Hugh Herrera Interview

Matt Tillet catches up with Hugh Herrera in advance of his set at The Big Chill Bar, on Monday 28th August...

How's it going?

Great. Just got out of meditation. Feels like the universe is mine...yours.

Who or what made you set up h-track?

In the late nineties, I had a partner who I collaborated with. We had a sound system, and became a production and DJ duo. We called our efforts Shapeless Recordings. He decided to quit the pursuit. I bought him out. So I was left to start something new. The name h-track materialized as did the notion to create a website to share music and a positive driven lifestyle with the world. Although I've had the domain name since 1999, the site didn't go live the way I had envisioned until 2004. Wow, can't believe it took 5 years.

How would you describe the music policy on h-track?

It's just music to happily waste your day to. I've gotten comments over and over that it has saved people's lives in the office or at home pushing pixels, and that sort of thing. The policy is relaxed with only one condition. It has to be good, meaning palpable to the refined ears of the listener.

Your h-track radio mixes both in terms of the music and your comments paint a very positive picture and give a real sense of where you are coming from both mentally and geographically. Is this something you consciously set out to do or is it something you see as having happened naturally?

Well, thank you for that. Honestly, the initial goal was to play and share music that had no attachment to a particular format. You make a good point. I've noticed how much I get into the description of life in San Diego, philosophy, getting friends involved, etc. These are things I didn't set out to do, so I'd have to say it something that evolved, as you say, naturally.

Some of your shows and mixes are based around very strong and refreshing concepts. Two that particularly spring to mind are the radio show you did with your friend Darota based on her book the 'Dentist and the Tooth Fairy' and the Point Loma mix. Can you tell us a little a bit about these shows in terms of the concept and how they came about?

The story of the how 'The Dentist and the Toothfairy' came together is absolutely fascinating. Darota wrote the book based on a painting by an artist friend, Jerome Prieur. She wrote the story and had Jerome create more art to go with the entire story. Darota has an amazing ear and appreciation for music. She felt it uncompromisingly necessary to create a soundtrack for the book. So, she asked me to read the story and work on the project. If you buy the limited edition hard cover, the soundtrack comes with it. It's a full on uniquely creative collaboration between the story, the art, and the music. When Jerome first played back the music, he contacted me with astonishment. Some of the very songs I selected out of thin air, were the same ones he was inspired by to create the art for the story to begin with - long before I created the soundtrack. It was THAT type of project. It's worth checking out: www.theadventuresofhannah.com.

I have an infatuation with Point Loma. I can see it from my home. It's the spot where the first Spanish explorers landed on the west coast of the United States in 1542. When Phil Mison was here last, we put the mix together and the contemplative and exploratory nature of the music seemed, to me, to fit the discovery of Juan Cabrillo and his sailing ship, the San Salvador of Point Loma.

Do you have any more plans to do any more concept based shows/mixes in the near future? If so can you give us a sneak preview as to what they might be!

There are always ideas that spring to mind, but the execution just happens. It's not so planned out long in advance. One idea is put together a soundtrack for yoga. My great friend Rebecca Kovacs owns a studio here in San Diego and is an instructor. We've put the idea together to do live music mixing to her yoga practice. That sounds like heaven to me! Another example; I do sound for my friend Rob Irwin who gives success seminars throughout the country. We've already put together an audio series which features lecture and music. Putting a show together which includes inspirational messages from his lectures along with music is on my mind. Sometimes the shows develop a theme all their own spontaneously. For example a recent show reflected the rainy and windy weather of the particular day.

You were involved with a series of Sunday afternoon parties called 'The Bluff'. On the h-track site you mention that the sunset selection of choice was 'Down By The Sea' by Men At Work. Can you give us 3 tracks that are sound tracking your life right now and tell us why you have chosen them?

First, I have to say that the Bluff Party is the single most important party for me. More so than Candelas, or anywhere else I've done parties. David Mancuso can have his Loft Party, and I'll have my Bluff Party. Haha! I should also mention my friends Terry Maedche and Marty Todd for hosting these private events. Ok, on to the songs. 1) "Better Days" by Barrabas because of the change of winter to spring. 2) "Sea Hunt" by Patrick Cowley because it's such an amazing production. 3) "Thousands of Suns" by Paramahansa Yogananda because it's a great chant.

You are also involved with the music programming at Lounge Candelas in San Diego. Can you tell us a little bit about your role there and how you got involved?

My friend Jamie Kiskis was having dinner at Candelas at a time before the lounge existed. The owner, Alberto Mestre, conveyed to him the idea of the new lounge he was about to open next door. So Jamie thought it appropriate for us to meet. I gave Alberto some music and that was the start of a wonderful working relationship. I'm going to let some cats out of the bag. What most don't know is that I've put more than just music in that space. I designed the furniture. I brought in the lighting. I designed the DJ console including the floating turntables with input from Paul Takahashi at Sarcastic. I acquired most of the sound system. These are just a few things to name. So you see, it's my soul that's etched in that room. I'm not just a guy who shows up and plays music and leaves. My spirit is always there, and the room is always with me.

Music policy wise and in terms of guests what and who can we expect to hear at Candelas?
I've learned from the feedback of the out of town guests and long time regular patrons, that the music policy is as wide and varied as anywhere. There aren't many floor fillers. There's a conscious effort to see to it that the music matches the activity in the room. For the first couple of hours on a Saturday night, my aim is be transparent. For the last couple of hours my aim is to commune with the guests. Although there are an infinite number of directions the evenings might head, there always seems to be a defining moment in the night when the room is one. Not sure this really answered your question. I guess you can expect to hear more obscurities and deep album cuts from the 70's to present rather than popular productions of the day. I've heard the term Balearic become associated with Candelas.

Our DJ guests are usually friends of mine. Candelas isn't regarded as a venue. It's more like a neighbourhood establishment. Some names to mention are Phil Mison, Tony Watson, Harvey, Alex from Tokyo, and Danny Krivit amongst others.

I've recently handed Fridays over to DJ's Nanami & Matsu. They are Japanese study masters who I think are trying to preserve the spirit of Body & Soul, the now defunct New York party. They run a top notch Japanese restaurant as their main job, and have decorated the menu with original dishes named after New York City clubs and DJ's. That tells you where their hearts reside.

On Thursdays, DJ Dex has been there for about three years now. He's the American Gilles Peterson coming to us from Philadelphia. His music collection is unmatched. He the biggest kept secret in southern California in my opinion.

What made you put an 'educational listening' section on the Candelas website?

In the end, there aren't a lot of us in the general population who know the history of things when it comes to live music reproduction, the genesis of dance parties, the "bang" that started certain movements, or about the players behind all of these things. I'm still learning myself. The more I find out, the less I realize know. Bill Brewster & Frank Broughton did society a big service with their mammoth undertaking in describing to the world the history of the DJ in "Last Night the DJ Saved My Life." Others have followed suit. I've heard repeatedly from people outside the DJ/Dance community who have said this book has changed ENTIRELY their perception of the DJ. Some said it has changed their lives. So I think you know where I'm going. The hope of adding the "Educational Listening" section is that it might serve the same purpose. It's a resource for anyone who may want to know (and hear) more.

You were also part of the team that helped painter Gelareh Khoie and DJ Harvey bring ThirtyNine Hotel to life in Hawaii. Can you tell us a little bit more about this great space and concept and your involvement with it?

As time goes on, I become even more thrilled about the Hotel than before. The vision is all credited to Harvey and Gelareh. There's a devoted vibrant staff at the space that deserves attention, too! Besides the stuff you can read on the website (www.thirtyninehotel.com) I'll mention some things I've come to know. The location is in Chinatown, Honolulu. There's been a long standing art presence in that section of town, along with a hard core drug and prostitution scene. There's a recently installed police station one block away. A series of new bars, restaurants and even a sort of mega-club (next door) opened since the Hotel arrived. These entities harmonize and exist peacefully. The Hotel has stood as a witness to these scenes without judgment and with open arms. The art community has exploded, the cops are holding it down, the other businesses are flourishing, the locals are supporting the area, the hip tourists are coming around, and last time I was there Harvey and I witnessed a drug bust outside the pornography shop across the street. Twenty minutes later, the next appointed dealer was present where the previous one was taken away after conducting business. Even THAT scene is surviving despite the efforts of the law. There is a balance. Our ongoing project is developing the system into a world class force. I currently have some JBL horns at my place that will be shipped there soon. Harvey's constant travels have allowed him to look around for the right components for the project. The space operates as an art gallery, bar, dance club, and whatever creative idea comes to mind.

You have your fingers on a lot of pies! What's next on the agenda project wise for you?

I'm building a new sound system beginning with a pair of vintage Klipsch La Scala speakers. This will be a major endeavour. Eventually the system will be used at a location to be determined that I will own and operate. I see it clearly materializing in my mind. I'll be back to the UK soon, and continue travelling to New York and Hawaii for my events and such. Also, I'm on the journey to be initiated in Kriya Yoga.

If someone touches down in San Diego where and what would you recommend they should check out?

So many things to do here, really. Take a bike ride at Mission Bay. Catch a sunset for a view of the green flash. Make a trip to Mexico which is 15 minutes from downtown San Diego. Hang out at the beach as much as possible.

Lastly do you have any advice or words of wisdom for our readers?

Hmmm. Stop and check out the things around you. Then take that gaze inward.

Hugh Herrera plays at Warm Sessions, Big Chill Bar London on Bank Holiday Monday, 28th August, then...

Thursday September 7th - Same but Different, London
Saturday September 9th - Laser Magnetic, Sosho, London
Friday September 15th - Talinn, Estonia

For all booking enquiries regarding Hugh Herrera please contact Ali @ Warm:
ali@warm-music.com