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Today we speak to HOSS, about his upcoming projects and recent work.
Can you tell us a little about your experience? Where are you from / how
did you get into music?
First of all thank you for having me. I grew up in Ottawa, Canada and currently
live in Montreal. Since childhood, I was interested in a variety of musical
instruments and many styles of music. It was in my early teens that I took music
seriously and began to experiment with percussion, guitars and keyboards. In
high school, I had an amazing music teacher who was way ahead of his time. We
had a small room in our school’s music room filled with MIDI keyboards and a
DAW. That was my intro to digital production. In 1997 I bought a version of
Propellerhead Rebirth and Cakewalk and so I began to learn to produce music. A
decade later in 2010, I started my professional music career with the launch of
Funktasy - Record Label & Magazine - and my first EP “Without You”.
How is your sound evolving? What artists and genres do you enjoy mixing
right now?
The essence and crust of my sound is house music. The toppings change with
technology and my wisdom :) I enjoy working with a variety of artists with different
backgrounds and styles. Through my Label Funktasy, I meet plenty of artists
whom I choose to collaborate with. At Funktasy, we release not just House and
EDM but plenty of Hip Hop, R&B and Reggae as well. This diversity allows me to
expand my musical horizon. In fact, my last release “Faya Bun” with Reddibo is a
full on Reggae/dancehall track.
How do you feel your music influences or impacts your listeners?
My sound reflects my personality, character and life experiences. My music
matures with with me. My compositions are derived from my heart and soul. I try
to stay away from samples as much as possible. This allows me to naturally mold
each element of my music. I tend not to get too technical with sound; it’s music…
it’s supposed to be fun and enjoyable. I’m a happy-go-lucky person. I am calm
with a chaotic mind :) I try to portray all of me into my music so my listeners can
visualize, feel and relate to me sonically and subliminally.
What projects are you working on right now?
I’m producing and mixing a few tracks for artists on my label; Ayrsto, Kiveli and
148. These are mostly commercial radio tracks so I cater to them a bit differently
as they are not purely intended for the dancefloor. I am also working on a
collaboration with PAYSON and MAEDAE. I have 2 original tracks in the works
too.
How would you define DAT?
DAT is HOT! It’s a cross-Atlantic collab with Reddibo. She is a talented Jamaican
vocalist who resides in Amsterdam. Actually, I was introduced to her through my
label, Funktasy. The track was a few months in the making. The original track
was intended for a bootleg remix but when I heard Reddibo’s voice, I knew that
was the right song to feature her in. I took my dance music knowledge and
applied it to the track along with a catchy melody and topped it up with Reddibo’s
vocals. The original track is followed up with FrankNoMore and Jamie C’s
remixes, each having a flavour of their own.
Where are you and what have you been doing now?
I am at a happy spot in my life. I feel quite lucky and blessed. I have reached a
level where I have made a full on career out of music. My production agenda is
booked up for the next year. I’m hoping the world goes back to its normal mode
so I could start gigging again. Most clubs and festivals are not operating, so for
now I’m concentrating on production and working with my great team to run my
Label & Magazine. But definitely looking forward to smashing clubs and events
soon.
Has that sound changed a lot in recent years? What is your musical
criteria?
Of course, sound changes as we mature and advance with technology. I tend to
go back to my roots where I try to incorporate more natural and real instruments
into my projects. My musical criteria is to make music that is 100% me. My music
is and will always be a reflection of me; so I focus and don’t let myself get
sidetracked. Mind over matter!
Do you feel confident now to produce a more experimental sound?
Sure! Depending on the project, I am not afraid to experiment with various styles
and sounds. However, if a project has a specific mission, such as to get it onto
the radio and airwaves, I try to reduce the odds and keep it more commercial and
neutral.
We all know that the digital revolution has affected sales, but has it affected
creativity?
Of course, sound changes as we mature and advance with technology. I tend to
go back to my roots where I try to incorporate more natural and real instruments
into my projects. My musical criteria is to make music that is 100% me. My music
is and will always be a reflection of me; so I focus and don’t let myself get
sidetracked. Mind over matter!
Do you feel confident now to produce a more experimental sound?
Sure! Depending on the project, I am not afraid to experiment with various styles
and sounds. However, if a project has a specific mission, such as to get it onto
the radio and airwaves, I try to reduce the odds and keep it more commercial and
neutral.
We all know that the digital revolution has affected sales, but has it affected
creativity?
In my opinion it has effected creativity for the better. It’s never been easier to
make music - on a tablet or even on a smartphone. Ideas can easily be recorded
and turned into hits. Collaborations are even easier to conduct. No need to be in
a multi-million dollar studio with vocalists, session musicians and mixing
engineers to record platinum albums… all can be done virtually. Zoom and
FaceTime meetings are great ways for instant connection with your team
members. As a matter of fact one of the advantages of the pandemic was that it
brought us all closer virtually.
Can you tell us what your present and future projects are?
Most of my projects evolve around my label and its artists. Plenty of Funktasy
releases are on the way. I’m in the studio constantly. Every few weeks I will have
new material. I will have my first Funktasy Sessions video out in the next couple
of weeks. It features 10 of my original tracks. I played the full set at Galerie MX in
Montreal. It will be a wicked video with professional dancers. Look out for that
one!
Artist Social Links:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/hossfx/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/hossfx/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hossfx/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hossfx/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/Hossfx
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Z727NmOM8qx8f8nZ0kUJ8?si=O6YlLtHJTeWYAGf5Iab2EQ&dl_branch=1
Website: https://www.hossmusic.com/
Label Social Links:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/FunktasyRecords/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/funktasy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/funktasy
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/funktasy/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/funktasytv
Website: https://www.funktasy.com/
