Electronic, Electronic Interviews, Featured (Slider), Features, Interviews, Introducing, Music, Music Interviews — February 13, 2013 at 11:12 am

Interview : Hostage (HTF Exclusive)

by Grace Picking

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Hostage, also known as Alan Parley, is a long-standing member of the bass and electronic music community. Hailing from Scotland he has been putting out records for a solid 20 years and doesn’t intend to stop anytime soon. With influences that mainly involve his surroundings, he has a sound that is distinctive and special amongst a lot of stuff out there clogging up your SoundCloud timeline. We caught up with him whilst he was having a very important meeting of minds with his breakfast about his music, taking people hostage and crisps!

HTF: So what do I interrupt you doing to have this quick chat?

AP: Eating toast: not very exciting really is it. Just plain ordinary toast.

HTF: We’re a big fan of ‘Traffic’ over here at HTF, what went in to making that EP?

AP: Thanks. It was hot when I was making it, I think you can hear the heat, it’s almost sticky sounding. The title track sounds like insects, and smoke, and sweat and heatstroke to me.

HTF: How does your creative process differ between making a remix compared to an original track?

AP: When remixing I try and absorb the essence of the original, and really try to let the sounds or message within it influence my direction and creative decisions – I let the original music influence my music, I think that’s important when remixing. When doing an original the inspiration is much less often musical, but more often an image, a memory or a feeling I’m trying to recapture or convey in the track.

HTF: You are currently signed with Black Butter Records in the UK but you’re sound wouldn’t be misplaced amongst the likes of Dirtybird or Clek Clek Boom. Who would you like to think people liken you too?

AP: I’m really not sure, I’d like to think my sound was pretty distinguished. I really dig the Dirtybird stuff though, that’s right up my cul-de-sac. Visually I know they’d probably liken me to ‘Alan’ from the Hangover, or MC Escher.

HTF: What’s your favorite part of being Hostage?

AP: Travelling and meeting people: my travels all over the world have allowed me to meet and make many new friends, and the inspirations I’ve taken from them and their environments are a truly humbling privilege.

HTF: If you could keep anyone hostage who would it be and why?

AP: Oh now come on: I’d never hold a person against their will, only metaphorically, musically. It’s been a moniker of mine for almost 15 years, and it can be a problematic one e.g. drivers in non-English speaking countries holding up signs saying ‘HOSTAGE’ at airport arrivals. It sounds so aggressive, I’m really quite a placid chap though!

HTF: Vice versa if I took you hostage, what would be the one thing you would miss the most (aside from basic human necessities)?

AP: My wife. or Chilli Heatwave Doritos. Tough one.

HTF: As a ‘production powerhouse’ do you ever worry about running out of steam?

AP: Nah, I’ve been writing music for more than 20 years, it’s like a basic human function for me. It’s an itch that must be scratched.

HTF: Can we expect to see you at any festivals this summer?

AP: Yeah. As always, not sure which ones yet though. I really enjoyed Glade festival last year!

HTF: What does 2013 hold for you?

AP: More musical adventures, taking risks, trying new things, meeting new people but most importantly enjoying life.

Follow Hostage on Twitter // Facebook // Soundcloud

Catch him live in the next few months & give his new monthly mix for February a listen below:

22/02 – Eat Your Greens - Liverpool - UK
01/03 – White Night – Bucharest – Romania
15/03 – Back to the Future @ NED – Montreux – Switzerland

I dreamt i played a jamiroquai tune in a dj set and it caused a giant squirrel to die. It was so big it needed 2 security to carry it out

— HOSTAGE (@AlanHOSTAGE) February 10, 2013