Josh Roberts | Online Editor
As internet music sensations go producer and musicianCyril Hahn isn’t what you might call a ‘slow burner’. Hahn, born in Switzerland, began experimenting with music at an early age; but chose to step-back from it to focus on his studies in Vancouver. After a three year hiatus, Hahn returned to the scene and did what some people considered taboo: he stripped-down and remixed two iconic R&B songs (Mariah Carey’s ‘Touch My Body’ and Destiny’s Child ‘Say My Name’).
The remixes slowed and warped vocals, eerily twisted melodies and infused generic R&B lyrics with haunting human emotion. Needless to say they were an overnight hit and furnished Hahn with a huge online following (‘Say My Name’ has been viewed over 1.7m times); and also drew praise from music bigwigs like Annie Mac and The XX. Recently named by Timeout as “officially the coolest man in the world right now”, here Hahn caught-up with UT Online Editor Josh Roberts as he prepares for his first European tour this spring.
University Times (UT): How would you describe your music / sound?
Cyril Hahn (CH): It’s always hard to describe your own music especially since my influences are all over the place which results in my sound being a strange mix of a lot of different genres. I really like writing music that makes you wanna dance without being too clubby or aggressive.
UT: What music did you listen to growing-up and who do you rate now?
CH: When I was growing up I only listened to punk & hardcore and was fairly narrow minded in terms of other types of music. I always liked the lo-fi aesthetic of the records I grew up with. I think noise gives a song more character, a certain organic quality. That’s why I often include white noise or field recordings in my production. I don’t want my song to sound too sterile or mechanical.
Then slowly I started appreciating folk, post-rock, hip hop, ambient and electronic stuff. It was probably musicians like The Field or Caribou which really made me appreciate steady kick drums.
Who do I rate now? Man, there’s so many. I’m just gonna list what pops into my head first and try and keep it short… Evian Christ, Shlohmo, Holy Other, Disclosure, Bicep, Knxwledge, Twin Shadow, How to Dress Well, Grimes, Lotus Plaza, Lapalux, Teebs, Ryan Hemsworth, Fort Romeau, DIIV.
UT: What inspires your music?
CH: Toro Y Moi’s new album, Irmgard Keun and the TV series “Treme”.
UT: In the past you have been a banjo-playing, folk musician. Why did you change direction?
CH: In high school I started playing guitar and recorded post-rock songs on my computer as I was really into Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai and those kind of bands. Then I started writing folk songs and even picked up the banjo for a bit. About 3 years ago or so I got really bored of my own music and stopped writing completely. Early this year I decided to give electronic music a try and that’s when my Mariah Carey remix came about.
UT: Your fan base is very internat ional, do audiences in different countries react differently to your music?
CH: It’s hard to say but I think so. Europe definitely seems to be a lot fonder of house/dance music than Canada where I live at the moment. I haven’t played outside of Canada so far so I’m really excited to see how people will react to my music during my debut European tour.
UT: How has your ‘Say My Name’ remix impacted your career?
CH: Well, I didn’t anticipate the response to my remixes until I started getting a lot of concert offers!
UT: What advice would you have for aspiring musicians and producers?
CH: Don’t think or worry about the result, just start writing. Even if you don’t end up finishing a song, you learn something new with each sketch or idea. At least that seems to be the case for me. Also, don’t
worry about gear too much. You can produce with a really minimal set up these days when you are starting out.
UT: What are you most looking forward to in Ireland?
CH: Hurling! It’s one of the craziest sports I have ever watched. Also it’s just such a nice place to visit. I travelled along the West Coast of Ireland a few years back and it was a truly memorable trip.
UT: What are your ‘tour essentials’?
CH: My gear, Advil, a good book, and some Seinfeld episodes on my laptop for when I get bored on the plane.
Cyril Hahn is performing at Button Factory on March 6th 2013. Tickets are available online from ticketmaster.ie
