The Big Radio Interview With Hobday
We asked how did you come by your stage / band / brand name?
“My stage name is Hobday. Which is my last name. My full name is Andy Hobday. For as long as I can remember people have called me Hobday, so when the time came to launch this project it felt like the natural choice.”
When did you discover your love for your craft and what made you realize you wanted to pursue a career in it?
I could probably write a near novel about how near and dear I hold the electronic music community in my heart. I still remember experiencing for the very first time the likes of Zeds Dead, Pretty Lights, and Big Gigantic. These acts blew my mind wide open. I honestly didn’t think having THAT much fun was even possible. I couldn’t fathom it. As a young adult I struggled a lot with self confidence, but the bass music scene was so welcoming and open. It really felt like I could be whoever I wanted to be and I leaned into that feeling 100%. One night I was at a show dancing my booty off, and all of a sudden this serene calm washed over me. For a moment I couldn’t even really hear the music. Everything sort of froze in time. And there I was looking around at all the beautiful, smiling, dancing souls and then to the DJ on stage doing their thang. And this thought and feeling washed over me: “I want to do THAT. I want to be on that stage.” And all at once I realized what my purpose on this planet was: To bring joy and meaning to the people of this planet through the creation and performance of music. In many ways it was the beginning of what has become a lifelong pursuit and passion.
Can you say a little about your debut single “Empathy”?
This song is all about the emotion evoked thru music and the things I feel when I’m deep in the creative process. Honestly over the years, that is the main thing that has kept me going. The way the music I make makes me feel. I believe that if I can find ways to move myself emotionally while I’m creating, that eventually those feelings will move thru others as well when they listen to my music or see me perform. It’s all about creating opportunities for real connections with others. That’s what I’m after. Connection.
On your current project, how did you come up with the concept?
Honestly for me, the creative process is something that really happens in the moment while I’m producing. Rarely do I have a crystal clear idea of the things I want to create. Often it’s the process of actually sitting down and starting to make music that generates the inspiration. For the moment I’m just making music that I like and sounds good to my ear. I’m definitely a fan of vocal melodies and they are heavily present in much of my new music. I have also worked through quite a bit of depression and anxiety in my life, and music is often times an outlet for those feelings. Translating my depression into melodies is one of those soothing experiences I know.
What are some of your greatest challenges, and what is your greatest attribute when it comes to your work ethic?
Anyone who knows me well, knows that I have a sickness work ethic and an obsessive personality. It’s very much a gift and a curse, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything because it gives me the capacity to pursue my passions with every ounce of energy that I have. Honestly, most of the time it’s pretty fun. But where I get myself into trouble though is when I don’t listen to my body when it’s telling me that I need to take a break and then I burn myself out. So, lately I’ve been really trying to be more aware of my feelings in that regard and slowing down a bit when it starts to feel like I’m heading to a negative place mentally. It’s easier said then done though, and luckily I have some amazing people in my life who have my back and help me keep myself afloat.
What suggestions do you have for other artist like yourself?
The most important thing I’ve learned to this point is that some days are good and some days are bad. If things are going really well, there are probably some difficult days around the corner and vice versa. The only way to lose is to quit. Just keep swimming.
The bio for Hobday
Hobday is a producer, songwriter, recording artist and DJ who’s sound and expression spans across multiple genres including Electronic music, Hip-Hop, R&B, and Pop. The result is an eclectic bass music fusion that always brings the vibes. Creating music for what he refers to as the “venturous”, his ambition is to help people escape mundane reality and connect with their deeper selves and their potential. Hobday embraces the diverse nature of sound and is currently residing in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Hobday’s largest influences are those of artists such as Louis the Child, FKJ, Big Gigantic, Zeds Dead, and Flume while drawing inspiration from dance music culture as a whole. He began producing music in 2013, after feeling overwhelmingly inspired after a show. In a recent interview, Hobday said: “Music and the communities it fosters have had such a profound positive impact on my life, I’ve cried enough tears of joy at concerts to fill up a bucket. It is my goal to create those same or similar feelings for others out there, just as some of my greatest musical influences did for me.”
His stated goal is to “create and foster a community of open minded, passionate, and caring souls through the creation and performance of music.”
