Music Q&A: HAAi

What informs your music and songwriting?
It changes all the time. Sometimes it can be what you’re listening to or playing, sometimes it can be from what films you’ve been watching. However when I’m deep in writing/recording I try not to actively listen to anything too influential, so I know the ideas have come from inside as much as possible.

How have you evolved as an artist evolved over the years?
Immensely. Before I became a DJ and was involved in dance music I was in a psych band called Dark Bells where I played lead guitar and was the singer. We were together and toured for around five years. Since then my production has changed loads. Now I mostly work by myself and use a lot more software instead of working live, for the time being anyhow.

What are you up to at the moment artistically?
I’m currently working on the next two EPs that will come out on my label Coconut Beats, as well as a couple of remixes. Always making.

What’s on your rider?
Vodka, beer, water and towels – it’s sweaty work up there.

Tell us your most embarrassing or surreal experience.
Probably most surreal experience would be playing this year’s Sunfall with the Black Madonna. That was the biggest crowd I’d ever played to and weirdly the most chilled I’ve felt while playing. She’s one of my favourite humans on the planet. Embarrassing? I’m pretty easily distracted so have often walked off with headphones round my neck that are still attached to the mixer. Happens a LOT on my RinseFM show as I’m usually catching up with whoever’s working that day, talking about the weekend and not concentrating on what I’m doing. If anyone’s seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding, you’ll have an idea of how this plays out. Other notable experiences would be mixing in a track with headphones on and realising you have slid up the wrong fader so it’s still just the one tune playing. The list goes on…

What song do you wish you’d written?
If I Had a Heart, by Fever Ray.

What’s your worst lyric?
Ummmm… ha! I’m sure there’s many. I once wrote a tune back in my guitar singer-songwriter days when I was about 19, called Disco Eyes. Actually get a full body shudder when I think about the lyrics that went into that mess. Thought it was pure poetry at the time as well.