Belgium’s Hermanez is rapidly rising to the top of the new crop! His grooving, tribal-flecked tech-house productions have graced labels such as Trapez LTD, Viva Music, Leena Music, Noir and Suara among many, regularly featuring on top jocks playlists from Luciano to Loco Dice and Reboot and more!
Ratha Gud checks in…
Hermanez a big welcome to DMCWORLD… where in the world are you right now?
It’s a pleasure, thank you for inviting me! I was born and live in a small town called Genk in Belgium.
What was the first piece of music you heard this morning after crawling out of bed?
It’s sunday morning after a peaceful weekend: Ludovico Einaudi – Primavera.
How would you describe your sound?
Euhm…hard to say…pumpy, techy, edgy, emotional whateverness!
You’re about to unleash 2 very different remixes of ‘Daarp’ by Daniele Di Martino & Solvane on The Plot Music, tell us about the release and how you set about creating the 2 remixes.
I really like the original track a lot, despite the different genre, it was a challenge for me to keep the musical aspect from it and my actual sound. The 3 am version was made first, the 6am version was a jam session after a weekend out with friends.
More besides, you’re very busy on the releases front with a great selection of new tracks out on Circle Music, AdMaiora, with more on the way on Trapez and My Favourite Freaks. How important is it for a producer to release across many different labels and why?
I think it’s important to get discovered by releasing on different labels, to exploit your music in different scenes around the globe. I’m not saying it’s the only solution to release on as many labels possible. But if you stick with a few labels who believe in the artist’s music and do this with the same passion as the artists, it’s a great interaction.
What piece of studio kit is essential to your sound?
Speakers and room acoustics, all the rest like soundcard, synths. Software is important too, but useless when the speakers and acoustics are not honest enough to my ear. I moved my studio many times and it was always a struggle to get my ears back on track. My gear isn’t actually creating my sound.. Everyone can use my equipment and will produce a total different piece of music. I think the main key to distinguish from the other music productions is to make your very own decisions in creating a track, perhaps not everyone will accept your particular idea, but at least it’s something YOU’ve created.
How do you set about writing your tracks and where do you get your inspiration from?
Ideas or onspiration just pop up, and the fact that it can happen everywhere, can be frustrating when you’re not in the studio.. In most cases I can’t write them down and I always hope to remember them when I’m back in my musical environment. But I cannot just call them and invite them for a coffee.. entering the studio is only when the ideas occur. SO I can’t actually say where I got my inspiration from.
Have you got a favourite track of your own?
Hermanez & BP – Octa Motus.
What’s been your biggest challenge so far?
Being a responsible father nowadays.. everything said with that, did I?
Who are your current top 5 producers?
Lost Desert
Stimming
Unur
Sebastian Mullaert
Archie Hamilton
Who is currently rocking it on the Brussels scene?
Lost Desert is for me one of the biggest musical upcoming Belgian artists. All his tracks and dj sets are just stunning.. He’s also one of the few good friends and an artist we in Belgium can be proud of. Just go listen and discover for yourself!
Which record makes you say “Damn, I wish I’d made that”?
Sebastian Mullaert – Windmaker : Such an amazing track!
Finally what’s coming next from you?
So far my next releases will be coming on My Favourite Freaks, The Plot Music, Badbarbie Records and Celesta Music.
