An MC, musician and producer from the South Coast (NSW), HMO has delivered his second EP release – a six-track release titled 'Eternity In An Hour' that weaves through Aussie hip hop flavours and funk tones.
A self-described control freak, HMO has also collaborated with a number of vocalists and rappers on 'Eternity In An Hour' with tracks that explore issues like institutional racism, mental well-being, life pressures and the all-consuming nature of the digital world."From struggling with mental health to the ability to deal with the pressures of life, institutional racism, the pretence of a digital world consumed by social media, love and loss, this is a deeply personal EP that I hope every listener will take something from," HMO says.
Congrats re: the new EP; how does this collection of songs showcase the current incarnation of HMO?
There was a real focus on the production of this EP. I really wanted to take the sound of this EP to another level and I spent a lot of time back and forth with mixing engineer Nat Sherwood to ensure we nailed it.
I believe the project is growing and evolving all the time, and think that this is definitely a step up from previous releases.
Did you have a firm idea of the type of release you wanted to create musically as well as thematically with 'Eternity In An Hour'?
Not particularly. However, there is somewhat of a theme with the opening and closing tracks.
To be honest, these songs are the last of a bunch of ideas that have been floating around for quite some time and they are a collection of old and new lyrical and musical ideas. So basically, they are a collection of songs that I needed to get recorded and released so I can move on to the next phase.
For once, I actually feel I have a clean, creative slate moving forward.
Your lyrics cover a range of human emotions; from institutional racism and mental well-being, to related life pressures and the all-consuming nature of the digital world – is there a process you enact when deciding to cover specific issues/ topics?
My decisions are governed by the current social and political climate.
I have a strong interest in politics and am also invested in seeing justice prevail for our First Nations people in the form of a treaty. I would like to see youth incarceration addressed for young Indigenous persons and our immigration and climate policies need some serious redress.
Youth suicide has also affected our community at home on the South Coast of NSW severely over the last couple of years, and this is something that I wanted to speak to.
Collabs; you worked with a number of artists on this release; what did they each bring to the project?
For starters, I am a terrible singer but I love to write harmonies and melodies. Each of the featured vocalists really made the tracks what they are and I can't thank them enough for their input and time.
Bombchelle has an incredibly soulful voice and also performs live with me, and she has really added incredibly to the overall sound of the tracks through ad-libs, hooks and harmonies.
Gee Mary has a really sweet voice and I really wanted to work with her on 'Fake'. I feel her vocals were perfect for this track.
My wife forms half of T & I and I am always harassing her to drop hooks on tracks. Their chorus on 'Lullaby' really added to the emotion of the track. Also, my good friend Calcite was the perfect fit for the opening and closing tracks of the EP and really brought the track to life with his delivery of the vocal melody.
How important are collaborations with your music?
I am actually a little bit of a control freak when it comes to composition, so I really don't collaborate too much with anyone other than with vocals.
HMO is definitely a deeply personal and individual project when it comes to the composition process. However, in saying that I am currently working on a huge collaborative project with a bunch of MCs and musicians from the South Coast which has been really exciting.
Is there a deeper meaning behind the EP's title?
It is a quote from the 'Auguries Of Innocence' by William Blake who is one of my favourite poets. I guess it alludes to the illusion of time. I think in a lot of ways this has been highlighted by the effects of the pandemic. I am deeply interested in psychology and the human psyche.
The release features a mix of live instrumentation and electronic elements; as a musician and a producer how do you make the call to add a live guitar bit or use a sample/ electronic beat with each song?
I always add live guitar, keyboard and bass guitar to the tracks that I create and sometimes other elements as needed.
Often these tracks start with a chord progression on the guitar or piano. I also love arranging strings. First and foremost I am a musician and really enjoy playing these instruments in the studio and live. I think if it was all programming and samples it would not be as much fun.
The mix of live music and produced beats with your material; do you favour one over the other or is it more about having a larger palette to draw from?
It is definitely about the larger palette. However, there are definitely times where you add an element either electronic or live and it just doesn't work. It is all an experimentation process, but I definitely feel a strong connection to real instrumentation.
Do you handle all the music/ production on the EP or do you bring other creatives into the mix?
As a self-confessed control freak I normally handle all the instrumentation, beat making and arranging. I love having my DJ TZF in the studio and value his input, but normally it is a solo venture.
Take us inside your studio; what type of space do you have, equipment and instruments at your disposal?
I built an underground studio when I built my house a few years ago. After years of working in cramped bedrooms and grinding away this was a real treat.
I have a bunch of Fender and Maton guitars, Pro Tools, a few Steinberg interfaces, a few samplers, a digital piano and a dual vacuum tube preamp. I am in the process of upgrading my interfaces and further treating my room.
Being your second EP, what did you learn/ take from the creative-recording process of your debut EP, 'Heightened Modus Operandi' for this release?
The first thing that I have learned is don't mix your own music.
You are too emotionally involved, it takes forever and you will still be unhappy with the finished product. Also, strive to ensure the production quality is at a level that is on par with where you envision your music to be.
Let's talk influences; from childhood heroes to the current day; who has inspired you to pursue a music career?
Anyone from Nirvana to Jimi Hendrix. I feel like Hendrix was one of the most expressive musicians ever and his music resonates deeply with me.
In terms of hip hop, I was definitely influenced by the Aussie pioneers like the Hoods and The Herd, and absolutely love Ice Cube and A Tribe Called Quest. At the moment Anderson .Paak and the neo-soul movement really excites me as does what Kevin Parker is doing in terms of production and arranging.
Live shows; any news you can share on that front?
I normally tour with a vocalist (Bombchelle) and a DJ (DJ TZF), and we had to cancel the EP launch and a bunch of shows which were to form part of an east-coast tour.
However, with everything that happened we are going to sit this year out, refine the live show and we will look at touring next year. I am also expecting my first child, so I am really keen to spend some time with the new human in my life. However, we may pop in a sneaky show or two.
Thanks for your time; anything else you'd like to add?
Look out for some new music next month and hopefully we can get to play some shows next year across Australia. The new EP 'Eternity In An Hour' is available on all streaming platforms, so check it out.
