Can you tell us about your background and how you got started in music?
I’ve been fascinated by music and DJ culture since my early teenage years. I was a real Hip-Hop-Kid collecting vinyl’s and learning to mix them on a simple turntable setup. From the age where I could get into a nightclubs I’ve been playing in them. Being immersed in club and DJ culture in my late teens quickly lead me to House, Garage and Techno and once getting a taste of the electronic sound palette I was hooked. The electronic music and underground scene that I was a passionate about was always the dream but more of a hobby first as decent gigs were so few and far between. For years most of my gigs were playing the 90s and 2000s Hip-hop I loved as a teenager. As I got older I wasn’t in love with where that scene went so I wasn’t creatively or culturally satisfied but it was a good ‚day-job‘ (but at night) and it did mean I could dedicate my life to music, have time during the day to learn to produce music, dig and build my knowledge. Things started to change when I started the Reculture Event series and eventually left the ‚day-job-DJing‘ behind and just played the gigs I wanted. I think the fact that I’ve played hundreds of uninspiring gigs over the years is why I’m so selective with what shows I do now.
Who are your biggest musical influences? How have these influences shaped your sound and approach to making music?
I’m into a huge range of music and I honestly have so many influences. I try not to idolise artists but some artists that spring to mind, who have directly affected my sound, are Carl Craig, Max Richter, Isao Tomita, DJ Gregory, Floating Points, Dr Dre and Mathew Jonson. There’s loads more though, the list is extensive! I feel I confidently have a sound palate that sounds like a combination of my influences and now feel authentically free to take it musically anywhere I like.
What has been the highlight of your career so far? Do you have any good tour stories to share? And what’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
This whole last year has been incredible. It’s hard to pick one moment but releasing on 2 of my all time favourite labels, Kompakt and Innervisions, the childhood dream of playing in Fabric Room 1 and my debut gig in Panorama Bar have are some cherished highlights.
Music in some form or another has always been my main thing but I’ve had several side jobs and projects for slower times – any career in music has ups and downs. I’ve usually been able to get some kind of DJ work but I’ve had to play some very embarrassing gigs at times and in some very awkward places too. Giving up a conventional career to be an artist and being caught by people you know playing in a after work, happy-hour joint or a seedy strip club can feel physically painful but I believe it’s right of passage for a true DJ. I’m so glad to not have to do all that anymore!
Can you tell us about the challenges you’ve faced in your career and how you’ve overcome them?
There have been so many. There’s a reason why everyone says the music industry is tough and you need to be thick skinned. Breaking into the local Electronic scene, getting my events brand off the ground and getting my music to the level where I was happy enough to put my name on all took a long time, hard work and perseverance. It’s also very hard to get music heard by some of the bigger players in the scene and impossible to break though without a few helping hands. Getting respect from the electronic music’s inner circle took me, and most artists I speak to, years. That said, when it happens, there’s often knockon- momentum so things can change very quickly. I try not to dwell on the past challenges and push forward!
What advice would you give to make it as a professional?
Get used to rejection! Learn from it, learn to secretly love it because there is so much for anyone putting themselves out there. Put forward the most authentic version of yourself you can and don’t let your current circumstance affect your long term artistic goals. Be authentically nice to everyone – I’ve been happy to learn there’s a culture of friendliness over arrogance in the scene – and keep going! Taking to DJs around, everyone has vastly different journeys and no-one’s is easy.
How do you handle music requests? And what do you do when the equipment goes on strike?
My opinion is to always take note of what people are asking for but of course with a pinch of salt. People are asking for a reason but aren’t thinking about the room as a whole, pace of the night or your artistic integrity. One has to remember, simple crowd pleasing does not equal memorable dancefloor moments. Equipment issues happen and I’m always very relaxed about it to be honest – I think it surprises people how relaxed I can be but after a some time you just get used to it. Music cuts out some times, and there’s always a cheer when it comes back. Little glitches are often quickly forgotten and bigger issues can be turned into fun moments. On the whole I’m not a fan of DJ sets being to clean and perfect – for example I hate sync and I’m always doing things like playing acapellas that I’m beatmatching after it’s playing aloud thought the system – imperfection creates character!
Describe your sound to someone who has never heard you before. And what would you do if you weren’t a musician?
I’m playing and making mostly House Music with deeper, sexier grooves and an analogue sound palate. I don’t like feeling pigeonholed by conventional subgenres. On paper my music crosses, House, Melodic House, Indie Dance, Electro, Techno, Electronica, Afro House Breaks and even more. That sounds like a mess but I believe when you listen to my release catalogue or one of my sets the flow is consistent. I love Film, especially feature length format, and I’m very into food and dining as well. If not this – I would ideally be in one of those to industries. I need to be doing something creative but also technical and a little nerdy. Making electronic music, producing tracks, collecting music, playing to a crowd and running the labels and brands – that just hits all the spots for me.
Your latest project is just gaining momentum, can you tell us a bit about it?
Sure, my latest release is two track EP on Kompakt. The tracks „I Will“ and „La Mosca“ are two of the most uplifting bits of music I’ve ever put out. I don’t know it’s the inspiration from uplifting DJ shows or the birth of my wonderful daughter that has me inspired for happier vibes but I’m glad people are receiving it well. I made the two tracks this winter and gave them to a very small handful key-player friends. Michael [Mayer] and I have had many conversations about another record on Kompakt and straight away after hearing these he told me he was keen to get them out before the summer.
Hardt Antoine – “I Will EP” is out 10.05.2024 on Kompakt Records on digital and 12” vinyl.
What is the most important music equipment invention of all time – and why?
Easy – the Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). There have been so many amazing inventions we take for granted like the chromatic keyboard, or
even simple drumsticks. But in 2024 almost every culture, every genre and every musician in the world uses some form of DAW to write music. These days if someone „DAWless“ it’s usually for novelty’s sake or fun experimental side project. What an incredible invention!
