SNS LDNers feat. Houston X

Kicking off our new editorial series called "LDNers" which highlights upcoming creatives in London - we linked up with Houston X in Soho to talk about his debut EP, inspirations, creative processes and his current sneaker rotation. Read the interview below and check out Houston's playlist curated exclusively for SNS.

What first got you into music and how would you describe the transition/development into the music that you typically create nowadays?

I feel like music always been part of me you know. My mother has been about the musician lifestyle when she was younger and carried it on to me and my siblings through the church choir. Started playing drums, and as I got older, I then joined the roster to sing on stage. I remember that stuff was terrifying back then man hahaha, but now I go so wild on the stage! In retrospect it’s like a whole juxtaposition. Like, back then outside gospel, I was influenced by UK grime and trap. Then years later, got into Uni and discovered atmospheric and psychedelic music, music that resonates in the mind and soul. That actually does something to you. So that’s where we at now, sitting right here, creating immersive art everywhere I go.

You just dropped your debut EP ‘Insider’ in June, tell us a bit about that and the creative process behind it?

The name Insider depicts information of high worth that isn’t accessible by just anyone. I’m a guy who’s got a big ass heart, and that tends to let you get messed up sometimes. So, I sorta’ learnt how to put it all on paper, well technically my notepad on my iPhone hahah, but the lyrics I write are helpful information to those who need to understand their emotions. I also made it whilst killing my masters, so there was a lot of things going on in my life that I needed to talk about. I also kinda’ wanted to just have fun with this EP so I collaborated with some fire painters for the artworks and other producers too. Altogether, I wanted to show people my diversity and prepare them for the journey that they have just embarked on.

Were there any challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?

Well the main challenge I’ve always faced was the immense pressure from my parents, to maintain a strong hold on my studies. However, whilst they weren’t so fond of me prioritising the Insider project at the time, I managed to balance the creation and release of the project whilst taking my final exams. There was also the challenge of creating the best mix of my tracks. It’s kinda hard doing all collaborations through skype or zoom calls, but since Diego, my producer, and I have pretty busy lives, it was necessary to adapt, and we maintain a fire mixing relationship on skype. Ayo Skype… Where’s that sponsor dawg?

What’s your favourite song(s) from the EP, and why? Are there any in particular that hold a special place in your heart?

AGGHHHH I HATE THIS QUESTION! But Scarlett Red, CT (SIDE A/B) and Love the Most are my favourite tracks from the project. Scarlett Red was really emotional for me, and it really enveloped a lot of crazy feeling that I still had for my ex-girlfriend… I know, cliché, right? But my previous relationship really did sorta mess me up. Then you encounter Love the most, and you can tell that there’s an obvious connection between the two tracks as they cover the topic and pain of heartbreak and finding who’s real and who’s just there for the ride. People don’t know, but CT stands for ‘Cutthroat’. Just making them both CT Side A and B was a lot of fun because I could be real savage in them. From the 8-bit melody and gun shots in Side A, I swear I was so thrilled to create a second one, so Side B is just me tryna take a dump on the music scene ahah.

__Obviously, your sound is very different to current music in the U.K., what would you describe your sound as & what advice would you give to someone who wants to start creating a similar type of music? __

To put my sound into one word wasn’t easy, but now I’m certain that its ‘Atmospheric’. Atmosphere does something to all of us, whether we like it or not, it’s in the air you breathe, it’s in the wind. Also, I don’t suggest that people should ‘try’ to create similar music. Music comes from deep within, its art. So be true to yourself, and what you believe in, and on God the sound just develops as you get experimental or more confident in your abilities. I love to experiment, as Diego and I have always done so in the past. It’s just way more fun and opens up a world to crazy possibilities.

If you could pick three artists who you would like to collab with in the future - who would they be?

In no real order but Lancey Foux is on another level, so he gotta be on my list. The weeknd, is would be like a dream come true, and Tame Impala. I know the art would be monumental!

Speaking of the future, what can we expect to see from you in the next 6-12 months?

You can expect more art, more projects, more collabs, more everything man! School’s out and now I’m really tryna’ get with it even more. Also, I got a couple surprises lined up too and I’m ready to let loose!

We also know that you’re heavily into your fashion & sneakers - what’s in your current sneaker rotation?

Well I’m a Nike/Jordan kinda guy, so I got on them most of the time. My favourite pair of Jordan’s that I like to wear are the Bred 4s. But right now, I’m rocking all white air 1s, my Jordan 1 travis highs, and I recently got these ‘lemon wash’ Nike SBs that’s just so hard. I play ball a lot too, so my feet also gotta look fly on the court - so I’m in the wolf grey Jordan 12 lows right now. That’s it right now, but I got a crazy closet though.

Are there any sneakers past or present that you wish you had and may have slept on?

I need those fragment 3s and the union 4s, have you fuc####g seen them?! But you know, I’m never lucky with getting sneakers though. Also, would have loved to get the Ben and Jerry dunks or the Grateful Dead dunks too! Man, either the yellow or green, I need it!

Thank you for your time, is there anything you would like to close out on?

Just wanna say thanks for reaching out man. I love talking about sneakers and music, so it’s been a pleasure. Also, to the people out there waiting on me, we’ve been through the storm, but now we’re about to reach the promised land. You’re about to see a lot more of me.