From Leerdam to Cécille: Simon Kidzoo’s Groove-Driven Rise
- Undrtone Blog
- Jul 4
- 3 min read
This July, the legendary label founded by Nick Curly and Marc Scholl revives its long-dormant summer compilation series with a stacked ten-tracker showcasing the cutting edge of today’s house sound. It’s a big statement from a label that helped shape underground music in the late 2000s and early 2010s - home to now-iconic cuts like “Nesrib,” “No Worries,” and more recently, Hector Couto’s 2025 anthem “El House”.
Among the talent stepping up is Dutch groove machine Simon Kidzoo, who contributes the warm, vocal-led roller ‘It’s Just Fine’ - a track that blends throwback charm with a 2025-ready twist.
“Earlier this year I was jamming in my studio and stumbled on this vocal,” Simon tells us.
“I built the whole track around it. The drums are inspired by a 90s house tune, but the rest is very now. Just a few key elements, nothing too busy. Groovy, catchy, timeless - that’s the goal.”
That ethos runs through all of Kidzoo’s work. Based in Leerdam, he’s been pushing his sound for a decade, touching everything from disco and afro house to tougher tech grooves - all tied together by his signature rhythmic pulse.
“I don’t like being boxed in by genre,” he says. “But the groove always has to be there. That’s what makes it recognisably me.”
It’s a sound that’s earned him plays from the biggest names in the game - The Martinez Brothers, Jamie Jones, Black Coffee, Marco Carola, Michael Bibi, and ANOTR, who later signed him to their No Art label.
That breakthrough moment came in 2022, when his track ‘Azores’ landed on Melé’s Club Bad.
“Someone sent me a video of Marco Carola playing it. From there, it just took off. Everyone started playing it. That release really changed things for me - it even led to my first contact with ANOTR.”
Now he’s found a home on Cécille, a label whose identity is rooted in groove-led house music - right up Simon’s street.
“My first contact with Nick and Marc was just a few months ago,” he explains.
“I had four or five demos I thought could fit. They came back saying they wanted to sign ‘It’s Just Fine’ for the summer comp. It’s a dream, really. Their back catalogue is pure quality.”
And he’s in strong company on the record. The compilation also features standout contributions from the likes of Classmatic, Silvie Loto, Nautica, Easttown, Jasper Fioole, Rigzz, and Timmy P, whose closer ‘Zonked’ taps straight into that raw early 2010s Cécille energy. There’s also deep groove from Argentina’s Ariel Rodz & Ronan Portela, a French-vocal twist from Easttown, and some sun-kissed funk from Jasper Fioole.
For Simon, the release adds to an already buzzing year.
He’s recently played for No Art at a phone-free party at LOFI Amsterdam, performed in a Swiss vineyard, and has sets lined up in Ibiza, Miami, and beyond.
“There’s also a new EP coming soon on Danny Howard’s Nothing Else Matters label,” he adds.
“And I just played at No Art here in Holland, which was incredible.” And he returns for the increasingly popular No Art Festival later this month.
When he’s not in the studio or behind the decks, you’ll find Simon hanging with his one-year-old nephew - his unlikely new source of inspiration.
“He’s brought me so much joy and energy. It really helps keep things fresh.”
If you’re curious to hear Simon’s DJ sound, his recent SLAM! Mixmarathon set is a solid place to start:
And his pick for the ultimate sunshine anthem? No hesitation.
“It still goes off, every time,” he says. “Released 20 years ago on Defected. Timeless.”
As for what keeps Simon going?
“It’s cliché, but true - do what you love, and don’t let anyone mess with your creative mind.”
With tracks like ‘It’s Just Fine’ and a growing international footprint, Simon Kidzoo is clearly living by that mantra - and proving that good groove never goes out of style.
Simon Kidzoo
Cécille Records
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