Irish multi-instrumental act EHCO has released a remix version of Melbourne-based artist Liza Flume’s track, When We Were Kids.
EHCO adds a dash of its signature electronica sound to the remix – turning an established track into a mesmerizing masterpiece with a fresh perspective provided by the five-piece act.
Eoin Whitfield, the mastermind behind the single, puts together a downtempo track with layers of synthetic brilliance and creativity, giving Flume’s work a polished and hypnotic makeover that we didn’t know it needed.
When We Were Kids is layered with pulsating beats and a colourful entourage of synth keys topped off with a bed of entrancing and ethereal vocals. With a mix of live instruments infused with electronic elements, the track evokes a unique charm and energy that has become characteristic of EHCO’s sound.
EHCO has accomplished what many struggle to do in the electronic scene, which is to remix a song by adding another level of nuanced aesthetic and sonic input while simultaneously remaining grounded in its original roots.
With years of international experience under its belt, EHCO has mastered the art of bountiful remixes, especially when it comes to a melodic house track.
The Irish act first started out as a joint project between renowned producer Eoin Whitfield and vocalist Jessy Lord.
What’s your story as an artist?
I started playing music when I was 12, my friends and I went on to form a band call Kidd Blunt which ran for over a decade. We created a d.i.y. scene in our tiny village Kilcoole in Co. Wicklow Ireland. We put on affordable all ages events which drew crowds from all over the country, we put on international touring bands and played along side them. We organised our own tours in Ireland, the UK and Europe and inspired other Irish artists to do the same. In the wake of Kidd Blunt I started a new band called Enemies, we ran for roughly a decade and and in that time managed to tour extensively in Ireland, UK, Europe, Japan and other parts of Asia, and the US. We got lucky in becoming affiliated with one of the biggest bands in the post rock/math rock scene, a Japanese band called Toe. That affiliation was one of the main reasons we rose to what some would consider cult status within the genre. When Enemies finished up I started producing electronic music and formed EHCO, myself and the other 4 members have been playing together and finding our sound over the past few years. It’s now reaching a point where I feel we’re actually finding it.
What do you want your music to communicate?
I want my music to make people move, whether that’s emotionally, mentally, or physically. I especially like the idea of taking people on a journey. I try to make my music original and steer away from convention in ways I find satisfying. I suppose essentially I want to communicate freedom of experience.
What are some sources of inspiration for your storytelling?
All that I experience really.. the most noticeable of emotions; love/pain, happiness/sadness, excitement, compassion. Creating music for me is drawing from what is most substantial in both my outer experience and inner experience, and bringing them together as an expression.
Who is an artist that you look up to more than others today?
Rival Consoles, its just the richness of sound he achieves, it baffles me. Im so far from that level of sonic mastery, it’s as if he’s borrowed instruments from the future.
What’s the record or artist that made you realize you wanted to be an artist?
I was 12 and it was Nirvana Nevermind
Tell us about your latest release and how it came about
Well at the start of this year, 2021, I was actually taking a break from music, I realised I had never taken a step back since I started over 25 years ago. I had lots of other things to focus on while the country went back into lockdown so I took advantage of the circumstances.
Lisa reached out to me on the 2nd of January and asked if I was interested in remixing any of the 4 tracks on her upcoming EP. I had pretty much already made my mind up that I would decline but had a listen through the EP out of curiosity.
When I heard “When We Were Kids” I couldn’t resist taking it on, it just had a tone and feel that screamed at me to work with it. When I replied to Lisa she said she knew I’d go for that one haha.
What inspires your sound?
The music I listen to and the emotions I feel, I feel inspired by the thought of making others feel.
What’s your favorite tune of yours?
Currently my favorite song is probably
As in my favorite EHCO song? Probably the song I’ve just finished working on, it’s currently called “Relief”. Whatever song is most current in my creative bank is usually my favorite until the next one comes along.
Where are some things you really want to accomplish as an artist?
Ideally I’d just like to be playing festivals in the summer and producing records in the winter.
Favorite lyric you ever wrote?
I haven’t written any lyrics in a long long time.
Was there ever a moment when you felt like giving up?
Yes actually, when I took that break from music earlier this year. My mindset and self belief in regards to my music and creativity got really unstable. I would go from being fine and enjoying the step back, to extremely negative. There were times where I felt like giving up because I felt like it was overall bad for my mental health. I’m glad I managed to get out of that, it felt like an emotional infection. I would imagine the pandemic was largely responsible.. the stripping back of regular daily inspiration, and gigging and things like that.
What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. All my eggs were in my music basket and the pressure strangled my creativity. When Enemies ended I had nothing else going on, starting a new band from scratch was difficult and it takes a lot of time or luck to get back to that place, and fulfil my sense of purpose in that way. I decided to start a new journey and do a degree in psychotherapy. My eggs are no longer in one basket and my creativity is flowing freely.
Where do you think the next game changer will be in the music industry and entertainment scene?
I’m not too sure, but I would love to see a new era/infrastructure emerge which makes its easier for artists to create and share their music without having to struggle financially. So many artists have to work multiple jobs and pour every penny they can into getting their music out there these days.
