Get ready to dive into the creative process and behind-the-scenes insights of Hectic’s latest collaboration with Melleefresh on the electrifying track ‘Squeeze Me’.
In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Hectic to discuss the inspiration behind the collaboration, the unique blend of genres, and the meticulous production techniques that brought ‘Squeeze Me’ to life. From the sonic experimentation to the dynamic synergy between Hectic and Melleefresh, join us as we uncover the details and artistic vision behind this genre-defying release.
T.H.E – Hi Hectic! How are you?
Hectic – I’m good thanks. Just trying to keep cool in this very hot weather we’re having in the UK at the moment.
T.H.E – Can you share the inspiration behind the collaboration with Melleefresh on ‘Squeeze Me’? How did the idea for the track come about?
Hectic – The track initially came about after experimenting with some strings sounds I had and I was trying to make a marching band style track. I sent the basic arrangement of the instrumental to Mellee, and we then got together in the studio in London to record the lyrics last year. We did stuff on the fly really, and it just came together right there and then.
T.H.E – What was the creative process like when blending elements from House, Techno, and Trap in ‘Squeeze Me’? Were there any specific challenges or interesting moments during the production?
Hectic – It was all about experimenting with different styles to make something completely new. I’ve never been one to stick to one style of music and I often try and blend different elements of styles into the same track. Mellee initially wrote and recorded completely different vocals for the track but we both felt that they didn’t really work at first. Getting together in the studio was the best way of getting the right vibe that fits all of the different elements.
T.H.E – How did you and Melleefresh approach finding the perfect balance between your respective sounds to create a cohesive and energetic track?
Hectic – There was a lot of experimentation and re-doing things over and over to get the right vibe, plus some happy accidents, where we just kept recording until we found something we liked.
T.H.E – Were there any specific production techniques or tools that you used to achieve the hard-hitting and driving vibe of ‘Squeeze Me’?
Hectic – I was using the Arturia Augmented Strings plug-in and that laid the basis for the intro of the track. I then built up all the elements around that, using some of my tried and tested tools, like the Arturia Microfreak, and also a lot compression and saturation on the drums to give it that impact.
T.H.E – How did Melleefresh’s signature vocals contribute to the overall dynamic of the track? Can you share any insights into the collaboration process with her?
Hectic – We’ve done a number collaboration tracks now and I think our different styles mesh together perfectly. As I said before, I often try and blend elements from different genres together and don’t normally conform to a lot of rules, and I think Mellee’s vocals compliment this approach nicely. We spent a good few hours in the studio, getting the vocals right, alongside Luke Gomm at Play Deep Studio, so the final track is the result of a lot of experimentation and doing things over and over again until we got it right.
T.H.E – ‘Squeeze Me’ delivers a highly energetic listening experience. How did you work on crafting the track’s intense synth lead motif and groovy bassline to create that powerful impact?
Hectic – This was all from one of my favourite synths that I own, the Arturia Microfreak. It has a very unique sound but I always find a way to make it fit into the track. It’s capable of doing some very gentle sounds, as well as stuff that has a lot of power to it. Again, my approach is all about experimenting and seeing what comes out of it.
T.H.E – Can you discuss the role of rhythm and percussion in ‘Squeeze Me’? How did you approach incorporating trap rhythmic fills to elevate the energy of the track?
Hectic – I always like the idea of having momentary changes of style in the intro, bridge or breakdown sections of a track. Having something that draws your ear in and then all of a sudden completely changes and moves into a different realm or feeling. With ‘Squeeze Me’ I was aiming to achieve just that. So, to have those heavy Trap kicks and fills, and then it hits you with something unexpected. With this approach, I think you still need elements of the same sound across the sections, so it still feels like a cohesive piece of music. I often imagine what it’s like listening to a track in a club and then there’s a drastic drop in the energy that quickly ramps up and gets people excited. This is always something I’m trying to achieve in the music I make.
T.H.E – As an artist known for experimenting with different genres, how does ‘Squeeze Me’ fit into your overall musical evolution? Does it represent a particular direction or exploration in your sound?
Hectic – I guess you could say a track like this shows off a lot of the different styles that I’ve made over the years, from Dubstep, Trap, Techno, House and Pop, and fuses them together into one piece. I wouldn’t say I’ve perfected any one of those styles yet, but I know the elements of each that can work quite well together, and I have evolved my sound so that I can blend lots of these elements alongside each other. This could be something that I try to do more often in the future, but I don’t tend to think too much about what style I’m making at time. I just experiment with sounds I like and see what happens. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t!
T.H.E – What do you hope listeners will take away from ‘Squeeze Me’ and its genre-defying nature? Are there any specific emotions or messages you aimed to convey through the track?
Hectic – I just hope people enjoy listening to it and dancing to it in the clubs. I would like to think that because it contains so many different styles of music, then it should appeal to lots of people with different musical tastes. There’s not really any specific message behind this track as it’s more of a fun piece of different styles.
T.H.E – Looking ahead, can you give us a sneak peek into any future collaborations or projects you have in the pipeline? Is there anything else you’d like to share with your fans?
Hectic – I’ve just finished a load of new remixes for other artists that should be coming out at some point over the next few months, as well working on more sample packs that I do with CremaCaffe Design from Italy. I plan to do more tracks with Mellee too, so I’m in the middle of writing those at the moment. I’ve also recently finished my first score for a short film which should be coming out quite soon. I always post about new projects on my social media channels so keep an eye on those!
As we wrap up our conversation with Hectic, we learned more about the creative journey that led to the creation of ‘Squeeze Me’; the experimental blending of genres, the meticulous attention to detail, and Hectic’s dedication to pushing boundaries and creating captivating music shines through. With exciting future collaborations, releases, and projects on the horizon, we eagerly anticipate what lies ahead for this talented artist. Stay tuned to Hectic’s social media channels for the latest updates about these promising upcoming releases and news.
