A specialist at crafting complex, dark, grainy low-frequency soundscapes Houston Harrelson brilliantly weaves enigmatic basslines with hip-hop roots performing and producing under the alias HOUMAN. Precisely-timed clefts between plunges of gritty bass, inventive fills, and puzzling melodies, as depicted in originals such as ‘Crossed’ or ‘Daewoo,’ demonstrate Harrelson’s ability to build a vivid depth and suspense within each release. In contrast, an ever-expanding cache of remixes, such as Denzel Curry’s ‘CLOUT CO13A1N’ and J. Cole’s ‘KOD,’ showcase a seamless blending of HOUMAN’s granular synth-work with the familiarity of hip-hop vocals.
It was a real treat to connect with HOUMAN to discuss creativity, Wavecraft Collective, his latest Psyche EP, as well as what is still to come during the remainder of 2020. Take a look at the full interview & guest mix with HOUMAN, out now below!
Where did you initially grow up and where are you currently residing?
I am originally from South Carolina but have spent the past few years in Asheville, North Carolina. It’s a pretty cool city that is home to both Moog and Make Noise, which are two of the most popular synth companies in the world. You can find me in one of their showrooms at least once a week tinkering.
I am a firm believer in the idea that theory and rules can only take you so far – In the end, it comes down to the question ‘Does it sound good?’
To what extent are your musical capabilities self-taught as opposed to classically learned?
Almost everything I know about production and music theory is self-taught, with the exception of some close friends who have bestowed wisdom over the years and a few sleepless nights watching YouTube tutorials. I am a firm believer in the idea that theory and rules can only take you so far – In the end, it comes down to the question ‘Does it sound good?’
When do you typically feel the most inspired or inclined to create?
Usually, I like to have a whole day to create. I find my most prosperous sessions come from days that I wake up and hop into the studio with no other obligations. Often times I spend the early part of my sessions trying to create solid ideas/loops and not worrying about technicality as much. I find that when you save those practices for later in the process you are more capable of fleshing the idea itself out.
What role has the Wavecraft Collective played in helping to shape and support your career as a producer?
WC has played a huge role in shaping where I am today in music. Some of my first releases were with them and the support has always been through the roof! Not to mention most of the team over there were my best friends back home. Be on the lookout for a release or two with them in 2020!
We are not static. The spectrum that our minds inhabit is broad and ever-changing — a concept I feel is present throughout the project.
You remarked that your latest EP Psyche drew inspiration from patterns of the mind, such as human nature. How did you expand upon these ideas in order to build the visual and audio components of the project?
‘Psyche’ was probably the most fun I’ve had piecing together a project. One of my main objectives when composing those tunes, which all came together over the course of last year, was using each track to represent a totally different emotion/mindset. I thought that was the best way to depict human nature. We are not static. The spectrum that our minds inhabit is broad and ever-changing — a concept I feel is present throughout the project.
Your discography is composed of a rather solid combination of self-released tracks and collaborations as well as an assortment of remixes, flips, and edits. How do you compare and contrast your mentality when working between the two?
I’ve made it a point to try and create a wide assortment of content/releases. Often times the remixes or edits start as just a note on my phone. I find making these types of beats provide an environment with less stress and often times do it when I am in a rut creatively. Some of them end up solid enough that I feel others should hear. Countless others get trashed! When you compare that to putting a project together, there’s a lot less planning involved. Plus, everybody loves a good remix.
You recently teased a forthcoming remix for an EarthGang track and stated it as being one of your favorite remixes to date. What made this one so special, and when can we expect to get a full look at the tune?
The full release will be available later this month [2/28]. This edit came together so quickly and my original plan was to just use it in my live sets, but after teasing the track alongside a few others on a social media poll the interest I received confirmed that I had to finish and release it. I love the energy of the tune and there was enough space in the original that I felt I could add my touch while remaining true. Listeners may hear a sneak peek of it if they stay until the end of the guest mix.
One of my main focuses of this upcoming year is the build more of a community around my music.
What goals have you set out to achieve over the course of the next year, and what can fans look forward to seeing or hearing from you as 2020 continues to unfold?
I have a few songs for my next project started, alongside multiple singles coming within the next few months both on labels and my personal page. One of my main focuses of this upcoming year is the build more of a community around my music. I feel like oftentimes rising producers reach when, in reality, we are more capable than ever of growing and maintaining a true fan base without any outside influence. This is not to say help is unnecessary or even unwarranted, but self-reliance will always be a priority of mine.
Where are you taking listeners with this mix?
This mix is a combination of my most recent EP, multiple unreleased IDs, and tracks I’ve been playing out at shows lately. Listeners will also hear many of my collaborations with my good friend Fryar – including a tune that premiered here on FUXWITIT late last year. There is a healthy dose of rap/hip-hop mixed with some halftime ringers. The energy remains at a high level for most of the session which is what can be expected from most of my live sets also. Near the end of the mix I included some mashups I have never played out and, as stated earlier, an early preview of the EarthGang remix I have prepared for my next release.
Thank you guys so much for listening!
Tracklist:
Houman – Psyche
Houman – Daewoo
Houman x Fryar – FYBM
Saka – Shuriken
Tek Genesis x Halinae – Head Kick
dope – Lit in the Rave
Ivy Lab – Wideboi
Houman x Dugosh – Paradigm Shift
Pigeon Hole – In the Dark
Fryar – Evergreen
Houman x Fryar – Crossed
Moniker – Morning Star (Houman Mashup)
Houman x Fryar – Nerve
Houman x Fryar – Ricochet
Sam Binga x Halogenix – Flexah
Stylust – Woah!
J.I.D. – D/vision (Houman Edit)
Houman x Sejo – ID
Houman x Digital D – Foul Child
Tek Genesis – amber (Houman Mashup)
Lordel – Chipset
EarthGang – UltraRare (Houman Edit)
