Kieran San Jose: From Skeptic to Sonic Architect
Kieran San Jose
This week, The Groove Palace welcomes Kieran San Jose, a West Coast DJ and producer whose journey through underground dance music has been nothing short of explosive. With a deep love for Brazilian minimal deep tech, Kieran’s productions have earned support from heavyweights like Cloonee, Marco Carola, and Paco Osuna. Now, he delivers a mix that embodies his signature energy—exclusively on The Groove Palace SoundCloud.
Kieran San Jose’s journey into electronic music wasn’t the typical story of childhood fascination. In fact, before college, he didn’t care for electronic music at all. It wasn’t until he attended San Diego State University and started going to parties that his perspective shifted. One artist, in particular, opened his ears: Cloonee. His fusion of hip-hop with minimal house made dance music feel digestible, and from there, Kieran discovered Brazilian icons like Classmatic and UK legends like Sosa. This blend of influences laid the foundation for his own evolving sound.
From House Parties to Club Stages
Starting out, Kieran’s DJing experience came in the form of playing college parties and small bars around San Diego. He was drawn to the idea of playing real club gigs, but the local scene’s reliance on ticket sales to determine set times felt like a dead end. Instead of chasing club promoters, he decided to take matters into his own hands—if he wanted to get booked on his own merit, he needed to start producing music. In 2022, he committed to learning production, grinding relentlessly and DMing Brazilian producers to set up sessions. That hustle led to collaborations, friendships, and ultimately, his first major releases.
Crafting His Signature Sound
For Kieran, energy is everything. Whether it’s a driving baseline, an infectious vocal chop, or an unexpected synth lead, his tracks aim to excite and engage. At first, he crafted tracks with specific labels in mind, particularly Cloonee’s Hellbent Records. But after landing a release there, he shifted focus to making music purely for himself. That change in mindset opened the door to even more signings, including Organic Pieces and Somethin' Light. Now, instead of tailoring tracks for labels, he trusts his instincts—if someone likes it, they’ll take it.
DJing with Intent
Kieran prides himself on his ability to adapt. Whether he's supporting Cloonee at Chicago’s Radius, playing the underground at Miami’s Pink Bag Records showcase, or spinning at his dream venue, Sound Nightclub in LA, he tailors his sets to the crowd. At the Pink Bag event, his selections leaned into weird, synth-heavy minimal. At larger clubs, he shifts towards high-energy rap-infused grooves. His versatility is what sets him apart, and it’s why he’s able to command different rooms with ease.
The Moment Everything Changed
Seeing his idols play his music was a surreal turning point. Having Cloonee and Marco Carola drop his tracks was one thing, but one of the most surreal moments came at Space Miami during Miami Music Week. With a strict no-video policy in place, his manager managed to capture a sneaky clip of Toman playing his track during a B2B with Chris Stussy. That moment solidified everything—his music wasn’t just being heard, it was being championed by some of the biggest DJs in the world.
Looking Ahead: The Best Music Yet
With 2025 in full swing, Kieran is locked in. He’s teased upcoming releases on major labels, though he’s keeping specifics under wraps. But one thing is certain—he believes his upcoming music is the best he’s ever made. After refining his craft throughout 2024, he’s entering this year with a renewed focus, pushing his production to new levels.
Advice for the Next Generation
For those looking to break into the scene, Kieran keeps it simple: just put in the work. There’s no shortcut. He remembers asking veteran producers for the secret to success, only to realize that there isn’t one—it’s all about making music, failing, learning, and repeating the cycle. His approach is to finish every track, even the ones that feel like failures, because every attempt is a step forward.
Catch Kieran’s Exclusive Mix
To get a full taste of Kieran’s evolving sound, don’t miss his exclusive set dropping this Wednesday at 7 PM EST on The Groove Palace SoundCloud. Expect a mix packed with high-energy minimal deep tech grooves, handpicked for the underground heads. Tune in and hear what makes him one of the most exciting up-and-comers in the scene.