INTERVIEW: HOSS

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/