INTRODUCING: PETRU KSS

Dark, immersive and built on instinct, PETRU KSS returns with Kolibri Live LP, a project that captures techno in its most human form. Crafted through live performance and shaped in real time, the record pushes beyond polished studio precision into something more immediate—raw energy, risk and physical interaction with sound. Mixed by renowned engineer Hannes Bieger and supported by innovators like Dubfire and .VRIL, the album unfolds like a cosmic journey, moving from earthly textures to deep-space atmospheres. As Kolibri Live LP lands, PETRU KSS invites listeners to step into his world of live-crafted techno and, as he puts it, take their soul beyond gravity.

1. Kolibri Live LP was shaped in real time through instinct and physical performance — what does “risk” mean to you in a live electronic context, and how do you keep that raw edge alive in the studio?

THRiPPS, my live setup, was built to be completely mobile. It allows me to produce, perform, and improvise whether I am in a club, a studio, or a remote location. This ultimate freedom trades with an increased risk of system unpredictability, where a single knob turn can take you completely out of the sweet spot. In a live context, risk simply means facing analog volatility, technical vulnerability, potential cognitive overload and continuous performance pressure. For example, if I stop interacting with my instrument, the music just stops evolving.

Over time, I have learned to navigate within chaos, where technical errors, sync or pitch drift, and malfunctioning modules become part of the process rather than mistakes. In the studio, I maintain this edge by recording full multitrack sessions of live jams. Once you enter this state of flow and forget it is recording, the fun starts. I ensure the music retains a raw, human pulse that DAWs aren’t made for. I also tend to be much more productive under constraints. For example, challenging myself to create a track a day for about a month directly resulted in releases.

2. The record moves from nature into deep space — was that journey intentional from the start, or did the narrative reveal itself while you were building tracks like “Liminal Orbit” and “Pegasus”?

Those tracks are actually turning points from the record. Liminal Orbit represents being suspended at a crossroads in the void. Interweaving melodies mirror a state of duality until a piano-driven breakthrough moment signals the final resolution. Pegasus then marks where the intensity and darkness peak, serving as the last surge of energy before the journey finally settles.

This transition from wild earth into deep space was deeply personal. Growing up in Corsica, I was spoiled by incredible nature and starry nights: I remember checking the sky with my father through a telescope. Leaving home made me realise what I had taken for granted, creating a visceral need to translate its beauty into sound.

To capture this, I recorded at sunrise on a hard-to-access hill. Hiking through pitch-black darkness to set up THRiPPS was my metaphor for a shuttle launch: a necessary struggle to leave grounded earth for the weightless unknown. Ultimately, the journey revealed itself as a way to reconnect with my roots while looking toward the infinite. Plus the 360 degree view and sunrise were a blessing!

3. You collaborated with artists like Dubfire and worked closely with Hannes Bieger on the mix — how did those outside perspectives influence your core vision without diluting its immediacy?

Completing the album was a dear challenge to me as it’s an artist statement and an uncompromising reflection of my evolution.

I was blessed to be joined by Hannes Bieger, whose technical brilliance and sonic depth are unparalleled: he offered an impeccable mixdown that sharpened the project's quality.

Once I felt the core vision was firmly rooted, I was finally comfortable to open the gates to a vast palette of intensity through a remix series featuring legends like Dubfire, .VRIL, Arnaud Le Texier, DJ T-1000, Kaiser and Saytek, alongside Ryan Davis and An On Bast.

With the invaluable support of Novation, Dreadbox, and Genki Instruments, I invited the producer community into the Kolibri continuum through a global remix contest, which was the ultimate realization of this inclusive vision.

Seeing both icons and emerging talent reinterpret my work has been transformative, proving even in a solitary production journey, a shared human contract is what makes the music resonate.

4. Many producers rely heavily on post-production polish, but this LP champions human touch and real-time creation. What does your live setup look like, and how important is physical interaction with machines in shaping your sound?

My approach is built on my motto WYHWYT (What You Hear Is What You Touch). Every granular movement of a knob translates directly into emotion, making physical interaction vital to staying out of the comfort zone.

To create an intuitive mental map during high-intensity performances, I codified the elements of my setup, THRiPPS: the Shuttle Engine (Analog Rytm) for drums, Energy (Moog Minitaur) for sub-bass, Mind (Dreadbox Typhon) for hypnotic melodies, and Grit (Roland Aira T-8) for acid lines, alongside other core components.

The system has evolved through iterative practice to prioritize portability, reliability, and screenless interaction without compromising my sonic signature. It’s a hardware-centric extension of my brain designed to keep me out of the box. Because these machines demand continuous interaction, they create a bond so strong that I lose all sense of time and distraction.

5. With support coming from figures like Richie Hawtin and John Digweed, do you feel Kolibri Live LP represents a turning point in your career — and what does “Take Your Soul Beyond Gravity” personally mean to you right now?

Receiving plays from legends like Richie and John are definitely encouraging signs in a demanding scene, and I see this album as a milestone rather than a turning point: a high-fidelity snapshot of me giving my absolute best at this specific moment. It reinforces the idea that authenticity still has a place in a scene often dominated by social media trends.

It represents my own journey of overcoming mental and creative hurdles: a resilience built on years of self-teaching and experimentation to find a space where I feel truly aligned with my purpose. To me, it means that despite the strong industry blueprints, we always have the freedom to define our own orbit.

"Take Your Soul Beyond Gravity" is my personal invitation to detach from the weight of the world and find a moment of clarity through sound where the physical laws of Earth no longer apply.