is rapidly emerging as one of the next-generation luminaries of electronic dance music. The man behind the moniker, Mick Kastenholt, has crafted a career built on hard-earned skill, raw energy, and a fiercely authentic sound that’s now being felt around the globe.
Currently ranked #48 in the world’s Top 100 DJs—his highest position yet—KAAZE is living proof that laser-sharp focus, unrelenting creativity, and a deep connection to music’s underground roots can lead to international acclaim.
From remixing Calvin Harris and Sam Smith’s “Desire” to his hypnotic reimagining of “Maneater” with Luciana, KAAZE’s genre-blurring catalog keeps dance floors guessing. His studio prowess has landed him collaborations with heavyweights like David Guetta, Steve Aoki, Tiësto, Hardwell, and even pop icon Britney Spears.
But behind the accolades is an artist still deeply inspired by his formative years in Sweden’s underground techno scene. This influence pulses through his signature style—hōt teknō—a bold and visceral blend of hard-hitting beats and melodic energy. It’s not just a sound; it’s a movement, one that’s transforming festival stages and clubs into pure kinetic playgrounds.
Whether performing in intimate, sweaty rave basements or commanding the mainstage at global festivals like EDC, KAAZE delivers unforgettable experiences. And now, he’s taking that same energy on the road.
2025 marks a milestone for KAAZE with the long-anticipated launch of his debut North America and Canada tour, RESONANCE. The tour stops in top cities including New York, Detroit, Montreal—and this Friday, it hits Chicago. (Get your tickets here)
“Chicago family, I can’t wait to finally come! I’ve dreamed about playing in Chicago since I started this journey so I’m thanking you already now for making that dream come true! Let’s Rave!!”
Fans can expect an explosive set filled with unreleased tracks, immersive visuals, and that signature hōt teknō sound that’s made KAAZE one of the most talked-about names in dance music.
As the RESONANCE tour rips across North America, Chicago fans will be among the first to experience the full force of KAAZE’s live show. With a summer of massive festival bookings ahead—including Parookaville and Beats For Love—this is your chance to catch him before he takes over the international stage.
Want to know what inspires KAAZE’s creativity, what cartoon character he’d swap lives with, or how fragrances influence his production process? Dive into our exclusive Level7 Interview with KAAZE below!
Q: Tell us about your latest project.
I have so many projects going on at the moment, it’s a been a busy year so far! I think I have roughly 25 new songs ready to be released. I’m also working on starting my very own label so that’s very exciting. There’s a very special project that’s coming after the summer. I can’t say too much about it yet but it’s something outside the box and something I’ve dreamed of doing for a long time.
Q: What’s your creative process like when producing a new track? Do you start with a melody, beat, or something else?
It’s always different when I start a new track. Sometimes it’s a melody, sometimes it’s a sample or loop but I always start with the main element that’s going to represent the vibe of the song and build around that.
Q: What’s the weirdest or most unexpected place you’ve drawn inspiration from?
I know this is kinda different but I take a lot of inspiration from perfumes. I collect fragrances and I use them to smell and find places within to guide me to a specific vibe.
Q: If you had to swap lives with a cartoon character for a week, who would it be?
I would probably swap lives with Stitch because my daughter is completely obsessed with him. I think she would be very happy spend a week with Stitch haha!
Q: If you could travel with a celebrity, who would it be?
I would definitely travel with Tiger Woods for a golf trip. I’m a big Golf geek so that would be a dream!
Q: What’s the most significant lesson life has taught you so far?
To not look for the negatives. I used to be a very “no” guy and sceptical but life has really taught me over the years to be more open to things and look for possibilities, even when it’s tough. When I started to be more of a “yes” guy is when things started to shift and more opportunities came. If you handle stress and hard times with a positive mindset, you’ll be unstoppable.
Q: How do you handle failure?
As I mentioned above, with a positive mindset. Life is going to give you failure from time to time but those are the moments when we grow. Without failure you will never move forward and learn new things.
