Mike Hoska

We now visit with Rhode Island's Mike Hoska.

You got into music at the age of 9, being inspired by the likes of Herbie Hancock's Rockit. Can you tell us what you found appealing about electronic music at such a young age?
My brother gave me a Yamaha synthesizer (pretty sure it was a CS-01) and a breath controller for my birthday that year. The sweeping pads and explosive sounds reminded me of movies like Tron and Star Wars (or anything sci-fi that had to do with space or technology actually) And with the whole break dancing, B-boy movement making it into the mainstream media, I had plenty of bass driven, high energy beats to fall in love with.

Do you look at today's electronic music in the same way you did when you started?
I do as far as my love for making music and the endless possibilities I’m given now to write, or design sounds for tracks, but I was much to young to go out then and be part of any 'scene'.

You also started DJ'ing at young age. Can you tell us what DJ's and artists inspired you early on? And what are some of the more recent DJ's and artists which you are listening to and influenced by?
There were a few mix shows on the air in Miami then. Two guys that really stand out in my mind were Lazaro Mendez and Ray Hernandez. Dj Magic Mike, and the Miami Bass crews Jam Pony Express and 2 Live Crew were others that introduced me to Bass music. Also I’d have to say Magic Mike’s scratching style was somewhat of a goal I had to achieve. He was the first dj I ever heard perform fast scratching over bpm’s above 120. Artists and acts that I also really loved were Cybotron, Quadrant Six, Kraftwerk, Bose, Soul Sonic Force, Prince, etc. Pretty much everyone else’s influences at that time. A few years Later I was really into Baby Ford, The early Tresor stuff, then when Underworld released their first album I definitely knew that there was no turning back.

Can you tell us a bit of history on your DJ'ing accomplishments?
Years ago I entered and won quite a few small competitions at local nightclubs and shopping malls in Florida where break dancing competions would be going on. I’ve been in a few regional and national DMC championship finals. Numark Industries has me demo their flagship mixer’s, turntables, and CD players at trade shows.

What were some of your most memorable shows, or highlights in your career?
To be honest some of the best shows I’ve ever done or even been at are just small loft parties right here in Providence. There’s a great little scene here of artists, and musicians that are really creative and down to earth outside of the club world that genuinely like to go out and see others perform. The WMC in Miami is also always a blast to play at most parties. But the Tantra Parties I did with Groovefire and D:Fuse the last three years were insane. Also Steve Porter’s 'Porter House Party' in 2005 was crazy as well. DC has given me some of my best gigs too, rooms are always packed and people just furiously dance till the last track of the night.

At what point did you start releasing your own original tracks?
Around 2002 - 2003

How has DJ'ing influenced the music that you make?
It’s given me the awareness of being responsive to an audience on command. I try to stay in touch with what I know gets a reaction out of people while still trying to stay with in the bounds of the project I’m working on.

Do you play your original material with a live band, or are these tracks included with your DJ sets?
Both actually, I have a couple guys that are amazing guitar players that have sat in the studio for recording and actually come out and play over my dj sets live occasionally.

Are you currently signed to a label, or looking for one?
Nothing exclusive. The track “Earthquake” I produced with Todd Hanna of Groovefire is on Little Mountain Recordings out of Holland. That track has done really well and the remix is currently on Sander Kleinenberg’s newest compilation “This is Everybody Too”. Another track I did under Groovefire is “Mama” which is out on Release Grooves and hit # 3 on the Balance Charts. And my most recent track “Telephone door” is on Reversible records and also on Steve Porter’s “Porterhouse” compilation, which consists of all local artists in the New England area. (thanks Steve)

What equipment do you use when making music?
When using my computer for composition I sequence in Sonar. Plug-ins I use are the Oddity, Pro53, Arp 2600 by Arturia, and the Ohmforce package. I use the Akai MPC 2500 otherwise. I use the Electron Monomachine, the Roland V-Synth, Korg’s MS-2000B, the Electrix Filter Factory, MOFX, and Warpfactory, The TC Electronix Finalizer 96K, Aphex’s 204 big bottom aural exciter, Numark TTX’s & CDX’s and DXM09 for sampling and scratches, an Alesis Multimix board and of course my beloved Revolution.

Several of your tracks use the Revolution synthesizer. Can you tell us about it's role in your music, and what tracks it's been used on?
It’s a piece that I can always bring with me to any gig (because its so light and easy to slave to any unit). It sounds amazing over drums alone. I never owned a TB303 but have been in love with Acid House for years. It’s very easy to make changes with on the fly using the remix knobs, so it pretty much serves its purpose as a bass line or a lead on a lot of my tracks. It’s highlighted on 'Self Powered', 'Digi Pimp', 'TrackspellX', 'Telephone Door', & 'Sometimes I Feel'

Is there anything in particular that you like about the Revolution?
It has the easiest interface once you get use to it. And it instantly cranks out grooves, I’ve gotten to gigs without a single pattern in it, and in ten minutes with the headphones on I had over an hour worth of material to play with. Not to mention how raw and amazing it sounds. The loop feature and remix knobs are great for creative inspiration, especially if you already have somewhat of a twisted groove going, it will rearrange that to the next level and surprise the hell out of you.

Are there any new releases or tours coming soon that we should check out?
I’ve got a four track EP coming out on NOSI music. And a four track EP coming out on Cozy in June. Those two EP’s are being released digitally only. Both will be available on most online retailer sites, as well as the EP coming out on NOSI. Reversible Records will be releasing the track “Telephone Door” as a single maybe with a remix soon as well. I wish I had time to set up a tour. I don’t have exclusive representation at the moment so I pretty much handle all that myself and there doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day to handle both at the moment.

Any words of wisdom for those just starting out DJing and producing music?
From the dj side of things, years of hard practice are the only way to be a proficient DJ, technically. But as far as the relationships you build along the way that comes down to your personality and people skills. If you’re pursuing this professionally, try and promote yourself as much as you can without being arrogant, support others and be cool, but don’t be a pushover you don’t want to be playing to an empty room at 10pm for free 15 years down the road. When you’re confidant in your abilities, you will know. From a production stand point, try to acquire obscure gear so you don’t sound like everyone else. Don’t be afraid to step outside the box and try some different arrangements. And listen to as much different music as possible.

Discography:
2003
Quinta Avaneida (Groovefire)
Energy Shot (Groovefire)
Drive (White Label)
Theres something about (White Label)
2004
The Acid Bus (White Label)
Destination Unknown” (rmx) Missing Persons (White Label)
Headway (White Label)
Newtrip (White Label)
Pseudofeds (White Label)
Free for All (rmx) Ted Nugent (White Label)
2005
Earthquake -Groovefire (Little Mountain)
Mama - Groovefire (Release Grooves)
Dubble Vision (rmx) Foreigner (Hush)
Goodtimes (White Label)
Sometimes I Feel (White Label)
Linda’s Theme -Groovefire (rmx) The Cars (White Label)
2006
Baking Soda (Hush)
Franks 1st Date (Cozy)
Sputniqo (Cozy)
Self Powered (Cozy)
Telephone Door (Reversible)
Digital Pimp (NOSI)
Blues Box (NOSI)
Do Things Right (NOSI)
On Dope (NOSI)

For more information, please visit the following link.
www.myspace.com/mikehoska