In the vibrant world of electronic music, artists increasingly wear multiple hats as DJs and producers, fusing various genres to create distinctive sounds. Among this wave of talented newcomers is Haywyre, an artist who transcends traditional boundaries by blending modern electronic music with the rich traditions of classical and jazz. Infusing performance videos and live instruments into his shows, Haywyre emerges as a truly unique musical force that captivates audiences worldwide.
Take a glimpse into his creative universe with his latest release, Insight, showcased here:
Following the success of Insight, Haywyre, whose real name is Martin Vogt, is gearing up for an exciting year with the launch of his first solo tour called Two Fold. UKF caught up with this promising artist in New York to explore his rapid ascent in the electronic music scene and to discuss the unique qualities that make him a standout in 2015.
“I love that aspect of playing an instrument, and that’s why I try to include it in live sets – those are the moments I live for, when I’m sitting at the keyboard and I come up with an idea that captivates me.”
Classical Foundations: A Musical Journey in Vienna
Born in the U.S. but raised in Austria, Haywyre’s musical journey took shape in the renowned city of Vienna, a cultural hub steeped in the riches of classical music. “It was insane how intense my piano lessons were there! The teacher made me cry like, two or three times—but it was totally worth it,” he recalls. This rigorous training left an indelible mark on his understanding and appreciation of not only classical but also jazz music, which he initially disliked. “At the time I didn’t even like jazz – I pretty much hated it – but when I was about 12, I realized there was so much depth to it and it grew into a true passion.”
From Academia to the World Stage: A Leap into Music
While pursuing a degree in Music Business at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Haywyre landed an internship at Monstercat, a pivotal moment in his career. “I’ve been releasing music under the name Haywyre since 2009, and it’s always been something that I’ve focused on in my spare time while going to school,” he explains. The internship allowed him to blend academia with real-world experience, further propelling his music career. “During my junior year, we decided I should move to Vancouver and work with them more closely—so I dropped out, and I moved there.”
During his time at Monstercat, he crafted two significant pieces: a performance video of a Michael Jackson bootleg and his album, Two Fold Pt. 1. “It opened my eyes; I realized there was potential for me to consider this as a full-time career.”
Learning from the Masters: Tours with Gramatik and Mat Zo
Last year, Haywyre embarked on a tour with fellow artists Gramatik and Mat Zo. “Touring was unlike anything else I had experienced before,” he says. The opportunity provided him with a behind-the-scenes look at the craft of professional touring and live performance. “It was really cool to consistently see Mat’s set and see how his performances compared to mine. There’s a lot of ways in which they’re similar, but a lot of ways they’re really different, basically just because he DJs and I don’t.”
Check out a snippet of his live performance here:
Originals Take Center Stage in His Performances
What sets Haywyre apart from many of his contemporaries is his focus on original compositions during his performances. “I’m mostly focused on originals – my shows are very performance-oriented,” he states. For him, the liveliness of a crowd resonates deeply with his passion for live instrumentation, contrasting with traditional DJ sets aimed at danceability.
Embracing Improvisation on His Solo Tour
As he prepares for his upcoming Two Fold Tour, Haywyre plans to emphasize improvisation in his shows. “I bring my 64-key keyboard to all my shows. I render all my tracks without the lead instruments and then play them all live. I’ve also started to incorporate other people’s tracks and improvise with those.”
A Vision for the Future: Art, Film, and Music
With ambitious plans for the year ahead, Haywyre aims to complete Part II of the Two Fold album series while diving deeper into the conceptual aspects of his music. “I want to create a musical body of work that is akin to writing a score to my own movie,” he reveals. Each piece aims to have its own visual representation, ultimately piecing together a larger narrative akin to a short film.
Watch a sneak peek of his artistic vision here:
A Community of Artists: His Recommendations for 2015
As a testament to his commitment to the electronic music scene, Haywyre shares artists he believes will make waves in 2015, including Geotheory. “He’s able to blend jazz with electronic hip hop in a really effective way,” he admires. Alongside Geotheory, he also highlights talents like Galimatias, Koan Sound, and Flying Lotus.
Inspiration: The Heart of His Music
Ultimately, Haywyre hopes his music resonates on a deeper level. “If there was one thing I want people to take away from my tour or my music, it’s inspiration. I would much rather have people walk away feeling inspired and wanting to do something creative themselves.”
(Image credit: Dani Goldstein)
