OVERWERK's technical skills and true attention to detail have set him apart from the vast amount of electro DJs and producers making and playing music these days. Only in his early-20s, Edmond Huszar, who hails from London, Ontario, has issued a series of well-received EPs including his latest, 'Conquer,' which was released last month. We sat down with OVERWERK to chat about his new EP, working with brands, his passion for film, design, and motion graphics, what he likes to do in his free time, and everything else he's been working on recently.
Your ‘Conquer’ EP was just released and it stays true to your unique brand of electro. What was the process like producing these tracks? When I produce a track, I like it to start with an idea or concept. I don’t produce songs just for the sake of making them; I try to evoke an emotional response or tell a story. For example, my track "Force" - it starts with a simple bell melody but it’s dark and foreboding. The beat kicks in like a clap of thunder that leads you on a journey. The song takes you in different directions eventually becoming triumphant. Every person will imagine a different narrative, so when I make a song, I want to create the soundtrack to the listener’s imagination.
What was your motivation for the release? The last two years, I’ve released EPs around the end of the year. It’s a trend that seems to fit with my schedule and now with my fan’s expectations I want to put out more than just singles. My EPs don’t have a lot of tracks, but I feel I put enough detail into each song for the listener to spend more time with them.
<br>
Your music has been featured in videos for GoPro, Red Bull, and more. How do these projects come about? Do the brands reach out to you? Referencing my first answer, I think it’s the narrative feel of my music that appeals to these brands. These companies have a message to convey and a one-note club banger doesn’t stir up enough emotion. Having dealt with so many companies reaching out, my impression is that there is a lack of inspiring music in the scene. This need for music with actual mood and character drives companies to artists like me.
You stated in your interview with Remix Nation that, for you, DJing is more of a “prevalent hobby” instead of a “career choice” and that you are studying motion graphics and film and hope to start an ad agency one day. Can you tell us a little more about that? What’s the key in balancing your time? I’ll answer your last question first. I don’t think there is a main key to balancing time; it’s something that you learn how to do over time. You have to get to know yourself and push your limits to understand what you can handle. I try to take care of all the current affairs and squeeze in some personal development if there is time left in the day.
In terms of that interview, I was only one year into OVERWERK. A lot has changed since then. It’s true though, I never chose to be in the music business. Music was just one of my hobbies, and it ended up becoming my career; it was never what I envisioned for myself. Once I automate some processes that eat up a lot of my time as OVERWERK, I’ll have the ability to incorporate other artistic endeavours into the project.
You told fans earlier this year that you wanted to use film, design, and motion graphics to make OVERWERK “an experience beyond just audio.” Can you tell us a little more about this? Well, like I was saying, I’ve always been into many art forms, not just music. Music definitely touches people in a very visceral way, but I have goals of combining audio with imagery and other types of mediums that become an experience more than just listening. Many artists do things like this already: stage productions, music videos, etc, but I feel there are very particular combinations that create game changing experiences. Phones existed before the iPhone, but after the iPhone, phones never looked the same. My plan is to be the iPhone of this industry.
What are some of your dream gigs? My satisfaction in a gig is in direct proportion to the experience my fans receive. My dream gig would be one where all my fans were able to attend and share in the experience.
How else do you spend your free time when you’re not DJing or producing? When I’m not DJing or producing, I try to push myself in other fields. I constantly try to learn different mediums and methods. Currently I’m learning a lot of 3D and motion graphics. I’m trying to expand my knowledge of film compositing and post production. Outside creative things, I try to enjoy life and spend time with friends and family.
What else is on your horizon? I’ve set the bar pretty high with OVERWERK. That isn’t my pseudonym for no reason. I will continue to work and push things forward. I want the OVERWERK experience to reach more than just the fans I have now. I know there are many people who would enjoy what I have to offer, so I will be satisfied once I’ve reached them all. Then it will just be a matter of meeting and exceeding their expectations… we’ll see how I deal with that.