Get to Know: Ben Hauke, Pushing Boundaries with 'CLUB CUTE'

South London's multifaceted producer and musician, Ben Hauke, is making waves with his latest venture into the realm of electronic music. His debut album, ‘CLUB CUTE,’ released under the revered Touching Bass imprint and helmed by Errol and Alex Rita, features a dynamic blend of tracks that highlight Hauke's innovative spirit. The album's single, ‘IS STILL,’ featuring London-based rapper Jadasea, recently premiered on Mary Anne Hobbs’ BBC Radio 6 Music show, setting the stage for an exciting journey through Hauke's sonic landscape.

Reflecting on the album's inception, Ben explains, "There was an active, conscious plan to create an album with many features." He further elaborates, "There were a lot of artists I know I want to work with or have worked with," underscoring his desire to blend genres and push creative boundaries.

With influences spanning deep house, UK garage, and techno, Hauke has spent the past decade cultivating a reputation for boundary-pushing productions. Collaborations with esteemed artists like Goya Gumbani, Katy B, and Shy One highlight the eclectic nature of 'CLUB CUTE,' seamlessly blending diverse musical elements into a cohesive auditory journey.

Rooted in Lewisham and shaped by his time at the BRIT School, Hauke reflects on his musical journey, emphasising the boundless creativity that drives his work. “I do believe whatever you make in this period of time, that is you expressing yourself, so you should document that and show it,” he states, reflecting on the process of creating the tracks for his album.

"CLUB CUTE made me realise how versatile I can be as a producer."

Tracks like ‘IS STILL’ showcase Hauke's signature two-step broken beat style intertwined with Jadasea's distinctive sample-based rap. His collaborations with Katy B and with Shy One, show the dimensions to his sound, adding to the album's rich diversity.

The journey wasn't without its challenges, as Hauke admits, "Not being able to just keep putting out other music, that was kind of hard." Nonetheless, Hauke crafted a collection that speaks to both his artistic vision and collaborative spirit. “It needed to be varied to be interesting,” he explains about the multitude of genres ‘CLUB CUTE’ crosses.

As anticipation builds for the release of 'CLUB CUTE,' Ben Hauke emerges as a dynamic force in the music industry, driven by his fearless creativity and unwavering passion for sonic exploration. "It's a bit of an old school way of doing it," Ben muses. "Basically, going quiet and then just doing loads of songs at once and having loads of PR at once." He adds, "I'm quite happy with it now. I'm quite content with it being a slow process," reflecting on the evolution of his debut album.

The album art and tracks coming together was a particularly enjoyable process for Hauke, who explains, “When you get the artwork and you're like, ‘Oh alright, that’s the vibe, cool,’ and then you like it even more.” This holistic approach is reflected in the album's structure, with tracks like ‘Tech Funk,’ a more bass-heavy club sound that debuted on Bandcamp last year but felt like it elevated ‘CLUB CUTE’ for Ben. “It made the album a journey and gave it a build; the end is more high energy,” he says.

Hauke describes 'CLUB CUTE' as his way of saying goodbye to the more chilled, jazzy house side of his music. He’s now more into “faster and bassier tunes at the moment,” and views ‘CLUB CUTE’ as the catalyst for transitioning into a “slightly different vibe.” This album is his first in a decade since he last released an EP, “The enjoyment is making something and then showing it to people,” he explains.

For Ben Hauke, 'CLUB CUTE' represents not only a milestone in his career but also a testament to the power of collaboration and creative perseverance in the face of challenges. In the ever-evolving landscape of electronic music, he stands poised to make a lasting impact with his genre-blending approach and unbridled creativity. As he continues to explore new musical frontiers, one thing is certain: Ben Hauke's journey is just beginning.