HARD Summer is an annual music festival held at various locations in Southern California. It is known for its diverse lineup of electronic, hip-hop, and alternative music artists. The event typically spans two days and attracts a large and enthusiastic crowd of music lovers from across the region and beyond. The festival isn’t just about the music; it’s also a vibrant cultural experience. The festival grounds are filled with art installations, food vendors, interactive experiences, and a diverse community of music lovers. This combination of music, art, and community creates a dynamic and immersive environment where attendees can connect, dance, and create lasting memories.
What makes HARD Summer so notorious is its eclectic mix of musical genres and the caliber of artists it features. Attendees can experience live performances from well-established headliners and up-and-coming artists and newcomers, creating an atmosphere of discovery and excitement.
What to expect from an uprising artist on HARD Summer
This year’s lineup is notably more diverse than ever before! With representation from so many cultures and communities. Direct from the bass scene, we got to sit down and chat with one of my longtime favorite artists – INFEKT. INFEKT, also known as Christian Fial, is a German dubstep artist known for his aggressive and dark style within the genre. He has gained recognition for pioneering the “Riddim” subgenre, characterized by minimalistic yet powerful basslines and intense sound design.
INFEKT has released music on prominent labels and has built a dedicated following through his dynamic live performances, known for their high-energy and immersive experience. His contributions to the underground electronic music scene continue to influence and shape the landscape of modern dubstep.
Below is an exclusive INFEKT mix from HARD Summer along with an interview with the man himself:
In Conversation with INFEKT
Electric Hawk: Hi INFEKT! I am so excited to sit down and speak with you today – been a fan for such a long time and it has been amazing to see your journey.
You have so much going on this summer – between festivals, shows that are all constantly selling out, your release with MONSTERCAT this week, what has been the most exciting part of your summer?
INFEKT: This has been one of the most amazing years of my life. There are so many highlights! One moment in particular that stands out to me is when we had a custom stage for my Denver show. Thinking about what I would like my stage to look like and then seeing it in real life is just incredible. Also so glad I got to bring my wife with me to most of the big moments. Sharing them with her always makes them feel all the more impactful.
EH: One of my favorite things about your sound design is how bright and dimensional it is while really honing in on minimalism. What has been your biggest inspiration in creating these sounds?
INFEKT: The pursuit of making the most surreal and futuristic new sounds is inspiring for me in itself, and also the AG racing game WipEout has been an inspiration for many years. I love the sound design in that game so much.
EH: Your HARD Summer set is coming up – I’ve just had a chance to listen to it now. It is full of so many originals which makes it so cohesive. What has it been like to evolve into the artist you are with a showcase like this?
INFEKT: I’m super passionate about this very specific sound. For 13 years now I’m going to keep pushing it in new directions while retaining the key characteristics and elements! It’s just always exciting to see where else you can take it.
EH: When looking back [at] the history of dubstep and riddim, so much of the sounds and early tracks stem directly from Europe in the 1990s and early 2000s. I also see you are from Germany – what has it been like to create and learn about bass music in Europe and then bring it over to the states?
INFEKT: Honestly when I first started getting into this subgenre of Dubstep it was super underground, so it’s been unreal to see the potential of it unfold in the US. It’s a great feeling to have been there from early on watching the pioneers and to then contribute to it over the years.
EH: One of my favorite things to see in the industry is the new generations of artists that come forward every are finding inspiration directly from artists like you. What words of inspiration do you have for the newer artists looking to make bass music?
INFEKT: I think it’s important not to lose sight of what you personally really enjoy doing as an artist. Often you look at social media platforms and feel the pressure of having to do this very specific style of videos or whatever, just because it does well at the moment. But at the end of the day, you should build your systems around what YOU enjoy doing. In my opinion, that’s the only way to do it in the long run!
Listen to the INFEKT HARD Summer 2024 Exclusive Mix Below!
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