INTERVIEW: Kormac links with Katie Kim on “Down Below”

Dublin-born producer and composer Kormac has long been one of Ireland’s most intriguing musical figures; a shapeshifter at the crossroads of genre, sound design and cinematic scale. Once known as a hip hop scratch DJ and MPC beat-maker, Kormac has spent the last decade tearing down genre walls and shaping a sound that fuses organic instrumentation with electronic experimentation. From orchestra pits to modular synth chaos, he moves between worlds with a flair that few can match.

Following the widescreen orchestral triumph of Equivalent Exchange, a critically-acclaimed album featuring a sweeping list of collaborators including Loah, Jafaris, MayKay and Jack O’ Rourke, Kormac has proven himself as a leading sonic architect. The record sold out the National Concert Hall in Dublin, an achievement that echoed his transformation from beat-driven beginnings into a composer capable of commanding an entire suite of strings, horns and voices.

He’s also made his mark in film and television, recently scoring Steven Knight’s This Town, a BBC1 series that netted two Royal Television Society Awards. Before that, he delivered scores for The Diplomat, Tarrac!, Swift Justice and more, crafting soundtracks that lean into tension, texture and emotional context.

Now, Kormac shifts gears again with “Down Below,” a new single released via his own Always The Sound imprint. Known for his love of collaboration and big-scale performances, this latest phase sees him stripping everything back. Built from the ground up in his Dublin studio, “Down Below” signals a deliberate return to using modular synths and drum machines.

Linking up with Katie Kim, whose otherworldly vocal presence with doom-folk collective ØXN has drawn wide acclaim, the pair craft an enthralling electronic pop outing that flows with shuffling beats, hazy vocal textures and pulsing synth textures. Initially sampled from her track “Pause” as a placeholder, her voice became inseparable from the music, “It sat so well with the chords and drums I came up with I decided to reach out,” Kormac shares. “She came back saying she loved it and was so gracious about it all.” The result is a hypnotic slow-burner, balancing shadowy aesthetic with fractured beauty as Katie’s vocals drifting through warped atmospherics and ghosted percussion.

“Down Below” also marks the debut of a brand new audiovisual show, with Kormac performing this new material surrounded by modular machines and immersive visuals. After a run of cinematic scores, orchestral grandeur and countless collaborative triumphs, Kormac finds himself once again forges an enveloping musical experience that’s memorable, thoroughly enjoyable and unlike anything else.

We caught up with Kormac to find out more about his musical journey so far, his new single “Down Below (feat. Katie Kim)” and what he’s got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with Kormac below.

Hey Kormac, how’s things?

Things are good – thanks! Enjoying making music. Weather’s nice.

What’s your earliest memory of making music?

Playing my Dad’s acoustic guitar when I was 10/11.

Which artists do you draw most inspiration from?

Floating Points is a very inspirational guy as he moves from scoring ballet to 130bpm electronic live shows to sound system culture.

How else do you find inspiration for your music?

The visual side of my new AV show is made up largely of animated still images. In researching the show I’m investigating the work of loads of photographers at the moment and finding some inspiration there.

What’s been your highlight for the year so far?

It’s been nice working towards getting new “Kormac” tracks out there as I’ve been doing lots of scores recently. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love writing to picture but it’s nice to have a balance.

What do you love about the Dublin music scene?

The crowds. Dublin crowds are like no other. The energy can be insane.

What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?

Either live or in Dolby Atmos (See new single coming Friday 🙂)

How has your own style and sound evolved since you started out?

I started making sample based hip hop, moved towards a more upbeat, electronic sound, started working with loads of live players and eventually orchestras. From there I got really into scoring Film/TV and now releasing more electronic bits. I guess you could say I’ve moved about a bit. I wouldn’t have it any other way, though.

Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?

I’d love to do something with GoGo Penguin. They’re probably my favourite band at the moment. They exude all this wonderful virtuosic playing but you can hear their hop hop and drum n’ bass influences.

How did you find making your new single “Down Below”?

It came together quite quickly. The drums were made using a very unpredictable and unruly drum machine and I actually made the opening chords you hear out of a small sample of radio static.

I initially sampled Katie’s vocal from her track “Pause” just as a rough placeholder, thinking I’d bring someone else in to re-record a vocal later. But it blended so naturally with the chords and drums I’d written that I felt I had to at least ask her if she’d be open to it.

How did you find collaborating with Katie Kim on the track?

We’ve actually never met properly, or been in the same room. Thankfully she really liked the demo I sent her and was so gracious about it all. I’m very grateful to her for letting me use it!

What artist have you been listening to most recently?

This week I’ve been listening to some scores by Ludwig Göransson. He did the Oppenheimer soundtrack.

What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?

I’d love for people to hear something in the music they mightn’t have heard before. Not in a grandiose way – maybe just a texture or a melody or a drum break – anything that excites them or peaks their interest.

What’s been your favourite live performance so far?

Probably playing Glastonbury with my band.

Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival?

A Tribe Called Quest

Sonic Youth

King Tubby

Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?

Make music for yourself and only for yourself. Even if you’re writing to picture – you have to find a way to make something you love that works for the film.

Finally, what do you have lined up for the rest of the year?

“Down Below” is out on Friday July 18th and there’ll be more music released in September, and I’m just starting on the score for a new 6-part drama series and some more live AV shows in the autumn.

Listen to Down Below (feat. Katie Kim) below