Quentin Hiatus has spent 2015 in much, much more creative territories than most. And not just content with simply visiting such territories: he’s ventured in and locked down (no doubt aided by his portable recording ethos as you’ll read), producing some of the most infectious and challenging output of the year, his outlook, personality and slow-burning DNA recognisably typical across the vibe of his label Free Love Digi in general… and more on that in time as he looks across to 2016.
But first… all about I’m Neither Quentin Nor Hiatus Volume 2.
How are you and what have you been thinking about in general since we last spoke?
Man, I’ve been thinking about a lot. I’ve honestly been contemplating taking a break from music for a bit to focus on other areas in my life and recharge a bit.
I’m a bit of a hider and I’ve felt like hiding lately ha ha.
What’s new near you and do you get out and walk this time of year? I quite like it.
Oh man, I’m big on walks this time of year, though I must admit, I haven’t taken advantage like I should. I live along the greenbelt here in Scottsdale surrounded by water, it’s pretty amazing and beautiful.
This time of year we get all the seasonal birds migrating through.
Tell me how this ‘part 2’ of your ep, your work came about… it has its own voice/life/personality. It’s urgent and thoughtful.
Thanks for the words. Yeah, Vol 2 has a bit more urgency and energy than Vol 1.
Volume 2 is definitely meant to move the body along with the mind. Vol 1 is a bit more cerebral.
I didn’t really have a plan for it other than that: have more energy and movement than Vol 1.
I love ‘Always Sunny’, what inspired?
This is my favourite tune on the the release and the first tune created in the collection. I wanted the tune to stomp but in an intelligent way. It has a gloomy yet energetic quality.
The tune is inspired by the whether we had at the time – rainy and windy. I had almost forgotten what the sun looked like… I’m in Arizona, when we get rain, it’s a big deal!
What inspired ‘Edison’? That is dangerous!
I love ‘Edison’! I wanted this tune to mimic nostalgic house and techno. I thought about taking the old and mixing it with the new. I had recently watched a documentary on Nikolai Tesla and of course, Edison was mentioned quite a bit.
Have you had op to play this material out live, and what’s the reaction?
Yes, I just played quite a few of these tunes out back in late Nov. The response was amazing!
It felt really good as I mixed and mastered all of them myself and was quite worried about how they’d sound in the club.
What things in your studio could you not live without? I mean when you’re not there it must be a lovely place to think back about? I mean you must get so deep there.
Hehe, you’d be surprised to know my “studio” is a laptop and Audeze EL-8 headphones. I’m constantly on the move so I don’t really have that opportunity to sit in my studio which is non-existant these days.
I even go as far as making tunes in my car via car speakers and auxiliary cables.
I’d say, my sample library and my headphones are most important to me.
So where else do you produce?
Coffee shops, my couch, the park. I’m pretty much always mobile making tunes.
What inspired that final tune?
‘I Stop’ is inspired by my deep love for moody progressive music sprinkled with soulful afro vocals.
I really wanted that tune to be minimal yet progress into quite the memorable piece.
Tell me about plans for your label for 2016?
Tunes and surprises! New bits from Sinistarr, Ghast, Thomas B, Atic, myself and new signing Moralz aka Jo-S. I’m excited to have Jo-S on as he’s making some amazing future yet nostalgic stuff.
What films or anything visual have you loved lately?
I’m really enjoying Jessica Jones on Netflix. I saw The Force Awakens and loved the sh*t out of that. I’m always doing my Dragon Ball Z thing. [NB: check previous interview for more on the latter]
And wishes for the holiday season QH?
Big love and happy holidays to all FLD crew and family. May we keep expressing ourselves the best way we know how – through our music.
