After spending the last few years cementing himself with a breath of dazzling delights, Las Vegas-based artist HOGTRUCKER returns to the fold once again to deliver his eagerly-awaited new album 'HOGTIED'.
Featuring the previously shared anthem 'Hot Blood', this new eight-track collection makes for an incredibly rich and riveting listen. With its spellbinding production perfectly elevating his shimmering vocal performance throughout, 'HOGTIED' continues to establish him as one of the more inventive names on the rise right now.
So with the new album available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Great Question! While I truly started on saxophone, I really fell in love when I started playing violin. All the string instruments started calling to me from there and that’s why I was able to start composing for them!
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I was a serious pop-punk, post-hardcore Hot Topic emo kid when I was younger, but then dance pop really came and took that for a turn when Lady Gaga entered my life.
What was the first album you remember owning?
To be honest, the first album I did own was Ricky Martin’s self-titled album because I won it at a radio station when I was like 4. I played that album heavy as a very young child, and you know that kind of makes sense to where I wound up today. The first album I bought though was Worlds Collide by Apocalyptica.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Easiest question ever and it’s Still Into You by Paramore. That one affected my songwriting forever when it came out.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
For the most part i just open up my DAW and start working with new sounds I’ve never worked with before until I happen upon something that I never have heard before. But lately, I’ve been starting with the lyrics and it’s been opening up a new world of making those new DAW sounds put in the work they need to be.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I’ve been listening to DJ Heartstring, Confidence Man, KlangKuenstler and Skin on Skin non-stop lately. It’s been all dance music all the time for me lately, I think just getting off my 5th year going to EDC had a lot to do with that one.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Most people think I would say Lady Gaga, but actually I would love more than anything to open for TR/ST. He has really been one of the biggest inspirations to me in the actual writing I’m doing and I know we would be able to make a great show together.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
I love being able to just make a bop. Like I’m not trying to push my persona onto people or make that much of a world or a following, as much as I’m just trying to make a good song. I want someone in the world to hear it, add it to their playlist, and let it change their day. Of course I want to be able to play big venues and get myself out there in that way, but really I just want to be in someone’s earbuds making their day even if they have no clue who I am, and never will.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The most frustrating part is definitely trying to get yourself out there. Social Media has become a hard place to exist as a musician, it’s not like it used to be where everyone you know will see what’s going on. Now you have to use all sorts of tech tricks to get your friends to even know you released some music!
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
White Space. It’s not about the notes, it’s about the space between them that lets them breathe and shine.
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HOGTRUCKER's new album 'HOGTIED' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.