This week on the show we have a very cool guest mix from Hironimus Bosch! I’ve been a fan of the man for a few years both for his own tunes as much as for his amazing label AUX Technology. He has consistently supported and pushed the deeper, more tech and dare I say interesting end of breakbeat for years. Needless to say a Hironimus or AUX track pretty much makes every show or set I play. This mix showcase where the man’s head is at and includes a few exclusives first time plays of some of his fresh tracks. This is chunky, techy and groovy – GTFI!
Hironimus graciously gave some time to do the DBS interview, with the full transcript below he tells us about how he gets tuns for AUX and how it all started with a cello…
Show: Disc Breaks with Llupa ft. Hironimus Bosch
Date: Thursday, 24th April 2014
Time: 1000 – 1200 UK (7-9pm here in Brisbane)
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Hironimus Bosch
Hironimus Bosch (AKA Jonny Gough) is a music professional with over 15 years experience of studio, DJ and live performance work. His productions under various aliases have garnered support from DJs such as Annie Nightingale, Leeroy Thornhill, Plump Djs and The Crystal Method. As a DJ he has played alongside underground heavyweights including Pedro Delgardo, Chris Liberator, Jay Cunning, General MIDI and D.A.V.E. The Drummer. His hard-hitting, tech-infused, beats have been championed by labels such as Diablo Loco, Bombtraxx, Subtribe and VIM as well as his own AUX imprint. Since its inception 6 years ago AUX has amassed a catalogue of well over a hundred tracks spread over more than 30 releases. In this short time AUX has gained support from a collection of A-list Djs including Carl Cox, Laurent Garnier, Hybrid and James Zabiela.
INTERVIEW – Hironimus Bosch
Why breaks and what got you into it?
When I was at uni, one of my house mates introduced me to it and I just couldn’t get enough of the bass. I was more into Techno and D&B at the time, but Breaks really interested me because it could be mixed alongside Techno and it had a lot of crossover appeal. It was all just starting to kick off at the time and the Bass always sounded so deep and dangerous. Music for the head as well as the dancefloor.
What are your musical influences and who is exciting you musically at the moment?
I would need a whole book to list all my musical influences as I guess everything I listen to influences me in some way, even the really terrible stuff. I have an insatiable appetite for new music so I’m always listening to new sounds. The artists who are really doing it for me right now are (in no particular order): Si-Begg, Reset Robot, Turbowolf, Foamo, Martyn, Livity Sound, Om-Unit… I could go on all day – but I won’t.
How do you go about crafting a new tune or remix?
My methods change and evolve all the time, but sometimes I get into a comfortable flow and I make as many tunes as I can until it gets stale. I’m always learning and improving.
Bass and groove is the most important thing to me so I usually start there and develop ideas from that. Sonic doodling basically. I usually mix as I write.
What is your musical background and what instruments do you play, if any?
I used to play Cello when I was a kid and then I taught myself guitar when I was 14 and started a band. It was a lot of fun and we used to play in clubs and bars, we even won a couple of competitions. It was a punk/rock band and I was well into that until I discovered dance music.
When you sit down to write a tune do you know how it will sound in the end or just go with whatever comes out at the time?
I think I used to just go with whatever came out when I first started, simply because I wasn’t skilled enough in the studio. Now I get an idea in my head when I’m having a shower or cooking and then just get in the studio as quick as possible to nail it down. It’s much easier now to translate ideas from my head into the studio.
What equipment do you use and what is your favourite bit of Kit?
To be honest I’m a bit of a gear junkie, especially because I’m doing so much mastering and mixing now for AUX. I’m fortunate to get to use a lot of high-end hardware in the AUX studio which is a lot of fun. Although Plug-ins have come a long way, there’s nothing like having the real analogue hardware at your fingertips. I wouldn’t say I have a favourite piece because they all have their part to play and they all sound amazing otherwise I wouldn’t have them in the studio. Having said that the UAD cards get a lot of love when I’m mixing, as they are in some cases indistinguishable from the real thing. I love the Lexicon 224 reverb and the EL-Fatso is just awesome.
If I really had to choose a favourite would it be boring if I said my main monitors? The AUX studio has Quested V3110 mains mounted on twin Quested X12 subs and they are my real work horses. It’s a monster 4 way system flat from 20Hz – 22Khz with a combined power rating of about 3KW. Its critically accurate with the same power and depth as a full club soundsystem. I work on them sometimes for 12 hours a day and my ears don’t get tired simply because they do not distort even at high volume. Although to be honest I’ve never turned them up above half way! They are without doubt some of the best in the world and the factory is only a couple of hours drive from the studio, which is a real bonus.
Do you write any other genre’s of music?
Sometimes, in fact I’m toying with the idea of using a new alias for my next project.
In what direction are you heading musically and what new releases have you got in store for us?
This guest mix is a pretty good indication of where I’m headed musically and I’ve managed to sneak a few unreleased tracks of my own on there. Techno has always been my main passion and fusing that with Breakbeats and bass music has always been my main focus.
I’ve got a couple of new releases in the pipeline and some new collaboration projects which I’m working on; all top secret of course 😉
What qualities are you looking for when signing tunes/artists to AUX?
I think the most important thing is that it’s got to have dancefloor appeal, I know that’s an obvious thing, but so many tracks I get sent just don’t have any of that. If it’s not going to work on a dancefloor then I’m not interested in signing it. I also look for music which has an edge, AUX has always been an underground label so the music has to have something gritty about it. Beyond that I always like to work with artists who are pushing the boundaries and fusing styles. Artists like PRZK and Rcaine are really making music which is sort of indefinable because it draws on so many different influences and I really love that when you’re listening to a track and you suddenly think ‘What the hell is this music?’ Production quality is also important but if a track needs some extra work, then with the artists permission I just do a fresh mixdown in the AUX studio.
What do you think of the current state of breaks worldwide and where do you see the future?
Woah, big question! I think that there is loads of amazing new music out there which uses Breakbeats and there’s some really great things happening in the UK bass scene right now which is really inspiring. I think the musical term ‘Breaks’ has almost become a dirty word and it’s a pretty niche group of people who are really into it now. ‘Breaks’ as a genre has had it’s peak just like D&B and Dubstep and there will always be a hardcore group of fans which is great.
Using Breakbeats as a drum rhythm rather than a music genre on the other hand is a really thriving trend, it’s just being re-invented as other new styles. So the future for me isn’t really in ‘Breaks’ as a genre, I just like music which uses Breakbeats.
What came first the producing or the dj’ing?
I got into sound recording, engineering and producing well before I started DJing.
What do you listen to when you’re not writing/dj’ing?
Dub, Reggae, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Soul, Rock, Metal, Punk, Ska, Blues, Classical, Electronica… everything really.
What do you do when you’re not producing music?
Mastering, mixing, running the label, managing the studio, Djing, going to gigs. parties… it’s all about the music really. Except when I need some exercise, its good to get out the studio sometimes and there’s some great mountain bike trails nearby. At the other end of the spectrum, I love real ale and single malt whisky.
Tell us something about yourself we wouldn’t know to ask….
I don’t believe in vaccinations or promos.
Show: Disc Breaks with Llupa ft. Hironimus Bosch
Date: Thursday, 24th April 2014
Time: 1000 – 1200 UK (7-9pm here in Brisbane)