Interview: Hoffy Beats Shares his Background in Music, Sources of Inspiration, and Studio Equipment

If you're a fan of lofi or chillhop, you've probably stumbled upon the Denmark-based producer and pianist Hoffy Beats. He has become a well-known face in the community and is at this moment one of the most successful artists in the scene - and for a good reason! His sound is built on strong chord progressions often paired with beautiful accompaniment such as horns or guitars, as well as clean-sounding drums that stand out from the crowd in terms of sheer quality.

I've met this guy a couple of times now and I’m very impressed with the down-to-earth aura he gives off. I feel like there's a clear connection between his calm vibe and his work, artistically speaking.

So without further ado, let's dive into this interview! We'll be getting into things like Jonas' musical background, his sources of inspiration, favorite pieces of gear in the studio, as well as an exclusive mix by the man himself.

Tracklist:

1. Shopan - Greens (feat. quickly, quickly)
2. Moonchild - Cure
3. Anomalie - Canal
4. HONNE - I Might
5. quickly, quickly - I Am Close to the River
6. The RH Factory - Crazy Race
7. The Cool Quest - Hesitate
8. Telemakus - You Ready
9. Jordan Rakei - Add The Bassline
10. Pale Jay - Shameful Game
11. Master Soul Boy - Dreaming
12. Woo Park - Tiny Straws

Hey Jonas! Thank you for taking the time to have this chat with me. How are you doing today?

Hey Alexander! Thanks for having me. I’m doing great – finally back in the studio after an amazing skiing trip and a week in bed with Covid. I’m super pumped to get started on some new music!

First off all, I spot a lot of familiar artists in this mix you've made for us. I'll definitely be playing it a lot in my freetime!! I'd love to know what perspective you had in mind when creating this mix?

My mix features 12 incredible songs that have inspired me in many ways. Recreating these grooves, learning the complex chord progressions and referencing the colorful mixes has helped me develop my musical vocabulary.

Can you tell me a bit about your musical background? It’s no secret that you’re well versed in piano playing, and I’d love to know how you got to the point you’re at today.

I’ve been fascinated with music for as long as I can remember. My father gave me his old guitar and taught me the basics when I was in my early teens. I had lessons at the local music school as well. When I got a bit older I discovered the piano and started exploring how to play it by myself. It felt so much easier and more logical to me than the guitar. I don’t know a lot of theory, but my best tip for improving your piano skills is definitely learning to play songs you like by ear. Figure out the chords and melodies yourself, and try soloing on top of songs without thinking about scales. 

How did you discover lo-fi hip-hop? It’s been quite a niche style for a long time before its popularity boom a couple of years ago, so I wonder how you came upon it.

I stumbled upon the lo-fi hip-hop scene by accident in the early days of building my network on Instagram. I’ve been producing music for a long time, but I didn’t really have the direction or sound I was going for beforehand.

Where do you find inspiration for your music? I’m curious about your artistic viewpoint and how you want your music to resonate with your listeners.

Inspiration usually comes from listening to new music, or randomly when I’m walking outside – which I love doing. I mostly gravitate towards jazz, soul, and funk music, but I definitely enjoy listening to lo-fi beats for inspiration as well. Most of my work has a ‘feel good’ mood I'd say, and usually a strong groove that makes you wanna nod your head. I like the nostalgic characteristics of lo-fi, but I think my listeners mainly enjoy my music because it helps them relax and focus.

Tell me a bit about your 2021 in terms of creating and releasing music?

2021 was a crazy year for me, and by far the most successful one so far in terms of creating and releasing music. It started out with a collaboration with Farnell Newton called “Downtown”, followed by more releases than I can count. I’m most proud of the projects “Tender Memories” with Lenny Loops and my vinyl release “Inner Passages”. 2022 will most likely be even better!

Covid has played a big role for many artists over these past few years – did it have any implications on your creative workflow?

I think Covid forced me to get serious about my craft. I had the choice of either blaming the pandemic for not being able to work or using it as an opportunity to go all-in with music. Therefore, In Spring 2020 I started working non-stop on music, networking, and creating Instagram content.

You seem to be one of the more productive producers in the lo-fi scene; what is it about your approach that makes you able to create freely and efficiently?

I think the key to productivity is consistency. Making music every day should be a priority. Even if you don’t feel like it some days, you can always spend 5-10 minutes in your DAW to build a daily habit. Collaboration is another great way to work more efficiently and get the most out of your time. Whenever I’m stuck on a track, I bounce the stems and send them to a different artist who will listen with fresh ears, which can help take the track to the next level. That way you’re not wasting your time trying to force yourself; the process should always be fun and enjoyable!

I've been having the "Long Way Home" EP on repeat for a while now, I'm loving the compositional work and the jazzy touch on this one, especially "Rainfall"! Can you tell me a bit about this project?

“Long Way Home" is an EP by Bertram Kvist and myself. Our vision for this project was to create tunes sprinkled with mellow notes, soft jazzy sax, and soulful grooves that hit the feeling of late-night cityscapes and nostalgic emotions. So get ready for a stroll through an urban jungle of neon lights and nostalgia!

Moving on to the topic of releasing music, I wanted to ask you if you have any tips for going about that?

If you’re starting out, the best way to go is probably to release your music through a label that can help promote your music. I got almost all my label connections by collaborating with artists who already had music released through labels. In the beginning, I used platforms like SubmitHub to push my music, but I think you’re way better off investing the money in Facebook or IG ads. Try to build your network by providing as much value to everyone as possible. Ask yourself what you can offer to labels and other artists.

I remember seeing that you built a new studio a little while back. How has it turned out?

My new studio is amazing. I have an upright piano, a drum kit, and great acoustic treatment. It’s actually hidden behind a big black curtain in the living room, haha.

What are your favorite pieces of hardware/gear in your studio; and for what reasons are these your favorites?

• SSL2 Audio Interface: Amazing and cheap interface with a nice big volume knob and “vintage” sounding pre-amps. I use this mainly for output monitoring.

• Clarett+ 8pre: Crystal clear pre-amps and very low-latency input monitoring. I’ve connected all my instruments and microphones to this interface to get an easy and efficient workflow in the studio.

• Roland Fa08 keyboard/midi controller: 88 ivory feel weighted keys – it works as an audio interface as well, which is very useful when playing live.

• Sontronics Helios tube mic: my favorite microphone for recording mono drums.

• Peerless Contessa Jazz Guitar – Warm and beautiful tone every time. It plays like a dream and rarely needs any processing.

What can we expect to hear from HoffyBeats in the future? If it’s something you’ve planned out or given any thought to.

I have a ton of interesting projects coming up – I’ll keep releasing lo-fi beats, but I’m also experimenting with other directions. I’m slowly, but surely, developing a new piano plugin for example, which will hopefully be ready next year!