Brisbane electronic producer Henry Epong takes his HVWKS project from development to dance floor when he performs as part of 'Deadly Hearts: A Celebration Of Australian Indigenous Music'.
The Deadly Hearts concert takes place at Home Of The Arts (HOTA) on the Gold Coast as part of their HOME festival series. The concert, hosted by comedian Steph Tisdell, will also feature performances from Archie Roach, Jessica Mauboy, Mojo Juju, Aodhan, Kinship Collective and Selve. “I can't wait, it's something I've been wanting to do for a while,” Henry says.“Getting recognised on triple j more and also getting recognition as an Indigenous artist has made me more aware to the fact I want to start being more open with the cultural side of things, not that I'm not but I want to be able to take that path as well.
“I'm glad that I can actually have this opportunity to showcase and be an Indigenous electronic artist in Australia right now and be able to showcase that, so I'm really happy to be doing that.”
As well as connecting with audiences with his music, Henry says the Deadly Hearts concert is an ideal way for him to engage with his fellow Indigenous artists and share in their experiences. “I really hope I can spend some time with these guys and actually talk to them,” he says.
“It will be good to have more, not just musical acquaintances, but meet some people that are on the path as well, cultural and music.”
A relative newcomer to music, Henry has spent the past few years since establishing HVWKS tinkering with various sounds and styles that has seen it progress from radio-friendly EDM into its own type of beast altogether.
“The project for HVWKS is bass music,” Henry says, “it has evolved over time but at the moment I'm taking it into a more gritty, kind of dark place with heavier music.”
A taste of what HVWKS has become can be heard in Henry's two most recent singles 'Go Hard' and 'Dawn Break'. “My last few releases up until my last two were very – not poppy but – very radio-driven,” he explains.
“That's not to say that I make music directly to be into that market, but that's where my music was going and I've always wanted to take it in a different direction of being more heavy. I'm trying to push that and still trying to fit in some vocal-based tracks and see how I can work that into this new sound.”
Henry goes on to say that with 'Go Hard' and 'Dawn Break', he has finally begun to produce the kind of music he always wanted to make. “That's the thing I want to be pushing for, because at the same time I think every artist should push forward and always change up their sound,” he says.
“I think sticking to the one thing is kind of boring. At the same time it's good to make music that you're fans are liking but it's also good to write for yourself as well and change it up.
“I've wanted to do it for a while, so I'm happy I've finally gotten to do it and it's gotten really good feedback. It's pushed the motive forward to keep doing this.”
