Hijinx Presents: Survival Loop EP.
Nearly a decade after his first release on Wheel & Deal under the alias Mr. K, the Bristol-based producer is pushing beyond genre expectations and documenting his artistic evolution one release at a time. Blurring lines between genres and moods, Hijinx is currently making some of the most interesting electronic bass music in our realm. The new Survival Loop EP screams progression and experimentation whilst retaining a focus on the clubs.
Surrounded by the sounds of garage and jungle from an early age, he was introduced to DJing and music production through his older brother. Other key influences came from skateboarding where he got more into bands and hip-hop, or from listening to FabricLive.37 where he became hooked on dubstep.
Yet one of his earliest musical memories stemmed from an unlikely source - the neighbours. "When I was about four or five, living in a council flat in Essex, my neighbour used to blast The Prodigy - The Fat of the Land… I’d sit there with my ear to the wall thinking, 'What is this?'"
Arguably the pivotal moment that has shaped the here and now however - being introduced to Fruity Loops by a friend.
“We used to download random MIDI files like the Super Mario theme and chop breaks over them, making terrible 16 bar loops for hours. He lost interest, I didn’t, and here we are!
Now firmly established in Bristol, he speaks highly about the city he calls home. "It's such a unique city. It's a real melting pot of creativity… It’s very open, very laid-back, and people seem genuinely comfortable being themselves."
That atmosphere naturally nurtures his artistic exploration. "I think this kind of environment naturally feeds into creativity, even if it's not always in a musical sense."
Ultimately, curiosity remains a driving force. "A big part of it is the excitement of exploring new sounds and seeing where they lead." Perhaps this openness explains why his music has developed such a distinct yet broad sonic identity over the years. The notion that artists should have one recognisable sound is something that he has admittedly wrestled. A breakthrough coming with the realisation that variety was an essential part of creativity.
“It’s easy to fall into the same patterns and end up repeating yourself, but I don’t find that enjoyable. I’d rather push myself and try something different. In a way I’m quite selfish maybe in not caring what people think.”
When it comes to production, a mix of hardware and software is key. While much of his current workflow exists inside the box, he still leans on modular gear, particularly Eurorack systems. "I still use a couple of Eurorack modules. FX Aid for multi-effects and a Mutable Instruments Clouds clone for granular business." He recently parted ways with his Vhikk X, which we can look forward to hearing a lot of in the Survival Loop EP.
Asked to name his top five producers proves to be a tough question. “Five is out of order… Right now in this very moment it's Cesco, Ago, Josi Devil, NINA, Cimm, Commodo, Kursa - and the bossman Alix, of course." When it comes to bands - ”Chat Pile, Show Me The Body, Deftones and Melvins. I’ve also been listening to Mercury lately."
Reflecting on the project, the Survival Loop EP represents an honest snapshot of where he is at musically right now, noting that it is probably his proudest work to date. If people connect with it, then that's the cherry on top.
“I’m learning that I’m less about fitting into a lane and more about documenting where I’m at in that moment, which is exciting because every release is going to be different.”
As for what’s in the pipeline, the next chapter is already underway with an album in motion. “It’s always felt a bit daunting, but I’m at a point now where I’m genuinely happy with what I’m making, so it feels like the right time.”
The Survival Loop EP is out now on all platforms digitally. The limited Survival Loop T-shirt is available online exclusively at 1985.co.uk. No restocks.