Hervé Interview 2016

Hervé, real name Joshua Harvey, has released his new EP, ‘Dance To My Beat’. A lead-up to a highly-anticipated new album, we chat to the bass music stalwart to find out more about his production, his live set and days off in London.

Hi Josh, how’s life treating you?
Very well thanks, working hard, enjoying life.

Thank you for giving us ‘Dance To My Beat’ during a cold and miserable January in London! What was your inspiration behind the track itself?
I had been working on a lot of 4/4 tracks and wanted to mix up the drums a little bit. I’d been in touch with TT about working on something and I’d made the hook vocal sample a while before. It was sitting on my desktop waiting for a home. So basically I put TT, the vocal sample and the track together and bam! – track was done.

If you had to describe the EP in three words, which would you choose?
Eclectic club bass

You’ve spoken to us before about how important it is to you to express yourself in different ways through your tracks. What’s the most unique way you think you’ve done this in your production?
I think my last album ‘The Art Of Disappearing’ would count as that. I was showing a whole other side of myself outside of the club stuff I had been known for up to that point. There is more of that style (indie, gothic, hip-hop, electronica) coming.

Do you have any production rituals? How do you cope with long sessions in the studio?
I don’t think so. Apart from maybe starting 12ish and finishing 7/8ish 5 days a week, does that count? I kind of shut down once I get too tired in the studio so I can only go for as long as I can go if you know what I mean. I get a bit grumpy and have to stop.

We’ve heard there’s an album in the pipeline; is ‘Dance To My Beat’ a prequel for your fans on what to expect?
Yeah, that is the only track from the EP that is on the album. It’s an indicator of sorts; there’s more 4/4 stuff some UK/US MCS and some slow jungle bizniz too.

We spoke to you last time about your collaboration with Armand Van Helden. If you could work with anyone in the world, who would you choose?
On the dance side of things I’ve worked with Armand Van Helden and Fat Boy Slim already so I would pick someone from outside the dance world. I would love to work with either Elizabeth Frazier or Bill Withers.

Will you be touring this year?
Yeah, definitely. I stopped DJing for a while to concentrate on making music and few non-music related projects. I have just signed with a great agency called AMS so it’s all pretty damn good right now.

How can someone in the crowd get your attention during a set? What’s the maddest thing anyone’s ever done?
I’Ve had many marriage proposals as I’m DJing, a girl wrote “I want to sit on your face” on her phone and showed me whilst I was DJing – strange. But the weirdest was when a guy came up and asked me if I would kiss his wife! Oh and I’ve signed a few tits (weird request!) As for getting my attention, the best thing to do is not get my attention and focus on the music and dancing with your friends.

Besides the upcoming album and touring, what else do you have planned for the year ahead?
A few other projects in the pipeline, learning to drive and going to film school.

What about your downtime? How do you spend a day off in London?
I like going for a walk or run across Hackney Marshes, it really feels like you’re in the countryside (there are even cows and horses). Downtime I like to read, watch films and sometimes a little xbox one when I’m stressed as it takes my mind off everything.