Kiris Houston

Kiris Houston has written, produced and performed on many cuts across a variety of genres, from pop, dance, soul and R&B to singer-songwriter and Latin music. As a creative artist in his own right, he has built a name as a dependable collaborator through working with established international major label artists as well as developing and mentoring upcoming talent.

His writing sits where cinematic strings meet rhythm: orchestral arrangement that can carry a screen cue one week and a dancefloor record the next. Piano, guitar, bass, brass and full string arrangements are all written and played in-house.

His credits include work for Kylie Minogue, Disciples, Jess Glynne, Olly Murs, Little Mix and many others. The collective works he has been involved in have been streamed a staggering combined 3 billion times, including BPI certified platinum and gold records, three UK number 1 albums and a US number 1 album, alongside multiple national and international hit songs.

He also scores for soundtracks and film, including a Latin Grammy award winning credit and a placement in the Bridgerton series for Netflix.

Often referred to as “the invisible man” in the studio, his chameleon-like ability to bring out the best in an artist or production team, and his skill across a wide range of instruments from keys, bass and guitar to brass, has made him an essential part of many big records over the last decade.

Recent successes include penning and co-producing the platinum selling smash from Disciples, “On My Mind” — recording most instruments — and collaborating on many of their later hits, which received widespread support from BBC Radio 1 as well as commercial networks.

He co-produced and wrote on a number of tracks across the last two worldwide hit albums by Kylie Minogue, and in recent years has contributed to three songs chosen for BBC Radio 1's Hottest Record in the World.

He works from studios in Shoreditch, London, and also works remotely, travelling frequently for work with international writers, producers and artists. For booking enquiries please get in contact.

Starting out as an in-demand session player and band musical director, he began finding work as a co-producer and writer.

Past work includes a spell as a member of Ben's Brother, which scored a top 20 UK album on EMI, and founding Saravah Soul, which released two critically acclaimed albums on Tru Thoughts Records.

Kiris is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, having spent a long time living and working in South America, and continues to be heavily involved in developing new talent.

Kiris was born in Papua New Guinea and his early life was surrounded by music. He is self-taught on all instruments, starting with piano, which he learned by listening to old vinyl records by the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Motown, trying to copy what he heard.

After some years in the UK he returned to the South Pacific, which gave him greater time to develop his skills and his love of music and all things creative. Subsequent lengthy stays in Ghana, then Brazil and Venezuela, led to work with many local artists and to contributing to a range of artist projects, including Saravah Soul and a variety of electro-tropical projects.

He remains passionate about mentoring, especially young people. Having never had a mentor himself, he is a firm believer in offering guidance and coaching to new generations of producers, songwriters, artists and creatives. For information on his mentoring work with schools and colleges, please contact contact@kirishouston.com.

The Latin axis runs right through the catalogue: Brazilian rhythm sections, Latin percussion and string writing built for them, alongside afro house and club productions.

That work includes a Latin Grammy award winning credit in the Best Brazilian category for “Shine / Reacender” with Roupa Nova and Ben's Brother, plus continuing collaborations with Latin producers, artists and ensembles.

Currently self published as of 2022 — please use contact for publishing and licensing enquiries.