Noise: Hugo Barritt

We always like to introduce new artists to the masses and Hugo Barritt was new on our radar as a producer. Some will be familiar with Hugo from the London circuit and with his next release dropping on the highly-respected Vitalik, he’s certain to be become more and more familiar to a wider audience.

His “Merkaba EP” caught our ear when we first heard it prompting us to have a chat with the New Zealander about his release on Vitalik, his forthcoming offering on murmur and how he got to where he is today…

Hi Hugo, for those of us who might not be familiar with you, tell us a little bit about yourself…

Both my parents teach piano so music has always surrounded me and I have always been encouraged be to be creative. When I was 8, I became interested in the electric guitar and my family really supported me with this; in the following ten years I went to various tutors and played in various Rock, Jazz and Funk bands in New Zealand right up to a professional level.

You went on to study sound engineering, was DJing a natural progression? That came before producing right?

DJing came quite a while before I started producing electronically. The sort of audio engineering I studied and focused on back then was primarily based around using large analogue mixing desks, physically patching effects units into channels and recording live instruments using reel to reel. This was a fundamental time for me as it taught me a deeper understanding of what sound actually is and how to manipulate it. It also gave me a chance to meet other students that were into electronic music, which opened my mind to other styles.

What got you into spinning records rather than making them initially?

I guess spinning records was my transition from playing live music to electronic. In 1998, I went on a six month band tour/travel around the world and took vinyl with me, which I had also started collecting and playing. I ended up DJing at some pretty random little places in Poland, Germany, Singapore and even India. We stopped through London so I went out clubbing, which had a massive impact on me in terms of music and vibe and really fell in love with the place. I went back to NZ for three months to save just enough money for a one way ticket back and left my old life behind - pretty extreme looking back now as I was only a teenager and knew only one person in London at the time.

We read you were quite immersed in the London scene, promoting Robert Owens residency and playing at well-respected parties such as Lo*kee, Laser Magnetic etc - was there a tipping point when you went from throwing parties to playing them?

Promoting was a great fun and really introduced me to a lot of people. Over the two years of promoting, I started getting the odd gig here and there with friends who ran parties like Laser Magnetic, Retox and Lo*kee. In 2007, I got a monthly residency at The End’s AKA bar for a night called The Players. I loved playing there for the final year The End was open, as the club held a lot of happy memories for me.

Is there one record you can always rely on to fill a dancefloor?

Really depends on what kind of people are in the room, what state they’re in and what time it is. It’s a tough question but I’d say Cajmere ‘Feelin’ Kinda High’ is definitely up there, also 2000 and One ‘Honey Bush’ always seems to bring a good vibe.

You’re now focusing on producing, working with Vitalik, how did that come about? An impressive place to start…

I got in touch with Ryan O’Gorman, who runs the label, through a mutual friend. Ryan liked my sound and it all went from there. Vitalik has really played a huge part in taking me to the next level by involving me in this year’s Space compilation [We Love… Vitalik] and releasing the ‘Merkaba EP’. I totally respect their ethos in taking new artists like myself and putting them alongside an amazing mix of well-established producers. The music that comes out of Vitalik is always a high calibre, so it’s an honour to be involved.

Merkaba - Vitalik Recordings by Hugo Barritt

As you mentioned, your latest EP on the label is out this month, the “Merkaba EP”, “Merkaba” is quite a percussive track - where did the inspiration come from?

I guess from a lot of the music I listen to and enjoy the most. I love percussive groove and the energy it creates and is something I try to incorporate into my sound.

When you’re not making tunes, is there a particular party you’re fond of going to or DJ you like to hear?

London Electric’s ‘A Night With’, Lo*kee and No Fit State are all top quality – they’re places where you feel the people, promoters, and DJs are all at one; there to enjoy music with no sort of hierarchy going on.

Hugo Barritt Ft. Robert Owens - You Are by murmur records

What have you got coming up, a release on murmur right? Can we expect more music and appearances in the New Year?

Yes, my track ‘You Are’ featuring Robert [Owens] is due out on vinyl this month backed with remixes by Efdemin and Tom Demac. I’m really excited about this EP as each track has a different vibe and is strong in its own right. As for more releases, I’m a bit of a perfectionist and so take more time making music; for me it’s more about quality than quantity but I have been working on new material over the last few months so you will see some more of me in 2012.

Thanks Hugo!

“Noise” is a series of interviews with those making BIG noises in the scene.