H.I.M.W.O.L.

Australian producer H.I.M.W.O.L. has graced top house music labels such as Quantize Recordings, Peppermint Jam, King Street Sounds and Defected Records with his quality sounds. As he gets ready to release his debut album on DJ Spen’s Unquantize label, we say G’day!

 

A huge welcome to DMCWORLD H.M.W.O.L. where on planet earth are you today?

I’m at home in Australia, in the country town of Mildura, Victoria.

What is the best piece of new music you have heard recently?

John Cutler,  E Man ‘It’s Yours’ (Joey Negro Remix) – Joey Negro refreshes this classic for 2018.

Please tell us a little about how you first got into making dance music?

It was 2009 and all I had was an iMac with Logic Pro 7. I just set out to learn the software, then I started to create my own tracks that I would play if I was going to be Dj’ing. From a young age I’ve always found myself playing around on computers, cutting and chopping sounds and loops.

What does your name mean?

H.I.M.W.O.L means House Is My Way Of Life.

Who or what inspires your sound?

I think emotion plays a big part of my sound. I find it very difficult to just sit down and tell myself to create a Deep House track for the sake of it. I need to feel the emotion and draw inspiration from the energy I’m feeling at that specific moment.

You’re about to drop your self titled debut album on DJ Spen’s Unquantize label, what can you tell us about it and are you pleased with how It sounds?

Very pleased with how it all finished up! DJ Spen and Tommy Davis gave me an opportunity in 2013 with my first release ‘Loving U’. Things have been on a gradual build up from there on. The album is emotionally charged and every track has meaning to me, which I think will translate to the listeners. I also wanted the album to show my versatility, it’s a mix of deep, soulful and jackin vibes. “Breathe” “He’s my Baby” “Feel U” are vocal melodies that Angie Librandi, Raye Cole and Devon Howard in their own right enabled me complete what I feel are some high quality tracks and will stand test of time. I was fortunate enough to be asked by MousseT personally to do a remix for Drop Out Orchestra “I Got It” which proved to be one of my most successful remixes and features on the album too.

H I M W O L feat.Marc Evans - Lovin U(Main Mix)

The album is a whopping 17 tracks long, did you set out to make such a big album, or did it just end up that way?

The album changed a lot! I aimed for 10 -12 tracks, but as time went on the album kept evolving.

Please talk us through your favourite track from the album and why it is?

Without a doubt it would have to be “Keys”. The reason being is because it has a sentimental value to me, I began and almost completed the song on the night my father passed way. I was unable to sleep and full of every emotion you can think of and this is what came of it and it timestamped this period in my life. Some people get tattoos as a reminder, I created an everlasting song in honour of my late father.

You’ve released on labels such as Quantize Recordings, Peppermint Jam, King Street Sounds and Defected Records, what’s your own personal favourite release?

My personal favourite would be “I Need U” this track put me on the map and got me a remix with Mousse T.

Tell us about your studio set up?

My studio is basically made up of a computer (Late 2010 Mac Pro), Logic Pro x, Komplete 9, Maschine V1, 49 Korg Taktile. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones and Foster PM2-MKII Studio Monitors.

How do you generally go about putting a new song together?

90% of the time I start with Drums on Maschine, then I try writing some keys, melodies and pads something that fit with my drums and mood at the time. When I’m happy with that, I move across to Logic Pro to start laying it out and arranging it into a track. I then add a Baseline and some more layers of Synths/Piano’s,  I start looking for vocals that I feel will fit with that particular song. Lastly would be some EFX, buildups, crashes and then mix it all down as good as I can get it.

What part of your job do you enjoy the most, writing and producing or Djing?

Writing and Producing for me,  Djing was good early on, don’t get me wrong, but creating your own track gives me the most enjoyment.

We come to raid your record collection, which embarrassing record do you chuck out the window before we arrive?

Outhere Brothers ‘Wiggle Wiggle’.

What record makes you say ‘damn, I wish I made that’?

Louie Vega – Dance (Disco Heat).

What are your 3 current top tunes?

Enmmanuel Jal – Kuar (FNX Omar Remix)

ChinahBlac – Any Love ( House Of Omni Disko Tribute Mix )

Dj Pope Marc Evans – You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine ( Dj Pope Sound of Baltimore Vocal)

Looking back on your career so far, what piece of precious advice would you give to yourself?

Back yourself and never give up.

Finally, what’s next for H.I.M.W.O.L.?

Keep producing more tracks, collaborate with other talented artists and continue to learn whilst evolving my skill set.

H.I.M.W.O.L. Will be released on 26th November on Unquantize Records
https://soundcloud.com/himwol