HYDRAULIX X CANADIANRAVERS INTERVIEW [IMPOSTER SYNDROME, SUBGENRE NOT GETTING ENOUGH ATTENTION, DOWNTIME]

After a career spanning the better part of a decade, Hydraulix is ready for his biggest artistic venture yet with his forthcoming debut album. Bass fans worldwide know Hydraulix as a household name, most recently from his time touring across North America in support of Liquid Stranger and performing speaker-knocking live sets at festivals like Lost Lands, Bass Canyon, Wobbleland, E-Zoo and more. Often seen releasing via Wakaan, Hydraulix has been sought after by such major labels as Never Say Die Records, Disciple, RAM Records, and Circus Records, to name a few. After years of earning the widespread respect of the industry and the die-hard fans, Hydraulix’s long overdue debut record is sure to make massive waves for bass heads everywhere.

THE INTERVIEW

CR: Welcome to Canadianravers, Damien! How are you? Tell us about the history of your name, Hydraulix.

H: The name actually came about when a duo partner and I stopped doing our hustle together and I needed a solo name. I couldn’t come up with anything but another friend of mine actually had a list of names he was going to potentially use and Hydraulix was one of them! He was kind enough to gift me the name.

CR: Can you get a little more into ‘IMPOSTER SYNDROME’, the creative process, and what was the inspiration for this album?

H: Imposter Syndrome is something I’ve always dealt with since I’ve had any form of success. Feeling like I didn’t deserve what I had because I wasn’t doing anything too special in my mind and still aspired to be better. So, the album was my way of pushing myself and making myself realize that what I’m doing is unique and something I should, in fact, be very proud of.

CR: You collaborated with some heavy hitters in the industry; can you tell us more about that?

H: I was super fortunate to get to work with so many talented people and funnily enough when I told people I was writing an album everyone was super supportive and excited to be involved. It was really a lot of fun and I got to work with a few people I’ve really wanted to for some time.

CR: During your childhood, did you play any instruments and how did that influence your decision to pursue producing/djing?

H: I was a drummer boy down in my parents’ garage because they wouldn’t let me have my kit in my room haha. It’s been a while but it’s one of the only instruments I’ve really stuck with. It was more playing on my cousin’s turntables at a young age when I started to realize production and mixing was something I was super interested in. I’d always be hassling him to show me how to mix a track.

CR: What makes Dubstep more exciting than other genres?

H: I wouldn’t say dubstep is more exciting than other genres. I really enjoy everything from house to dubstep to drum and bass to even some classic electro anthems. I think anything that’s got a good bassline really catches my ear. I will say dubstep was some of the first music that made me want to learn how to make music though. Dubstep will always hold a special place in my heart.

CR: Before your track is released do you listen to it repeatedly to see if anything is missing?

H: This is such a curse. I listen to it so many times. Usually, by the time it’s coming out I start questioning if it’s even good anymore. I feel this is the curse of the producer though. You have to be particular without being too particular. But yes, I listen to my tracks entirely too much haha.

CR: Which subgenre do you feel doesn't get enough attention?

H: Neuro. It baffles me some people don’t appreciate this more. Maybe it’s a producer thing to really appreciate neuro as it’s so sound design-focused and might go over some people’s heads. It’s so complex and hard to make.

CR: What is the best advice you've received as a DJ/Producer?

H: Don’t overthink things too much. We get so focused on what everyone’s doing and what’s the hot thing of the time. Just have fun with it and enjoy what your doing. Try not to overthink it and have some fun.

CR: Which venue are you most eager to visit now that everything is open again?

H: That’s tough.. I’ve got a lot of places on this tour that I’m super excited to visit, but going back to Lost Lands in Columbus is super special. It’ll be awesome to play see a whole bunch of my bass music homies.

CR: As you relaxed and recharged, did the lockdown help you come up with musical ideas?

H: In some ways, it helped in other ways it didn’t. It got me not so focused on what everyone was writing and let me just enjoy the process but at the same time, I wasn’t able to test any of the music out on crowds which meant I really had to trust I knew what was up.

CR: What do you like to do in your spare time when you're not producing or DJing?

H: I’m a big gamer I love my Switch, you can catch me on that quite a bit. I also love to shoot some hoops on my basketball ring out back and can also catch me playing a bit of ping pong.

CR: What makes you happy?

H: My girl, my puppy, friends, family, writing music and playing shows. These are the things that bring me endless joy.

CR: Do you have any projects in the works that our followers should know about?

H: I don’t wanna give away too much as I just dropped the album. I definitely have some cool stuff coming down the track. It’s so funny I just dropped that album and we already planning a bunch of the next stuff.

Lighting Round

Texting or talking? Texting

Coffee or tea? Coffee

Hard liquor or Wine? Hard Liquor

Cake or pie? Pie

Hot dogs or hamburgers? Burgers all-day

Xbox or PlayStation? PlayStation

Movie theatre or arcade? Movie theatre

Guitar or piano? Piano

Marvel or DC Comics? Marvel for sure

Dog or cat? Dog

Hot weather or cold weather? Cold

FOLLOW HYDRAULIX

EVELYNE CÔTÉ X CANADIANRAVERS INTERVIEW [BIRTH OF ÎLESONIQ, ÎLESONIQ REDUX, FAVOURITE GENRE]

Evenko, an independently owned company that produces and promotes shows in Quebec. Evenko organizes more than 1,200 musical, family and sporting events every year in Quebec, hosting the biggest entertainers in the world and investing in the promotion of Quebec artists. Some of the festivals include Osheaga Music and Arts Festival, Heavy Montreal, Îlesoniq, '77 Montréal, all held in Parc Jean-Drapeau in Montreal, the Festival YUL EAT, held in the Old Port of Montreal, and Electro Parade Montréal. With everything happening around the world the music and entertainment industry was hit the hardest. As 2021 summer was coming to an end the team at Evenko surprised their followers with a revived festival ‘Îlesoniq Redux’. We got a chance to sit down with Evelyne Côté from Evenko to talk about the curating process of this year's Îlesoniq lineup as well a little bit about her journey within Evenko.

THE INTERVIEW

CR: Hello, Evelyne, Glad to have you on Canadianravers how are you doing? tell us a bit about yourself?

EC: I am doing well, the first festival edition as a junior buyer back in the day was Osheaga 2011. Started with Evenko around November 2010, before that I was a music journalist weekly called EC like Toronto’s “The Weekly”. I did a few years there and kind of saw how the cultural media was migrating on to the web and it wasn’t really the same freedom of speech or writing we had so I started looking into going behind the scenes and I was lucky enough that a lot of people backed me for this position that was very coveted and I started working with Nick and Dan and the team at Evenko and it has been a wild ride. Osheaga stated the first edition that I worked on; we had the opportunity to book Eminem and then Osheaga kept growing and growing. We had these other opportunities to book Tiësto and David Guetta and even Avicii, they wanted to play Osheaga and because of our site capacity and core fanbase and artistic direction generally for Osheaga. It was impossible for these artists as it was a different genre and a completely different culture. The festival was already sold out, so we didn’t need to branch out to another crowd and genre that was different from the rest of the festival. So, we started talking about building a different property and I kind of led the way with my team to create Îlesoniq to really devote the festival mainly to Electronic Music and be deeply rooted in dance culture and the community. The first year we threw the festival we thought we would do okay as Osheaga it took seven years before it started to sell out completely, but for Îlesoniq it was an instant adoption from the Montreal fans. It was amazing, so we knew we were on to something throwing a day party at Parc Jean Drapeau it was so gorgeous. It took a few years to find a formula to get to really know the fanbase in Montreal and made sure we get everything right for the fanbase attending the festival.

CR: It's incredible that you've curated such a stacked line-up just to bring a bit of normalcy to the festival-goers. How did you and your team decide September would be the best time for Îlesoniq Redux? Having to deal with so many restrictions, I was curious about some of the obstacles along the way when you were curating the line-up?

EC: We are music promoters as we take risks all the time and felt like we had a shot at producing something and we are so disheartened by everything happening around the world. Our personal values are obviously with being super cautious and protecting everyone and we understand the government needs to be strict. At the same time, we saw that the vaccination process was evolving in Quebec and there is still work to be done. We were like well you know it is not a magic thing where it prevents you from getting sick, but it does help alleviate the charge of the health system. So, we took a leap of faith, and we approached the Canadian talent we work closely with as well as you may have noticed that there are some American and European acts on the Îlesoniq Redux line-up. Those are artists that we have been working with, you know Paul Kalkbrenner came to our electro parade in Montreal. He was headlining at Quartier Des Spectacles; he did a free show for 20,000 people. We had him before and his team is top-notch, and his travelling party is reduced to 3 people so there won’t be an issue getting into the country. Also came down to if they had their double doses of the Vaccination as well. So, there are things that we wouldn’t have done to not add to a mix of variables to take a calculated risk. One thing that we did want to impair even though we wanted to celebrate Canadian artists through this, it a great chance to do it. it is not something we see ourselves limit to and focus on the great talent we have here. The artistic impact of the whole festival had to be just as good as we do usually with some restraint. It was important for us to capture a few genres from a huge spectrum, as some people love bass, underground, and mainstream or uplifting music. As the festival is limited capacity and has one stage rather than the three stages like the original Îlesoniq we broke it down to different days to their own home. We didn’t want to mix it up too much, you are looking at other line-ups right now and they have a mix of artists and I completely understand why because of all the bookings, calendar, availability, it is tough for us to do it that way. It was a real challenge but super important for us to keep it separated. 

CR: Îlesoniq Redux line-up has so many Canadian artists, and we are really thrilled about that. Could it have been a festival mainly focusing on Canadian talent?

EC: No, like I said I think that celebrating something is not necessarily just closing yourself to others. It is putting the people you want in a great light so to have an all-Canadian line-up would be compared to having an all-female line-up. If the stars align and it works for you that great, but you would need to preserve the quality of your product. Just to do a festival that is 100% Canadian, we could have but the measures we knew that people could have come in we just have to be extra careful. Our headliner is Canadian, which was important to us as well. So, it was kind of a mix of playing around with the restrictions and what is doable, as well as the calculated risk of taking chances on American and European talent to a certain degree. With Osheaga we went 100% Canadian because they are mostly bands so when a band travels, it is a lot more expensive where you have four people on stage, with guitar tech, lighting guy, and TM. So, in the end, there are twelve people coming into the country rather than four. It would be hard for us to control and monitor them regarding COVID19. Those twelve people show up at the border and they lied about having two doses or even has COVID then all of them would be quarantined which wouldn’t be fun for anyone.

CR: Will Îlesoniq Redux take place at the original grounds of Îlesoniq this year?

EC: Yes, it will be at the same location as the original Îlesoniq which is ‘Espace 67’ at Parc Jean Drapeau where the main stage is located with the VIP terrace.

CR: As delta variant cases are on the rise in Canada will the festivalgoers have to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated or a negative test to enter the festival?

EC:  That is all dependant on the government, In Quebec, the government has already announced the vaccine passports to be implemented starting September 1. It is not our call to make if we need everyone to be double dosed or negative test to be presented for the festival. We will follow the guidelines provided by the government

CR: As part of Evenko, you curated a lot of events, what was the first event you curated and how was the attendance and your recent event?

EC: Osheaga was the most defining one because you work on festivals for a whole year before you see your work take life and the real magicians are the artists. At a festival, as a producer and as a promoter you have more to do, and it is more on your shoulder to create a vision than just a headline shows at a venue. Osheaga 2011 was my first festival, and it was a full house as it was sold out. It was an amazing feeling I cried, joy, and relief and created a great memory. Even after eleven years, I love to curate small events, whether huge or small events are always full of surprises. Things that you must problem-solve. We had an event recently with Mistress Barbara and Domeno at Jardin Royalmount and it was so much work but at the same time so gratifying to be able to find solutions so that people didn’t feel that they were in covid times. We basically offered everyone VIP service, where everyone had furniture and chair with bottle service. We kept the attendance to a minimum so people could walk around. That whole creative process of problem-solving and making things fun is what I love. That could be with a hundred thousand people or just a thousand people and it is just challenging.

CR: Since Evenko curates a variety of genres, which one is your favourite by far?

EC: In Electronic Music I would tend to say it is the stuff that lives as a live act. Something life Bicep, Rüfüs Du Sol, Paul Kalkbrenner always plays live. You know there is something more organic with something more human. Overall live DJs and bands would be something that I enjoy the most.

CR: Anything else that our followers should know about the festival?

EC: We can’t wait to see people, to have them, to host them. It will not be the same as the original Îlesoniq where you have three stages, and you get to roam around the grounds. It is going to be distanced if the government needs us to be doing that, but we have a huge site that helps. What I would like to tell people is thank you for just being excited to see us and trusting us with the day or weekend that they chose to spend with us. It’s amazing, that level of loyalty and community that make me most proud of everything. It was supposed to be our ninth year

LIGHTING ROUND

Texting or talking? Talking

Coffee or tea? Coffee

Hard liquor or Wine? Wine

Cake or pie? Pie

Hot dogs or hamburgers? Hamburger

Xbox or PlayStation? Headphone music or podcasts

Movie theatre or arcade? Movie theatre

Guitar or piano? To play Piano, to listen to would be a guitar.

Marvel or DC Comics? My kid might be able to answer this, but I have no opinion on this.

Dog or cat? Dog

Hot weather or cold weather? Hot weather

FOLLOW ÎLESONIQ SOCIALS FOR MORE INFORMATION

HANS GÖRAN X CANADIANRAVERS INTERVIEW [RECENT EP, GENRES INSPIRING FUTURE TRACKS, RUNNING YOUR OWN LABEL]

Established Swedish artist Lucas Nord has seen consistent success throughout the last year with his involvement in the recent formation of pop-dance DJ/production trio Moodshift, with release after release garnering much critical acclaim. Using his multifaceted talents, Nord decided to create Hans Göran, a moniker featuring both of his middle names that is used to release new, unique house-influenced sounds separate from his other ongoing projects. A noteworthy career highlight worth mentioning includes his hit with Tove Lo, ‘Run On Love’, reaching the number one spot via Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart, as well as amassing over 45 million-plus streams to-date. Recently, he’s also received a Juno nomination for Mackenzie Porter’s ‘Drinkin Songs’, in addition to gaining a top 25 position via the U.K. Dance Charts for Moodshift’s ‘Touch’.

THE INTERVIEW

CR: Hello, Hans Göran aka Lucas Nord, Glad to have you on Canadianravers how are you doing? Also, tell us a bit about yourself?

HG: Hey guys, all good here! So born and raised in Stockholm. Been making music all my life basically. Come from a family of musicians so music was always around. Spend my days in the studio working on my own projects but also writing and producing for others.   

CR: ‘GIRL’ being your fourth track on the EP, reminds us of some early house vibes. any story behind producing of this track?

HG: It was a track that I had to lay around for quite some time. It started out with me sampling myself and this little hook line i recorded. I just couldn’t figure out what to do with it. So it just sat for a few months before I picked it up again and pretty much re-made it into what it is today.

CR: When you are completing a track, how many times would you listen to it before you say to yourself that I want to put this out?

HG: Oh man, hundreds. When it’s something I wanna put out myself for one of my own projects it usually takes a long, long time for me to be fully happy with it to the point where i wanna put it out. 

CR: How has your music/producing style changed from when you started to where it is right now?

HG: I’m not really sure how it’s changed soundwise since I’m still very much influenced by the same music, however, I think that I’ve just gotten a lot better at everything. Ears have gotten a lot better too. 

CR: Since you are from Sweden, are there any Swedish artists that caught your eye that you would like to collaborate with in the future?

HG: Id love to make a track with DJ Seinfeld. Don’t know him personally at all but I’m a big fan of his stuff.

CR: What other genres are you currently listening to get inspired for your future projects?

HG: I listen and make a ton of different stuff all the time, country, hip-hop, house, pop. I feel like it always kinda blends together for me in everything I do. 

How is it running your own label ‘Bisous’? Were there any hurdles when you were starting it up?

HG: Definitely gotta shout out my manager Luca who I run it with. He’s a massive help with everything regarding the label. We kinda had a vision and were able to partner with the Orchard to make it happen which I’m very happy with. 

CR: Is there a track that never leaves your personal playlist because it has a certain emotional connection to you?

HG: Craig David - Fill Me in. track of the year, every year. Aside from DJing and music production, what else do you enjoy? I fell in love with running a while ago which i now try to do as often as possible. It’s the perfect break from all the sitting down in the studio and also a great time going through demos you’re working on. 

CR: As things are opening back up in 2021, is anything our followers should know about related to more music as well as any tour dates?

HG: No tour dates as of now unfortunately but there’s definitely more music in the works. Hopefully, I’ll have something out sooner than later! 

Lighting Round 

Texting or talking? Talking

Coffee or tea? Coffee

Hard liquor or Wine? Wine

Cake or pie? Pie

Hot dogs or hamburgers? Hamburgers

Xbox or PlayStation? Playstation

Movie theatre or arcade? Movie theatre

Guitar or piano? Piano

Marvel or DC Comics? Marvel

Dog or cat? Dog

Hot weather or cold weather? Hot

CONNECT WITH HANS GÖRAN