Canada’s own, Cyril Hahn is a man whose seamless ability to meld r&b with electronica has not only made a lot of music fans happy but has helped him to see his own star rise exponentially. His remix of Destiny’s Child’s Say My Name got him noticed and now after the many remixes that have followed we are being tantalised with his original production. While he is a humble, funny and cool guy he manages to have be all three and steer clear from being an annoying, lame, one-hit wonder. With his ever busy schedule, he managed to find a 15 minute window for my lame (but not that lame) questions and I got to pick Lil Hahn’s mind.

Hey Cyril, how are you today?

Great thanks!

So where in the world are you right now? Now you’ve blown up and are touring heaps do you get to spend much time at home?

I’m currently in Glasgow where I’ll be playing in a couple of hours. I can’t say I’ve had much time at home this year which can definitely get to me at times but generally speaking it’s been really great to play in so many different spots this year.

Lots of my fav artists have come out of Canada – you, Ryan Hemsworth and Drake. I’ve been seeing you guys tweeting at each other and its pretty cute, how did you and Ryan become such good friends?

We first started writing to each other on Soundcloud. We were both into the other’s music so we’d start chatting about production and exchange music. Later on we happened to be on the same booking agency and they asked whether we’d be interested in a tour together. It wasn’t a hard decision to make for either of us. We knew it’d be a really good match.

What’s your fav track on the Drake’s new album, Nothing Was The Same? Mine is Come Thru tbh.

Probably Too Much, mostly because of Sampha’s amazing contribution.

So you’re a big fan of The Dream and similarly you wish to produce for other people one day. Is his career something you aspire to?

He’s definitely got the recipe down to create a number one RnB Pop tune. That’s not really my priority but I do love his production.

Despite you being heavily influenced by R&B you have a huge electronic fan base. Which electronic producers do you think are important or influential to your sound?

I’d say the ones that have been most important to me over the last couple of years are The Field, Caribou, Pantha du Prince and Stars of the Lid.

So a belated congratulations on releasing your Perfect Form EP with PMR! Are you happy with the reception you received for it from fans?

Thanks! I was definitely curious to see how people will react to an original since I’ve only released remixes before but the response has been really great.

I know you speak about remixes being undervalued but I guess it’s just one of the downsides of electronic music, everyone is thirsty for original material. So, if this means more original material, who else are you looking to collaborate with?

There’s a lot of vocalists on my label that I can’t wait to work with obviously. I’m currently talking to Javeon and I think we’ll be working on a song together next month. Hopefully I have it ready for Australia and you guys will be able to hear it.

Does this mean that there is an album in the works?

Definitely another release. Either it’ll be an EP or an album. It really depends on what happens in the studio over the next couple of months.

So I think its pretty cool how you never thought you’d be making a living off music and now you’re a cool producer who gets to tweet at all my fav djs. Is it still overwhelming sometimes or have you finally settled in to the new life you have, (with touring, being cool etc)?

Haha, I don’t know about the being cool part. It’s definitely still really overwhelming. I never really planned on playing shows so it was both strange and wonderful to play huge festivals this summer.

I did lurk your tweets before this interview, sorry for faving pretty much all of them but you seem to attract really bizarre requests and experiences like being cut off by club bosses sons and getting asked to play Lil Wayne 2 minutes into your set. So what’s the weirdest request you’ve gotten at the club?

Haha, I’d say those are probably some of the strangest. I’m usually in my own world and really focused when I play so I don’t really notice what’s going on so often I don’t notice people requesting things.

So its cool you’re coming to Australia at the start of next year. Have you been here before? Is there anything you’re looking forward to? Is there anything you need to know?

It’s my first time and I’m definitely really excited. I really wanna go hang out with some koala bears and I also have some friends that I haven’t seen in years so it’s gonna be great.

Is it a bummer you’re going to be spending new years in a strange country away from home or is your gf coming down with you? If The OC taught us anything its that you need to be with your gf or bf on nye or your life is forever ruined.

Hahaha…fortunately enough my girlfriend is able to be there for NYE so I’m happy we’re not doomed!

Is your gf a fan of your music?

I wouldn’t say a fan cause I would never want to date a fan, haha but she is extremely supportive with what I do.

I know you’re a big advocate of all day breakfasts which is soooo up my alley. If there is one thing to look forward to when you’re down here it’s the hollandaise sauce. Our hollandaise game is pretty strong. What’s your favourite thing to have for breakfast though?

I do like hollandaise, especially on eggs benedict. If I’m feeling healthy I really like cereal with fruit and otherwise just the standard things – eggs, cheese, nice bread, lots of variety and extreme amounts of coffee.

Well I can’t wait to see you when you’re down here tbh. You’re playing one of the coolest music festivals we have in Melbourne on New Years Day, which is Let Them Eat Cake and everyone is pretty chilled so I think you’ll have a great time. Ah the lineup is so good too. Is there anyone you’re looking to check out/hang out with?

I know a couple of people already like Julio Bashmore and Dusky. I really hope I get to catch Bicep, James Holden, and Floating Points though.

What can everyone expect from your set at Let Them Eat Cake?

Puppies, confetti and and fireworks.

 

Make sure you bring Cyril Hahn some breakfast at get ready to pat some puppies on NYD at Let Them Eat Cake 2014