Following An Inner Voice: Catching Up With Jay Haze

Until recently Jay Haze had been situating himself in rural Peru and feeling conflicted with the musical path he chose in life, it was back in 2012 he announced the release of his Love=Evolution album and that it would be his last. Music isn't something you give up; Haze has continued to DJ and keep it in his soul but in recent years with a fresh sight given to him by his recent parenthood he returned to the studio and set about re-engaging with the recording process and has just putting the finishing touches to Finding Oriya. We unfurl some of the record's story as we catch up with the Fuckpony moniker as he prepares to unleash some of these new sounds in Room One at the weekend playing live for Mr. C's Superfreq. So last time we spoke you were out in Peru – where in the world are you now? At the moment I’m working in a studio non-stop in Berlin with lots of inspiration around me which is good for the creative side. How long are you in Berlin for? What’s it been like living returning to city life? I’ve have been here for 3 months and it’s been hard to adjust to current city standards, I guess I find myself wondering why I love to live in the city - or if I love to live in the city? I guess it’s one of life's great mysteries for me --"what makes us want to connect and love each other so much to be near each other?" it can’t only be because we are all searching for independent happiness – it’s because when we find that state of bliss, you feel very HUMAN, truly harmonizing, aware. Can you tell us a bit about your new album, what kind of ideas, sounds and energies have been feeding your production process? The new album is called "Finding Oriya" it was born out of personal experiences and just following an inner voice, it lead me to Vancouver, BC where I did a 30 day detox treatment with the help of Jay Tripwire who is playing with me on July 12th. While there I made friends with Elan aka Esb and we were kind of like old souls meeting again in this lifetime. Elan collects all kinds of sound equipment (has worked in a music store for 20 years now) the connection we had together, came after some really harsh personal life realizations for both of us so, it was soothing and helped us to connect on such a musical level. The biggest inspiration for this album was life and the love for it > and for believing in the search for life. Where did you record it? Did you re-build your studio or gain access to a friend or colleagues? It was recorded in Open Studios, Vancouver with support from the whole studio - which also helped me in great deal to develop some of my visual art ideas. We had everything we need there, great little community. Can you tell us a bit about what machines you’ve been working with? For this album we worked mostly vintage equipment and then sequenced in Ableton- the sounds I usually go for is warm and explorative. I do admit due to my current living situation I find myself relying less on machines and more on the computer, it’s more practical to my living situation. I usually use all analogue recordings I make in different studios, including live instruments and vocals. I find that when you know your sound, you can do it on whatever there is on offer - I find music more in the soul rather than technology. The album features sounds made with Oberheim, Korg, Roland, Linn drum, Rhodes and Arps. It was like little nations singing together. To be honest it’s a bit of a happy surprise you’ve recorded a new album after your announcement that Love=Evolution was going to be your last in 2011… what changed your tune? Becoming a dad and realizing I was turning my back on something I worked more than half my life on just because I perceived it to "not be fair" might not be the best life decision… Is this an indication that you’ve regained faith in the music world? What’s changed in your eyes? I think it’s more of an indication that I began to have more faith in myself, not thinking about the music world as much and thinking about the world as a whole – what has changed in my eyes? The thing that has changed most is me. Is this one going to be equally as rich in collaborations? Can you hint at who you’ve been working with if that’s the case? I worked on this album with Elan aka Esb you can find his sound working with Neighbor Recordings also based in Vancouver. How’s it sounding? How’d you say it compares to your Fuckpony releases and Love=Evolution? To me it’s a warm sounding piece of expressive dance music with connection to mind, body, art and heart. I have never been comfortable with connecting my sounds to time - which would perhaps suggest "comparison". For me music is made in the moment it is made and there is nothing more to compare it to. How could I grow if I only thought about what I have done, or perhaps haven't done? You’re coming to play live on the 12th with Mr C’s Superfreq party – will we be able to hear some of the release in your live set? I always try to introduce some of my new materials in to my live sets- but you always have to be ready to just go with the flow when playing live- so sometimes when I play live it’s something I rehearse and others I just go off the energy of the crowd. Tell us about the live set – is it going to be laptop or machine based? I run a Macbook pro set up with Abelton live and the push controller. There are times when I work other gadgets into my live set, so it really does depend - with no stable home base (and that constant voice in my head of reason over as to how these machines are made and traded in today’s world) it’s not making much sense to accumulate more physical matter than I need to. For the show in London I am really focusing on delivering a good sound experience - taking full advantage of that Room 1 sound and atmosphere. I always feel so much love when I play in that room. What makes a good Superfreq? Someone who tunes in to the many frequencies existing out there in this amazing universe and finding ways to share the love >>> and through that love, sharing life - and making a better future for the life we create and leave behind. The footprints I want to leave behind don't have a brand on the bottom. Or wait perhaps they have a little heart on them. Thanks to Jay Haze for the accompanying photography for this interview.