10 things you didn't know about the artists of Hard Summer 2018
Go hard or go home
After teaming up with event promotion mammoth Insomniac, the 2018 edition of Hard Summer - which returned to The Speedway in Fontana, California this August - went off with a far-reaching and superior bang.
The sweltering weather during the two-day event called for a menu of refreshing house music, sweaty bass tracks and fierce hip-hop performances. Featuring artists from all across the electronic music spectrum, Mixmag touched base with 10 outstanding acts at the 11th edition of Hard Summer to better understand their pre-show rituals and what type of music they've been seeking out on their own.
Check out their answers below.
Melé
Most recent track you enjoyed listening to?
“The obvious one would be Fisher's 'Losing It' tune. I think that's the big track everyone's playing. I'm really into digging for old records and finding things from 1994 that no one's ever heard, they just sound totally new.”
Dena Amy
Whats your pre-show ritual?
“I always burn incense before I go on stage.”
Kittens
Last festival or concert you attended for fun?
“An Erykah Badu concert.”
Bontan
Most recent track you enjoyed listening too?
“'Sicko Mode' off 'Astroworld', the new Travis Scott album. It starts out with a fake Drake verse and that's the craziest thing I've ever heard.”
Felix Da Housecat
Whats your pre-show ritual?
“Right now, it’s just ginger water with sparkling water and a cold brew coffee. Then I listen to some Frankie Knuckles, Jellybean Benitez and other old-school disco mixes to get me hyped. Then I chill by myself for 15 before I go on, because it’s all about energy, ain't it?”
FLOSSTRADAMUS
Whats your pre-show ritual?
“Going over my set with OCD care and trying to figure out what I want to play. I just focus on that.”
San Holo
Most recent track you enjoyed listening too?
“I just finished an album, there are a lot of songs that mean a lot to me. I just released a song called 'Worthy'. It has guitars, a drop and it paints a nice picture of the new sound that I'm after.”
TOKIMONSTA
Whats the last festival or concert you attended for fun?
"Burning Man."
Madam X
Whats your pre-show ritual?
“I just chill out at the hotel and watch Netflix.”
Valentino Khan
Whats your pre-show ritual?
“Stretching. I try to be as athletic as I can without being a professional athlete. Stretching is a must.”
Photos: Dove Shore Studios, Getty Images, Rony Alwin, Natt Lim, Miranda McDonald, Graham John Bell
