Klingande: Biography, Discography and More | EDM Encyclopedia

Introduction

Cédric Steinmyller produces electronic music under the stage name Klingande. The moniker originates from the Swedish language, where it translates to “ringing.” This linguistic choice reflects the project’s creative priorities: a focus on resonant, sustained melodic elements rather than purely rhythmic or percussive drive. Based in France, Steinmyller has operated within the European electronic music landscape since the project’s inception in 2013.

Klingande began as a collaborative project between Steinmyller and Edgar Catri. The duo released their first material in 2013, establishing the melodic house sound that would define all subsequent output. The partnership continued through the project’s initial phase before Catri departed in 2014, leaving Steinmyller as the sole creative force behind the Klingande name. Rather than signaling a shift in musical direction, this transition maintained the sonic identity the duo had developed together. Steinmyller carried forward the same production philosophy, ensuring continuity for listeners who had connected with the project’s early material.

The project’s active period spans from 2013 to the present. The first official release arrived in 2013, and the most recent confirmed album dropped in 2019. Across this timeframe, Klingande has assembled a catalog consisting of one full-length album, one EP, and five singles. This output has secured the project’s position within the melodic house music sector of the electronic music spectrum, building recognition across European markets.

Klingande’s history splits into two distinct phases: the collaborative duo period with Catri and the solo era under Steinmyller’s direction. Both phases share a unified approach to production that centers on musicality, instrumental texture, and melodic clarity. The decision to retain the Klingande name after Catri’s departure reinforces this continuity, presenting the project as an evolving entity rather than two separate artistic endeavors.

Genre and Style

Klingande operates within the house music spectrum, with production that prioritizes melodic construction and instrumental layering over purely synthesized sound design. The project integrates acoustic instrumentation alongside electronic programming, producing a hybrid sonic texture that separates Klingande’s output from standard club productions. Brass and woodwind elements frequently carry melodic responsibilities, delivering hooks that resonate beyond the dancefloor environment and give each track a distinctive, recognizable character.

The house Sound

The project’s mixing approach emphasizes clarity across all frequency ranges. Individual elements receive distinct sonic placement, allowing melodic lines to sit above rhythmic foundations without conflicting with bass frequencies. Vocals, when present, undergo processing that integrates them into the instrumental framework rather than treating them as the primary focal point. This technique preserves the emphasis on arrangement and musical development while still incorporating vocal elements as additional textural layers within the overall mix.

Arrangement structures in Klingande’s productions follow a progressive build model. Components enter incrementally, with melodic phrases layered over established rhythmic patterns until the arrangement reaches full instrumental resolution. This method creates forward momentum within each track, providing listeners with a sense of development and arrival. The approach contrasts with the loop-based repetition common in much dance music, drawing instead from compositional traditions that emphasize evolution and narrative progression within individual pieces.

The production aesthetic connects to the French electronic music lineage that balances musicality with rhythmic functionality. Klingande’s tracks occupy a dual role: they deliver sufficient melodic content to engage listeners outside club contexts while maintaining the tempo and groove necessary for dancefloor application. Tempos remain within established house ranges, favoring groove and instrumental expression over speed or intensity.

This equilibrium between accessibility and functional dance music has characterized the project’s output across the entire confirmed discography, from the 2013 debut through the 2019 full-length. The consistency suggests a clear artistic vision rather than trend-chasing, with each release reinforcing the same core principles of melodic clarity, instrumental warmth, and rhythmic steadiness.

Key Releases

Klingande’s confirmed discography consists of one album, one EP, and five singles released between 2013 and 2019.

• Albums:
• The Album
• EPs:
• Jubel EP
• Singles:

Discography Highlights

Albums: The Album (2019) represents the project’s sole full-length release. Arriving six years after the debut, it compiles Klingande’s melodic house approach into a single comprehensive work, drawing on the production methods refined throughout the preceding years of single releases.

EPs: The Jubel EP (2013) marked the project’s entry into the electronic EDM music market. This debut established the melodic framework and instrumental aesthetic that Steinmyller would continue developing across all subsequent releases.

Singles: Jubel launched in 2013 as the project’s first single, released concurrently with the EP of the same name. RIVA (Restart the Game) followed in 2015, representing the first output after Catri’s departure and confirming that the project’s sonic direction would remain consistent under Steinmyller’s solo leadership. 2016 produced two singles: Losing U and Somewhere New, both expanding the catalog during an active release period. Pumped Up arrived in 2017 as the final confirmed single, closing out the project’s single releases before the album.

The chronological release pattern demonstrates a systematic approach to building the project one‘s catalog. From the 2013 debut through 2017, each year delivered at least one new single, sustaining audience engagement and market presence. The two-year interval between Pumped Up in 2017 and The Album in 2019 indicates a dedicated album development phase, during which no singles were released. This sequencing suggests Steinmyller prioritized assembling a cohesive full-length statement over maintaining the annual single release rhythm, treating the album as a distinct creative milestone rather than a simple collection of previously released material.

Famous Tracks

Cédric Steinmyller’s catalog demonstrates a consistent approach to melodic house music. The breakthrough came with the Jubel EP in 2013, featuring the single Jubel. The track established Klingande’s signature sound: deep house grooves paired with prominent melodic elements and live instrumentation, particularly saxophone. Jubel received extensive play across European radio and club circuits, becoming a defining release in the melodic house subgenre that gained prominence in the early 2010s. The track’s structure centers on a repeated melodic motif that builds gradually, a compositional approach that would become characteristic of Klingande’s output.

In 2015, RIVA (Restart the Game) continued this sonic direction, building layered melodies over steady four-on-the-floor rhythms. The production maintained the organic feel of its predecessor while introducing new textural elements. The year brought two releases: Losing U and Somewhere New, both from 2016. These tracks showcased a refinement of the melodic template, with varied vocal treatments and more intricate production choices that demonstrated growth in Steinmyller’s studio work. Each release maintained the emphasis on hummable melodies while exploring different rhythmic foundations.

Pumped Up arrived in 2017 with a more energetic take on the established formula, pushing the tempo and intensity while retaining the melodic focus. These singles culminated in The Album, released in 2019, which collected Klingande’s production philosophy into a full-length statement. The record consolidated years of melodic house exploration into a cohesive listening experience, gathering previously released material alongside new productions that fit within the established framework.

Live Performances

Klingande’s performances distinguish themselves through the integration of live musicians alongside electronic production. The shows typically feature a saxophonist performing the melodic hooks that define the recorded output, creating a bridge between traditional DJ sets and live band experiences. This approach transforms prerecorded material into something spontaneous: extended breakdowns, improvised solos, and audience interaction reshape familiar tracks each night. The saxophonist operates as a visible presence on stage rather than a hidden session player, moving with the music and engaging directly with the crowd.

Notable Shows

This format has placed Klingande on stages at major electronic music festivals and venues throughout Europe and beyond. The live instrumentation creates an immediate visual and sonic contrast with the surrounding electronic elements, giving audiences something to watch as well as hear. The saxophone parts, central to many of Klingande’s productions, become focal points during performances, with the musician stepping into the spotlight during key moments. This theatrical element adds a layer of spectacle absent from standard DJ performances.

The touring lineup has expanded over time to include multiple instrumentalists alongside the main production work. This expansion reinforces the organic quality that separates Klingande shows from standard electronic music sets, where a single performer typically works behind decks and laptops. The emphasis on visible, audible human performance within electronic music contexts reflects a broader movement toward hybrid live shows in the genre, one that Klingande has embraced as central to the project’s identity since early in its development.

Why They Matter

The stage name carries intentional significance: “Klingande” translates to “ringing” in Swedish, a fitting descriptor for music centered on resonant melodies. This linguistic choice reflects an international scope beyond French electronic music conventions, drawing on Scandinavian language to describe a sonic philosophy. The name itself signals the project’s priorities: sound, resonance, and melodic clarity over aggressive beats or underground credibility.

Impact on house

Klingande’s specific contribution to house music lies in normalizing live instrumentation within a genre historically dominated by purely electronic production. The prominent use of saxophone, treated not as novelty but as a structural component, offered a template that other producers have since adopted. This approach demonstrated that melodic house could incorporate acoustic elements without losing its dancefloor functionality. The instrument became so associated with Klingande’s identity that its presence serves as an immediate identifier across diverse playlists and DJ sets.

The project began as a duo: Steinmyller and Edgar Catri worked together until Catri departed in 2014. This transition from collaborative effort to solo project represents a particular arc in European house music, where partnerships dissolve and individuals carry forward established sounds. Under sole direction, Klingande maintained consistent musical values while trends shifted around them, carving out a recognizable identity in a crowded field. The longevity of the project demonstrates a sustained vision rather than a trend-hopping approach to electronic music production. From the initial releases through subsequent years, the commitment to melodic house with organic instrumentation has remained constant, giving audiences a clear sense of what to expect from new Klingande material.

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