Get to Know: Hugo Bladel
It can be difficult to fully let go and surrender your mind and body over to your feelings, even just for a while. Sometimes, you might need a little help to let go, and we find there's no better aid for this than a thumping bass line, smoky vocals and funky synths. One such song is the new single from HUGO BLADEL called 'Feel The Love'. Taking influence from the likes of JUNGLE or even SAFIA, Melbourne-via-Hobart Bladel delivers a feel-good jam that is sure to heat you up this winter and for months to come.
Ahead of two very special shows this month to celebrate his new single, we decided to get to know Bladel a little more. Having already played the Marion Bay Falls Festival as well as Party In The Paddock, not to mention the fact that he was a recipient of the Nick Balacombe Foundation Grant which has enabled him to record at Hobart's Red Planet Recording Studios, there's hopefully plenty more where this came from!
Plug into the latest music with our FREE weekly newsletter
Who are you?
I am a 24 yr old singer-songwriter, producer and entertainer from Hobart, Tasmania.
How did Hugo Bladel, the artist, come to be?
I was forced to learn an instrument when I was a kid - mum and dad said I could choose what it was that I learnt, bought me the instrument of choice and paid for lessons. At the time I wasn’t too keen on it but now I am forever grateful. I play Keys, Bass, Guitar and percussion and I play all of these instruments on my own tracks. I was also encouraged by my mother (a professional actor) to study theatre improvisation and that helped me with my confidence through my teens.
I first started singing when I was about 17 after setting up outside the cafe that I worked at with a bucket from the kitchen and my acoustic guitar. I bought a harmonica and would play Bob Dylan songs after i’d finished my shift, until one day I made more money busking in an hour than I had from my whole shift at the cafe. This was when I realised that music was really for me.
After dreaming of becoming a pro soccer player and leaving school early in grade 10 to pursue it, I realised that my music and skills as a performer were better suited to my personality than that of a sportsperson. I loved to develop physical skills, so I auditioned at a the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) in Melbourne and went on to train in acrobatics, juggling and clown. I graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Circus Arts and the skills I gained from my circus degree have helped me to become a well-rounded entertainer.
What are we talking, vibes-wise?
My music is a combination of Hip-Hop, Soul and Disco.
Tell us a bit about your new single, ‘Feel The Love’
‘Feel the Love’ leans more towards the disco side of my repertoire and came about after working at my home studio in Melbourne with my older brother (Max Bladel) and a local guitarist that I played in a duo with during my residency at Crown Casino (Lewis Toms). It all happened very fast - I layed down some chords and then Max started to build a bass line which we refined and then brought Lewis in to Jam over the top and that is where we found the main guitar hook. I then took the stems down to Hobart to work with my producer (KOWL) and we put together the song structure and I wrote the lyrics before recording the vocals in at Red Planet Studios.
The song is about letting yourself become immersed in a feeling and not complicating things by overthinking.
What can we expect from you moving forward?
I am currently working on 5 songs for an EP which I will be releasing before the end of the year.
Where can we hear more of your work?
I currently have 2 singles up on all platforms - my first single ‘Both Ways’ was released a few months ago and features me playing guitar, rapping throughout the verses and then singing with more of a soul-vibe in the chorus.
HUGO BLADEL ‘FEEL THE LOVE’ TOUR DATES
July 4th The Workers Club MELBOURNE
with House of Wood, Tanya George
July 7th Republic Bar HOBART
with House of Wood, Jay Jarome
SEE ALSO
More From Our Network
