Neon Owl Interview with San Holo

Elaine: It’s a little bit different. I like it.

San: Yeah. But I think that might be one of my best songs. A lot of people are like this is weird…

Elaine: Weird in a good way.

San: Yeah. Different is always weird at first. But then it starts to become normal.

Elaine: So tell us about how your collaboration with Yellow Claw went.

San: Oh yeah. So I made this track and I thought it still needed some vocals. So I reached out and asked if they were down to submit some vocals. They sent me some stuff. I sampled it and cut it up. They’re great guys.

Elaine: What do you want your fans and audience to feel when they’re listening to your music?

San: I definitely want them to feel something. I think my music is way more about feeling than dancing. Something I’ve come across especially in America is that everyone is always down to get crazy (mocks some dance moves) But sometimes I want to go more into feelings, ya know? Sometimes I feel like I want to make people cry more than make want to make them dance, ya know? So I’m a very nostalgic person. I think about the past, my memories, and relive the moments. I hope that my music reflects that, and have a nostalgic vibe.

Elaine:  And so what influences the way you make music and your overall sound?

San: WOOO.. that’s really one of the toughest question to ask. The way my life has been for the past years reflects my music in some way. It’s hard to put my finger on it and why I am the sound that I am. I think its just a reflection of my personality (shrugs). Sorry.

Elaine: It’s okay! We can get deep! What are two words you would use to describe yourself?

San: Myself? Or my music?

Elaine: Yourself.

San: Super emotional. Uh… probably Nostalgic. I live in the past sometimes. Whenever you hear a song.. you think back of that first moment.. and I live in that moment.

Elaine: Do you have any songs that aren’t yours that make you feel that way?

San: A lot I listen to a lot of non-electronic music. Bobby Bare. I really love Michael Jackson. Like I really love Michael Jackson. He’s a legend. His song “Human Nature” is so beautiful. I prefer listening to that so much more than like… I really haven’t been listening to dubstep on my earbuds, but in the club when it’s playing.

Elaine: If you were not a producer right now, what career path would you be taking?

San: It’s a really interesting question. Honestly, I started playing the guitar 11 years ago, I never had a backup plan. I always wanted to do something with music. And even though people were like it’s really hard, and say that you gotta find a backup plan, I never really thought about it. Whether that’s playing guitar in a a band or producing music or being in the studio with a band, it was definitely going to be music. If I was not making music, I’d probably be really depressed in a corner crying. Even though I am still crying sometimes.

Elaine: Haha, it’s okay. It’s okay (taps on San’s shoulder). What else do you like to do when you’re not touring and outside of making music? Do you have any other hobbies?

San: DO I have any other hobbies (Looks at Thor)? It’s just music. Always making music. If I’m not making music, I’m listening to music. I wish I was more into going to the gym or something., and exercising.

Elaine: Do you jump with the crowd?

San: Oh yeah, thats my exercise. But I really wish that I went to the gym. I really want to do that, so now I’m gonna do that.

Elaine: Are you lying? I’m gonna hold you accountable to that.

San: No, yeah. I will.

Elaine: So obviously a lot of artists go through artistic blocks. What do you do when that happens to you?

San: I just had one of those days like today, when you don’t feel inspired at all. It sucks so bad because everytime you feel like that you feel like “I’m never going to be able to create something.” But that guy right there, my tour manager (points at Thor)… he taught me that inspiration isn’t inside of you, its outside of you. You should not force it. He’s a wise guy.

(Thor blushes)

Elaine: You’re making him blush.

San: Yeah, you should not force anything. It just comes to you, and it takes time. Do something that makes you feel good and it will come.

Elaine: What piece of advice do you have for aspiring artists out there trying to make it and trying to get heard?

San: I still feel like I’m like that.

Elaine: Okay, headlining tours and all, right?

San: The only thing I can say is that it takes a lot of work, hours and hours and hours. Everytime your friends are going out Friday and Saturday, you’re in your room. It’s probably gonna be like that for years. Cause I’ve been doing this for years and only just now like last year did I start to kind of blow up. So it’s really about putting so much work into it and constantly doubting like is this good enough? I wanna be better. I wanna be the best. So you really gotta put so much time and work into it. If you don’t feel like you want to do this 110% then its probably not what you’re supposed to be doing. It’s not about the money, but its about actually wanting to make music.

Elaine: What do you think the music industry needs more of less of?

San: What I’ve noticed a lot is that electronic music is not always about the music, but about marketing and brand. I’m not going to hate, but it’s hard sometimes. It’s all about the music, but sometimes its about hype and the brand. I just see through that because that doesn’t touch me. I hope that one day people understand. Sometimes music sounds exactly the same, and yet they are still so big. I respect everyone, but I want to do something different.

Elaine: Do you remember a time that you were struggling and what you did to get past that?

San: All of the years before this, I’ve been struggling. It’s realization that this isn’t good enough yet, and you keep on pushing. It’s always a struggle.

Elaine: Do you feel like you’re really hard on yourself?

San: Yeah! Even right now I’m still not happy. I still don’t think its good enough sometimes.

Elaine: Do you think you’ll ever get to that level? Or when you get to that level, you’ll want to take it to the next level?

San: That’s exactly true. I thought that I’d be happy not having to work a day job and just play music, but still realized that it still isn’t good enough. It’s dangerous because sometimes I gotta enjoy it and appreciate the moments as well.

Elaine: So since you’re so hard on yourself, what do you do to celebrate your successes? And don’t tell me nothing. I’m gonna challenge you to that too!

San: (Smirks) This is kinda interesting. When I release a new track, I just love reading some comments and I love hate comments. Some of them say “where is the drop” or “what is this shit?” I actually love that shit so much. My tour manager, and best friend as well start reading these comments and laugh our asses off! I also do a lot of walking. But now that you asked me, I realized that I don’t have a life outside of music. I should get a life.

Elaine: You should definitely get a life. I challenge you to get a life.

San: Yeah, haha!