We chat to Vancouver-based Swiss-producer Cyril Hahn, about Canadian hangouts, art history and his first encounter with house ahead of W.A.R Ibiza

When did you first decide music was your thing?

I’ve always really been into music – both as a listener and musician – but the realisation that I could pursue music as a career came very late. Growing up, music has always been a hobby but I never dared dreaming that I could turn it into something more.

What did you grow up listening to?

My parents were really open minded and listened to a lot of different stuff… blues, jazz, classical music, rock… I ’d say that definitely shaped my childhood. I also have an older brother that I looked to when I was little, so I’d often copy him and listen to what he was listening to. That’s how I got into punk and hardcore music as a teenager.

What about house music, when did you first encounter that?

I think it was mostly French House stuff such as Alan Braxe, Daft Punk that I discovered in my late teens. After that I really got into acts such as The Field, Pantha du Prince etc, or what some people would call “Micro House”. It was only about 2 years ago that I really got into house music.

So how do you go about deciding which tracks you remix?

It’s usual the vocals. I look for hooks or sounds that really stand out to me.

Talk us through the process once you decide on the track?

It’s really different every time; I try not to rely on any formulas and apply them blindly. Sometimes I start with the vocals, chop them up and loop a short segment. Then I’ll add drums to that loop, followed by synths. Other times I start with a bassline or synth lead that I’m really into and add the vocals last.

Do you prefer working with instrumental or vocal?

Definitely vocals. Instrumentals are what I can come up with on my own so vocals are a bit more exciting.

How did it feel proving to the world you weren’t just a one trick pony when you released ‘Perfect Form’?

It was great. I mainly just wanted to prove it to myself and I think that I achieved that. It’s nice to be able to move past the remixes and focus on original material instead.

I read you majored in Art History, does that ever come in handy these days?

I haven’t actually majored as I quit university to pursue my music. I think the one thing I learned was to really dissect or deconstruct a piece of art to its single elements, which I can apply to music as well.

Where is the best gig you have ever played?

There’s many favourites but it’s always fun to play in a country/city I haven’t been to yet. I’m really looking forward to my first show in Japan this summer for example.

Japan is amazing. If we came to Vancouver to say hi, where would you take us?

I would probably take you to Lighthouse Park. It’s a bit outside the city but it’s the best place to spend a day in the summer. There’s nice woods and cliffs by the ocean. Great spot for a picnic and some drinks.

Sounds great. What does the rest of 2014 have in store for you?

I just got back from a tour in Europe but I’m heading back there for more shows in July. At the end of July I’m headed to Japan for a festival. In August I’m doing a North American tour which is gonna be very different from most tours, you’ll find out more soon. In terms of released, I wrapped up a couple of songs during spring which should be coming out on an EP on PMR Records soon. One of the songs will be premiered next month I think. I’ll still be playing shows in the fall but I set a lot of time aside for studio time so hopefully I’ll be able to release an album eventually.

See Cyril Hahn at W.A.R! in Ibiza 11th July. For more information please visit ibizarocks.com/war/ .

The post New Noise: Cyril Hahn appeared first on Wonderland.

How did you start out making music? Were you always into DJing and producing?

In high school I started playing guitar and recorded post-rock songs on my computer as I was really into Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai and those kind of bands. Then I started writing folk songs and even picked up the banjo for a bit. About 3 years ago or so I got really bored of my own music and stopped writing completely. Early this year I decided to give electronic music a try and that’s how the Mariah Carey remix came about. I didn’t anticipate the response to my remixes and I didn’t think about playing shows until I started getting a lot of concert offers. I had never DJed before and still don’t really know how to DJ in the traditional way (aka with turntables/vinyl).

You first came to our attention with your Say My Name remix. Are you a big Destiny’s Child fan?

I never listened to Destiny’s Child too much. It’s just one of those groups you kept hearing on the radio or TV growing up, the songs stick with you whether you want it or not. The Destiny’s Child remix started out as an instrumental and I wanted some 90s R&B vocals to be in it. I spent a day trying out samples but I just wasn’t satisfied so I gave up. As I shut down my laptop, ‘Say My Name’ suddenly popped into my head out of nowhere and I knew that it was the sample that would fit perfectly.

There’s not too much info about you out there. What would you like people to know?

I’m also a full time student trying to finish my Art History degree. Although I play parties with my music I’m not a big partier myself, I prefer having laidback dinners or drinks with friends. I love Wes Anderson movies and I’m addicted to TV shows like The Wire and Seinfeld.

So what is it about R&B that fires your imagination?

It’s the vocals, hands down.  They’ve got the best kind of hooks.

You’ve mentioned before in an interview that you used to only listen to punk and hardcore. Do you think those genres have had any influence on you as a producer?

I think so, especially in terms of noise or rather the artful use of noise. I always liked the lo-fi aesthetic of the records I grew up with. I think noise gives a song more character, a certain organic quality. That’s why I often include white noise or field recordings in my production. I don’t want my song to sound too sterile or mechanical.

What’s the song you can always depend on to drop to fire up a dancefloor?

I played a song called Stay by Henry Krinkle a lot this year. It’s this great mix of danceable but deep at the same time.

What’s coming up in 2013?

The remixes I did for Jessie Ware and Gabrielle Aplin should be out early next year. I mostly want to start focusing on originals over next couple of weeks and work on my live set as well. The tour dates for February and March 2013 just got confirmed. Really excited to come play in the UK!

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