Pressing play on an Adam Husa track or set means coasting into a distinct, deep and often trippy world. Based between Montreal and Cairo, the producer, Husa Sounds founder, and recent label boss is releasing his first album, following a pensive retreat into music production. The result is Lost In Translation, a moody 7-tracker at times organic, at times galactic and game-y. The album glides from deep and prog grounds towards a more enigmatic feel, reflecting recent Adam’s explorations around Egypt.  

WWD: Hey Adam, thanks for joining us ! What was your gateway into electronic music? Was there a set moment when you decided this is what you wanted to dedicate yourself to? 

I was always fascinated about how music makes us feel, and one day I went to the biggest rave I had seen at the time: Bal En Blanc in Montreal. That’s when I first saw a big room get taken away with music and visuals, and decided that that’s what I want to do!

WWD: How would you describe your sound? 

Something around the lines of Deep House, Progressive House, Nu-Disco, Minimal. Never quite sure how to answer this one. You just got to listen and judge for yourself 🙂 

WWD: Lost in Translation is your first album. How did the story come about, and why did you choose the album format over the usual EPs and individual releases?

This album was a chapter in my life where I was exposed to new surroundings after deciding to leave Canada for winter to go produce music in Egypt. I felt free. Escaping the usual routine left space for imagination to flow and this is what came out! 

WWD: How has moving from Montreal to Cairo impacted you as a musician? 

In Montreal, I was knee deep into the event industry, either by playing constant gigs or by producing the show itself. Cairo for me is the new chapter in my career, where I develop my sound as a music producer with no distractions.

WWD: How is music a form of translation? Did making an album bring about some answers in this? 

Music is a vibration that pulses with our souls, but each person translates the sounds in different ways. Making an album was super interesting for me as I was trying to translate my story and connecting the dots in between the tracks

WWD: All of your album tour’s scheduled gigs have been postponed … Do you feel more strongly about communicating your music virtually because of this? 

It’s a different approach, but I hope this will resonate with a lot of people while in isolation and help get through the hard times! Under these circumstances, we also decided to release one of the more dance-floor ready tracks, ‘One Time’, as a free download for two weeks. We wanted to bring a bit more groove and energy into people’s space as they stay home. 

WWD: The release marks the launch of Husa Sounds Records. What do you hope to bring to the electronic music landscape with the label? 

This expansion is an exciting project! The platform will be a creative space for artists of our local community to speak their stories in their own unique way. We want to give a greater voice to Montreal’s electronic music talent, while staying open on what’s being done internationally. 

WWD: You’ve been active in the Montreal scene for most of this decade, as an artist, promoter and event producer. What main trends and challenges have you observed along the way? 

Doing all the above at the same time, it’s hard! I couldn’t focus on music production because I was always trying to plan the next party and make sure I wasn’t losing money. I’m thankful for the move I made to get away from the routine, because now I have a clear head and goals in check! Music is pouring in more than ever in my studio, and ideas for the next Husa Sounds projects are shaping up more than ever! 

WWD: Your sets are known to be quite trippy. They embrace a certain weirdness and make it danceable. How do you balance both those worlds, the more obscure sounds with a dance-floor ready feel? I like going trippy, it makes the listener lose their mind in a way. 

WWD: Apart from the album, you have releases coming up on Seven Villas, can you tell us a bit more about this release?  

Yes! I’ve always been a big fan of Pablo Bolivar. It is with great honour to have an upcoming release on his platform! This release consists of 2 collaborations with my dear friend Artphorm. We’ve been working on this release for over a year! One of them; “?lien” all started with a bike ride during a studio break where we met this older greek teacher man who told us about his history in a peculiar way. 

WWD: What are you listening to these days? 

Not much electronic music to be honest, been looking though the colours show and discovering cool acts regardless of the style. I’ve been obsessed with this one track: Rimon – Dust

WWD: Apart from the album, what can we look forward to, from your project and Husa Sounds Records? 

We’re going to start pushing more towards videos, we just launched our mini series “Husa Sounds Stories” entering the lifestyle of artists we find interesting! We kicked off the first episode with Gab Rhome!  As for events,we’re waiting to see what happens with covid19 before planning our next events. 

The full premiere of Adam Husa’s new track ‘Valley of the Kings’ is now available on When We Dip. Enjoy!

Release Date: April 29th 2020. Buy Here

Follow: Adam Husa // Husa Sounds

Interview by Basma Muhammad