Billy Hammer "Joshua Tree" + Interview
☆ By Sophie Gragg ☆
Photo provided by Billy Hammer
A PSYCHEDELIC EXPLORATION WITH A FLOW THAT PROVIDES A MOMENT OF TEMPORARY ESCAPE - Billy Hammer taps into a new world with his latest EP Joshua Tree. Though the title gives away some of the inspiration, Joshua Tree serves as an exploration of so much more than just nature and its elements. Filled with an array of instrumental and production elements, the EP gives the listener some funk, some edge and a handful of creative voice-overs that keep your attention with each word. Complete with a visualizer, shot in Joshua Tree of course, Hammer creates an immersive experience, allowing the listener to get the full experience when listening to the EP.
This project serves as a terrific introduction into Billy Hammer’s artistry and builds a strong foundation for whatever is to come for Hammer. Let yourself experience Joshua Tree and read below to learn more about his growth as an artist, the making of the project and more.
LUNA: Congrats on your new EP, Joshua Tree! How do you feel about putting something out despite pausing the live end of it for a bit?
HAMMER: Thank you Sophie! This project is an interpretation of the experiences that I've had out in Joshua Tree over the last 5 years, so it feels incredible to finally have it out in the world. Although the project was initially written with live performance in mind, as each song is created by looping my guitar, violin and synthesizer, it still felt like the right time to release this project on exploration, self-discovery, and reconnection with nature since that's all that people can really do right now while we're on lockdown. I'll still be stoked when I can finally perform this music in front of a live audience again.
LUNA: Previously you’ve released a good chunk of singles to create a foundation for your music. What inspired finally putting out a longer format project?
HAMMER: I've wanted to release an EP since I first started making music 7 years ago, but each time I tried I felt like my style and interests shifted so much throughout the writing process that I was never able to come up with a focused vision. My sound has solidified enough at this point where I can put something out that feels cohesive.
LUNA: You have a background both in the instrumental end of music as well as the production end. What drew you to creating your electronic based sound?
HAMMER: I've been playing music almost my whole life, starting with piano at age 5 and guitar and violin at age 7. I performed recitals, was in two different orchestras, and even attended fiddle camp over the summers. After hearing Flume for the first tune as a junior in highschool I became interested in producing music, and started my first artist project. Back then I was making a lot of future bass remixes, using entirely electronic/synthesized sounds. The Billy Hammer project began a few years ago in an effort to combine my electronic music production with my instrumental background to create a unique blend of electronic and natural elements. Combining these influences has been incredibly rewarding and it feels like there's an endless amount of inspiration to be drawn.
LUNA: How has quarantine impacted your creative process?
HAMMER: Quarantine has been wonderful for the creative process - it really kick started my new direction of returning to instrumental music and experimenting in the lo-fi genre. With loads more time at home, I decided to start releasing a new song every week, and have released 17 songs already in 2020.
LUNA: Can you share a favorite moment or memory from the making of this EP?
HAMMER: One of my favorite moments of making this project was going to Joshua Tree with Anthony Wilson, a friend and superbly talented filmmaker, to shoot the visuals for the project. We had a blast out there and it was exciting to bring the vision of the EP to life as the sun set in the park. My other favorite moment was performing the EP live at The Mint in Los Angeles on February 17th. I had just finished writing the songs, and it felt special to be able to perform one of my first shows in Los Angeles to an encouraging crowd of friends and fans.
LUNA: Which track was your favorite to make?
HAMMER: I think my favorite song to make was release. I thought I had it finished, but right before the show in February I added the bridge with the descending synth line and the Ram Dass sample. This version became the final version on the EP and it's my favorite moment on the project.
LUNA: This project is inspired by nature, hence the name Joshua Tree. Are there any other influences that shaped the sound and feel of this project?
HAMMER: The psychedelic experience shaped the sound of this project. After moving to LA at 18 to attend UCLA, I soon found myself driving to Joshua Tree with a car full of new friends and a bag full of psilocybin mushrooms. The experience I had out there was absolutely paradigm-shattering, making me question things I had never questioned before and feel things I had never felt before. The mysterium tremendum captured me, and since that experience I have driven out to Joshua Tree many more times to go inward, reconnect with nature, and experience the mystery. The "joshua tree" EP is three songs that attempt to share the psychedelic experience through music. "haze" represents the anticipatory come up, "mirage" represents the overwhelming peak, and "release" represents the poignant come down.
LUNA: Sonically, what other elements would you like to explore in future music? Do you see yourself moving towards another direction?
HAMMER: Lately I've been exploring a dancier sound with 4 on the floor rhythms, and would love to release a project in this style. I've also started incorporating some of my own vocals back into my music, which has been fun to experiment with.
LUNA: The video for the EP is stunning - it really captures the beautiful nature of the project. What value does tapping into the visual end of your music have?
HAMMER: I agree! As mentioned above it was shot by Anthony Wilson, who is a true artist behind the camera. Because this project is about a specific place, and also since it is an instrumental project, I knew that the visuals would be equally as important as the music to evoking the feeling that I was hoping to evoke. Anthony absolutely nailed it, and I look forward to working with him more in the future.
LUNA: What advice do you have for those wanting to get into production but don’t know where to start?
HAMMER: My advice would be to turn to Youtube to learn the basics and to make something everyday!
LUNA: Now that the EP is out, what’s next for you?
HAMMER: I'm going to keep releasing singles and start the writing process for the next EP. I already have a few ideas that I'm playing with and I'm excited to begin the whole process over again. Stay tuned for something coming at the end of 2020.
CONNECT WITH BILLY HAMMER
SPOTIFY
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From Pavietra 🕊️ https://t.co/BXVgWlZud8 -
slowthai by Rosie Matheson 🤩 https://t.co/z7SDfFQ5iF
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RT @i_D: Ian Kenneth Bird photographs young punks on Polaroid: https://t.co/MKT0tMUqO9 https://t.co/a0tTl12ML5
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RT @AnOtherMagazine: #DreamHome – this isolated idyll in the mountains of Lanzarote 🌵 📸 via Nowness, photography by Clemence Blr 🔁 https://t.co/GUusdxD0cg
