Terminal V Podcast 022 || Hammer

Having played the very first Terminal V and soon to be making his long awaited return this October, we couldn’t wait to get Hammer on board our podcast series.

Hammer’s truly unique and expansive style covers a lot of ground and covers it well. Flicking between house, italo, disco, techno and anything else in between, the Irishman expertly joins the dots on the more discerning dance floors worldwide.

His time spent well under the tutorage of some of our scenes greats, including during many years a resident at Glasgow’s sub club and of course his close affiliation with Bicep. It is the latter influences that have perhaps had the biggest impact but Hammer is no carbon copy.

 

Being based in London you will see more event based developments than most, how are things looking from your perspective?

With today’s news who knows, I’ve lots of great gigs in the diary, hosting Room 2 in fabric being a highlight on 10th July, but who knows!

Your events at Sub Club under Thunder Disco Club were amongst the best the club has seen; do you have any plans to bring the thunder back?

Jubè and I chatted about this before but we both have our projects now and we decided when we do things in future together we’ll do it as Hammer Hits x Party Chat – which is his clothing brand and a project that’s been doing so well too. So it makes sense to focus on these instead of looking backward!

Will there be a return to the Sub Club?

Always! Planning a party there in December and hopefully also a Hammer Hits tour party at some point too. I’ll be returning there forever!

Disco has always been a big part of your sound, how do you juggle your love for all the other sounds and genres that make up you as an artist?

I’ve been thinking about this a lot recently, and I’ve decided to just keep it natural and carry on as I always have; which is mixing and matching as I feel fit. The disco sound I’m producing has a modern club edge to it so it means things can work if I want to combine. Depending on my mood I can go full disco or full techno, the latter being the route I choose for this mix.

We need to ask an important question, what concept came first…the idea for ‘Fonda’ the album or the video’s?

The videos!!!

Seriously though explain where the idea of ‘Fonda’ came from?

It was a lockdown workout project, which allowed me to focus and stay stimulated artistically, musically and physically. Making the music, doing the artwork and promo videos, planning the workouts and dressing up and preforming the workouts. Jane Fonda was a huge inspiration, from as early as the Thunder Disco days. So it felt natural to call the body of work – 10 x 10 minutes workout tracks – after her. So I named the final album Fonda 🙂

What else has been happening in the studio lately? Anything due to come out on Remmah or any other labels that you can talk about?

I’ve started signing other artists on Remmah which is really exciting, it’s a new Avenue for me and a new challenge. First signing is Anna Gram and her debut release is out in 9th July. It’s an absolute belter EP. Heaven Help Me is available to stream now so worth checking out. My other label Italo Hiits is looking good too I’ve loads of big italo club melters lined up 🙂

Your stream alongside Bicep at the Saatchi Gallery was one for the books, do you see this type of performance as a natural progression of the artform or an example of getting creative during a period of no events?

This was a special stream and Bicep went the extra mile and made it a global success. But I think there’s a time and place for these things – they’re a creative reaction to hard times and I really hope we are almost past that!

What events do you have coming up that you are most looking forward to?

The fabric gig for sure, they have done big changes to the club and Room 2 is looking class with a great new DJ booth too. What an honour to be asked to host Room 2. I’ve invited Glasgow’s Anna Gram down to play with me and MCDE, Orpheu The Wizard and Young Marco are playing Room 1 – mega.

You have gone for something different with your mix for us give us the lowdown?

I haven’t made a techno mix in so long and was itching to do one. So I went in loose and guns blazing, recording it in my studio on a sunny Saturday afternoon with a few beers. I really enjoyed it and I hope that comes across in the listening experience.

You have gone for something different with your mix for us give us the lowdown?

I haven’t made a techno mix in so long and was itching to do one. So I went in loose and guns blazing, recording it in my studio on a sunny Saturday afternoon with a few beers. I really enjoyed it and I hope that comes across in the listening experience.

You were there for the first Terminal V event has this played a part in your track choice?

Yes well it felt perfect to make you guys a more upbeat techy mix. The energy of that big warehouse was crazy the first time I went along to Terminal V!

What can we expect from your set at Halloween?

I’m thinking more if the same. It’s a great chance to pump it out so I’m gonna go right in 🙂

 

Interview by  Stu Todd