ToneGym Hero: Hugo Paris

Music producer and multi-instrumental with a passion for electronic music, currently residing in Los Angeles, California. Hugo Paris is this month's ToneGym Hero.

Who are you, and Where are you from?

My name is Hugo Paris. I was born in the South of France. I now live in LA, and I am a full-time musician. 

I release and perform under my birth name Hugo Paris. I also operate the mixing studio I own Tiny Crush Mixing during downtime. I contributed to Nobel Prize-winning project aLIGO, and I conceived and developed a cutting-edge musical instrument for 4ms Company (the Spherical Wavetable Navigator) which is used worldwide by the greats like the late Vangelis (who had two).

How did you get into music?

I have been making music for over 20 years. Sound has been a fascination for as long as I can remember. Music entered my life with a toy keyboard, which I received from my grandmother as a child. I wanted to emulate my uncle, who had a studio full of synthesizers. I was in awe of the otherworldly sounds he was creating from there.

The next shift happened when I started playing my first guitar at 15. It was a gift from my parents. It stayed dormant in its box until I had access to an amp. I plugged it in and instantly caught the bug - the rest is history...

What do you like to do for fun outside of working on music?

I live by the ocean in LA. Growing up by the sea, I very naturally lean towards oceanside activities. Anything active and fun, really. I am part of a beach volleyball league, slackline, run, rollerblade, bike,... and I do this very unique thing called Travelling Rings.

What's your most useless skill or talent?

Ha. I can pop my ears at will.

What inspires you to keep making music?

Conveying emotion is at the root of my work. I believe that meaningful works have the potential to connect us to the deepest parts of ourselves and that by doing so, we need much less of the materialistic things that tend to plague our existence, both individually and collectively.

If you could sit down to a session with any artist, who would it be?

Depeche Mode. Andy Fletcher left us unfortunately... Their bold creative choices and the breadth of narratives that can be experienced through their discography are true inspirations for me.

Any habits you have before starting a session?

I usually start by listening to references that are in line of what I am working on. I do both a SoundGym, and a ToneGym workout to warm my ears up.

What have you been working on lately?

A lot of my focus has been on my fourth album. It is my most ambient so far and in the vein of my latest single L'echo de Brumes (The Echo of the Fogs), which came out on Decoy Recordings:

If you could pick one, what would be the theme song of your life?

Peter Gabriel's - I have the touch - the lyrics really speak to me in how modernity only emphasizes our primal need for connection. 

If you haven't yet, you should definitely check out the making off of the album.

 

What's your favorite musical instrument?

Currently, the Novation Summit. Beautifully made, and very unique and expressive tones (I am big on that) 

I have an official artist patch bank for Summit/Peak - you can check it out here: 

What's your favorite ToneGym feature?

[C] to compare my answers. I checked whenever I was wrong or when I wasn't sure. That's where I get the most growth. I love how the workouts are adjusted automatically and the different skills targeted by the program.

What does the future hold for Hugo Paris?

My fourth solo album, supporting performances, some upcoming collaboration works, expanding my side (wellness) project Dream Cabin, pursuing bringing talented artists into my Mixing / Production Studio, and developing my Patreon creative/accountability group: Creative Crew.

 

You can follow more of Hugo's work on his Site, streaming platform, Youtube, and Instagram 

---