Ontario born Alicia Hush is a bad ass!!. She is dj/producer and has her own promotions and booking agency called Hushlamb in the city of Montreal. Already a veteran playing in festivals like Mutek and Piknic Electonik, she has some of the most creative techno tracks around. Always keeping busy with activities and new tracks we ask her a few questions about her career and the changes of moving to the province of Quebec among other things.
What made you start djing and producing?
-My brother Kyle, who was a huge driving force behind my musical journey, bought a pair of turntables when we were young, I was about 19 years old…and when nobody was home I would practice in my parents basement. I was immediately hooked on the ability to mesh beats and melodies together.
There was a great little record shop in Downtown Kitchener called Speed that happily fuelled our music addiction.
Shortly after I learned how to play records I knew that someday I would want to make my own music (although it did take me about 12 years to get there!). I was very inspired by the local talent in my home town such as Mike Shannon, Jay Hunsberger.
Coming from Ontario how do you see electronic culture is there compare to Montreal?
The Toronto music scene was very warm and kind to me and I was presented with a lot of exciting opportunities. I was drawn to Montreal though because of the tight knit connection because music and art. The music culture here is incredibly unique, creative and cooperative. It feels like one big family…each person offering their own special contribution and I’m incredibly thankful to be a part of it all.
What are your favorite tracks that you have produced so far?
I was very proud of my EP on Archipel. My favourite track on the EP is Empathy Soup. It’s one of the longest tracks I’ve ever made and I feel like it tells a great story.
Tell us about Huslamb and the creation of it?
Hushlamb was created by my great friend and business partner Sarah Lamb and myself back in 2006 as a platform to throw small events in Toronto. We quickly blossomed into a music collective and family as we began meeting wonderful and like minded music focused people. We have now branched out into an agency as well as a music label and in the last 2 years picked up and relocated to Montreal. I feel incredibly proud to watch our crew build so much momentum out of what was once just a tiny idea.
As female dj/producer and promoter. How do you the status of female in Canadian electronic music?
I actually never think about being a “female” in this scene anymore…it just never crosses my mind. There was a time…a long time ago…it was definitely highlighted in the gigs I played with nights called “Chicks On Decks” and so on. I feel things are starting to balance out a little more now and if we could just move passed the damn “topless dj” thing…the world would be a better place!
What are your future projects?
I’m currently working on an EP for our own Hushlamb Label Project which will be ready in 2015. I’m also starting to put together a tour which will hopefully commence at the end of next summer. I’ve also got some ideas for an installation that would combine both music and visual art. My live set is a continuous project that is always evolving and it’s the thing that brings me the most satisfaction and joy.
How do you see your career and Huslamb in coming years?
Hushlamb is continually growing! I feel that our events will become larger (but not too big!) as we seek out new and exciting venue options, our label will gain in success as we discover and collaborate with great artists, and our crew as a whole will continue to grow as we march along on our own special paths, chasing our musical dreams!
