USA based producer Hands Free fuses deep driving drums with dark melodies to create his own take on the deeper side of house. His music has already found it’s way into DJ sets of artists such as Tale of Us, Thugfucker, and Sasha to name a few. His first EP was released in 2014 on Faceless Recordings with follow ups on My Favorite Robot, Dilate, and in 2015 Connaisseur Recordings. Ahead of his remix on Constant Circles, we grabbed 5 minutes with him for a quickfire chat…
Tell us the concept behind the name “Hands Free”
Hands Free means to disconnect from your surroundings and let it all go.
How long have you been making music and how did it all start for you?
I started djing in the late 90’s and have been producing/recording music my whole life.
What are the key items in your studio and do you have a process when making a track?
Right now my Prophet 6, moog Sub 37, Strymon Big Sky, Roland Space Echo, Soundtoys, and Diva are essential parts of every song I write. I also use a MFB Tanzbar controlled by Maschine for my drums.
You are remixing on the forthcoming Flight Mode EP from ABELL on Constant Circles. How did you approach the remix and what direction did you take it?
I approached it with the idea that led with drums and then focused on melodies that talk to my drums which is a bit of the reverse of my usual.
Are you firstly a DJ, or a Producer? Do you think one is more important than the other?
I started making music (punk bands, drums, guitar, piano) a long time before I started DJing. These days (for the most part) you have to produce to get shows as a dj. Which leads to the dilemma of paying others to write music.
Other than your release on CC, what else do you have lined up for the near future?
I have a remix of Timelapse on Akbal in the next few weeks, a remix with jon Charnis of Dance Spirit and Jay Tripwire which is absolutely mental, a 3 track EP I’m about to start making rounds with, and a few collabs with some amazing artists.
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You have recently had a daughter, has having a family influenced your music and how has it changed your life?
It has absolutely changed my life. I have barely any time for music these days so I have to be as efficient as possibly with my time. My daughter will always come first but her, along with my wife, are great inspirations for my music as they both are the source of my joy.
Tell us about your guest mix on the radio show – how did you put it together and what did you include?
I didn’t want to get too artsy with this one so I just included some amazing songs that I’ve been playing out. Plus a new one from me.
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