What inspired this release?
For the past few years, I had been preparing several versions of what was to be my first EP. I’m not from the US, and at the time had been dealing with issues that would have me leave the country. Having this be the first thing on my mind made me feel the parallels with what many people in my family have lived. The idea of leaving where you’re from, of embracing another culture, of connecting and understanding in a new place. It sometimes feels like an impossible task that yet so many have to do.
This happened around the time of the pandemic, and with nothing else on my hands, what started as the backbone tracks of an idea (the starting choice – “Encer’s Answer”, no coming back “there’s only staying” and finally the connection “Everything in every moment”) turned into 10 tracks that finally tell a cohesive story.
What’s something you always wanted to write a song about but never did? I’ve been wanting to focus on something fun – something I usually kept for my edits, remixes & DJ sets, rather than for my albums. I’d like to use the experience & the learnings I’ve gathered so far to try to take on a next more lighter hearted project.
Any funny anecdotes from the time you were recording or writing this? Like a lot of other people I’m sure, I got pretty obsessed with my plants during the confinement part of the pandemic. However, one of them kept on having one of its giant leaves die every time a new one would grow. I went back to my favorite plant shop (hi joy’s flower pot!) and asked her why that would happen. She laughed and told me that in order for new things to grow, the older ones must die – for plants and for us,for everything in every moment. This was such a simple moment but it’s what helped me close this album and give a title to the last track.
What’s your favorite thing to do besides music?
This is kind of a scary question because it makes me realize that so much of my time is spent around music – tinkering on synthesizers, playing piano, digging through records and going to shows and seeing my friends play. Outside of this, I’m a very avid reader – I’m always between 3/4 books, some I’ll never finish & some I’ve re-read for the 100th time.
What’s a record or artist that shaped your creativity?
Rather than a single artist, I think there was this connection between indie rock & electronic music that guided me in the late 00s / early 10s into the music where I am today – Caribou, Floating Points, Four Tet, Jamie XX – this was my introduction to electronic music and a lot started from there.
Who is an artist or band you look up to today?
I’ve been very impressed by Leon Vynehall’s music and his range – especially the evolution from his previous house music albums to the “Nothing is still” and “Rare, forever” albums. He developed his sound in a very unique way that now is recognizable in his other productions for other artists.
What excites you the most about what you do?
Very excited about how much I still have to learn and how much I can grow in this. I don’t intend to stay confined and I’m going to keep on experimenting as long as I can.
Hazim has shows coming up in Miami, Tulum and NYC.