Okay so this one’s big. Anyone who’s in need of the usual fix of subwoofer need look no further. Coming live, direct and exclusively from aaaages away 19 year old, Canadian based Iain ‘Hz’ Houghton studied musical production at Vancouvers Institute of Art to help bring the next installment of Eisandnose Exclusives to yer lugholes. He is co-founder and co-honcho of Club Ammo records, who aim to promote pure bass ridden productions, livvid party flow and guarantee full fat bassface. Alternatively, take a mountain and blow it up. You now have a similar vibe. His recent productions dabble in tightly composed monster basslines and fidgeted, choppy samples that hit all the sweet spots. February 24th see’s the drop of Hz’s fierce remix of Jay Klos & Tonye Aganabas’ ’Exploding Girl’, one of many tracks featured in the exclusive mixtape below. Follow up here for a sneaky peek, or hit the soundcloud for the whole shibang. I caught up with Iain to find out how things are going over the pond, and whether he’s a fan of the local beaver. Be sure to keep ‘Hz’ locked to this years radar, hit jump for tracklisting and download the rather colossal mixtape below. Boom.
So who are you and where are you from? What inspired you to start making music and to DJ?
I’m Iain ‘Hz Houghton’, from Vancouver BC, Canada. I started playing guitar and writing music when I was younger and got really into metal. I eventually got a job working at a CD store which was managed by a local DJ (props to Lazy Ninja). He introduced me to electronic music and eventually taught me how to DJ.
What’s the scene like over your way at the moment? What’s making people tick?
I’m sure everyone’s heard by now, dubstep’s getting bigger and bigger over here. It seems like you can’t go anywhere without hearing it, or hearing it mentioned. It’s really funny though, if I were to play dubstep a couple years back I would get nasty looks from the pretty girls. Now I seem to get those same looks if I don’t.
Coolest thing about Canada?
I’m really proud of our music scene at the moment. There’s so many great producers from Canada putting out some really amazing stuff right now. There’s even been a lot of producers moving over from the UK lately because of it. That’s got to say something right?
Where does the inspiration or the influences come from, and what happens when you get into the studio and start producing?
I get inspired by a lot and try to make a point of listening to music outside of the dance scene on a regular basis. When I’m producing, depending on what it is I’m working on, I’ll start with different elements. If it’s a remix I’ll start off by finding the main samples I want to chop out from the original. If I’m working on an original and I have an idea of what I’m going for I’ll start by making the patches I want to use over a pretty basic drum loop.
Baby Blue (Hz Houghton Remix) – Scanners
What’s your thoughts on electronic music today? Is there anything you’d change, or would like to try and influence?
Dance music is so crazy right now, it’s amazing. The standards seem to keep getting higher and higher. It’s a lot more challenging to produce a top quality dance tune today and that really pushes you as a producer.
What could we expect to hear from Hz Houghton live?
You’ll hear everything. I have a really broad taste in music and try to express that in my DJ sets. I’ll play anything from dubstep to disco.
Little birdies say that big things are in store for 2011, including the launch of you very own record label…! Tell us a bit about what you’ve got planned…
I’ve got so much planned for this year. Me and Elliot Mars recently started up Club Ammo Recordings. We have an EP out on a handful of digital download sites, and have a bunch more to come including a split with me and Elliot, as well as a couple of releases from some other fantastic producers. I’ve also got a bunch of remixes that’ll be coming out so keep an eye out for those.
What kind of sound will you be looking to push, and are there any artists that we should keep an eye on?
We’re pushing bass music, plain and simple. I don’t want to put any restrictions on the sound as far as genre. Make sure to keep an eye out for Elliot Mars, Warrior Music and Mr. Floyd. Be sure to follow up and show the boys support here.
Riddim – Hz Houghton
What top three things are you looking for when you listen to aspiring producers music?
Good engineering, unique sounds, and some interesting/forward thinking musical ideas.
Who would win between a Cougar and a Beaver?
Nothing beats a nice beaver. ✓
Thanks to Hz Houghton, all the best for 2011. Keep him locked on facebook & Soundcloud
Hz Houghton – Eisandnose Exclusive Mixtape
Tracklisting
1. Ajapai – Get Down Lay Down
2. Sean Godsall – Four On The Floor (Dodge & Fuski Remix)
3. Calvertron & Figure – Bring The Bass Back (Calvertron Remix)
4. Bratkilla – E-Fekt
5. Jay Klos & Nestor Delano – Exploding Girl (Hz Houghton Remix)
6. Bassment Jaxx – Where’s Yo Head At (Hulk’s Rave Monster Remix)
7. The Cataracs ft. Dev – Bass Down Low (Proper Villains Remix)
8. Chase & Status – Blind Faith (Trolley Snatcha Remix)
9. Bare Noize – Nocturnal VIP
10. Hulk – Run Train
