INTERVIEW: DJ and producer Hotboxx

Miami-based DJ and music producer Hotboxx is an artist of his own kind. His impressive releases, where he showcases his indisputable talent and powerful eclectic sound prove why his name is one to follow closely.

While he continues his hard work at the studio, preparing new releases to start the new year off, we invited him to talk with us and tell us more about his creative process, where he usually finds inspiration, as well as some tips and tricks for overcoming struggles while making new music.

Check out our interview with Hotboxx below.

Hey Hotboxx! how are you?

I’m doing well, thanks for asking.

We want to know more about your creative process, where and how do you usually find inspiration?

Thankfully, I live in Miami so we constantly have DJs/producers coming into town, so these constant parties keep me pretty inspired. Constantly being in these environments keeps me eager, and wanting to produce, the constant new music keeps me in the zone to create.

Are there any non-music related activities that help you get inspired to work on new music?

Definitely, basically any activity makes me think of music. The kind of music playing at a certain venue or during a certain activity inspires me, so really everything is an inspiration at certain times.

Do you usually follow the same process when producing a track?

Not really, I am trying to get more ‘uniform’, in certain ways, to really try and brand a ‘signature’ sound. As of right now, though, I don’t have a specific process I use, although there are certain instruments, plugins, etc., that I tend to use on every track.

Which part of a track is your favourite to start working on?

The main build up. After I build the main groove, I love to figure out how the track will progress from that point and how to build enough tension so that when that point hits, people want to dance.

Does technology play a big part in helping you with your creative processes? If so, can you tell us how?

I have produced on a few different DAW’s over about a 10-year period and technology has definitely made the creative process easier and quicker. Some people don’t like to use too much technology, say it makes it too easy, it’s like ‘cheating’. But in reality, it makes the processes faster and more efficient, helping you to get to the creative part quicker without having to go through additional busy work.

Have you changed something in your production workflow recently? And how has that changed your processes?

I changed back to mainly using Ableton. I was using Logic for the past few years before that. Both are amazing, but I do find my workflow a bit quicker and more efficient on Ableton and it tends to lead to better overall production. I feel like the sound quality on the newest Ableton is very clean too.

What has been the best change or implementation you made to your workflow in music production or in your creative process in the past years and how has that changed the way you make music?

I began to incorporate Maschine by Native Instruments in my production. The number of samples that they have on there, and the speed that you’re able to work through all of it, really has made my workflow move quickly and really helps me be creative, especially with the way you can live mix the track, it really helps me lay a track out quickly.

What do you do to help you overcome an obstacle while producing a track?

Honestly, if I get stuck on something for too long, I usually save the track and open something new, maybe make a new loop and clear my ears before I go back to the original track I was working on.

What advice would you give to someone feeling stuck while producing new music?

Pick your favorite track or a track that really makes you nostalgic and sample it, make a remix or an edit. This can jump start the creative process and will inspire you to make more original music as well.

Listen to his latest track Calling with Flynn Nolan below