Holger Honda

Holger Honda -- Sweden's best export since pornography. Holger Honda cranks out electronic music that isn’t cheesy, thumpy or well, sucky.

Holger Honda -- Sweden's best export since pornography. Holger Honda cranks out electronic music that isn’t cheesy, thumpy or well, sucky.

Holger Honda is the alias for Swedish born California resident Hjalmar Hake. Born 1973 in Gothenburg. Holger Honda makes electronic music and has been playing live as well as DJ-ing in Sweden and California, since the early nineties.

He has material released on Waveform records and his works are widely circulated on streaming internet radio. Honda was part of the Swedish experimental electronic group The Rotten Beak in the 1990’s.

In his own words: "My songs are highly reflective of the way I work. I have found a way that makes electronic music the way I like it. Its crude and stiff but still incorporates much movement and sonic flexibility. I used to be a chill DJ. But now I spend too much time on my own music to have time greasing promoters and clubs. Electronic music today is much about who you are and who you know, rather than what the music sounds like. I grew tired of that whole scene. Started to throw my own parties and arranging my own clubs and making my own music."

Hondas music is a multifaceted journey in classic ambient dub style. The songs span from very laidback and dubby pieces to more upbeat techno with a well-seated groove always present. It is all performed live on a modest rig of samplers and synthesizers right there in front of the audience. A near endless stream of chirps and bleeps and a few lost sounds in the mix leaves the listener with a fresh taste of electronica. His sound has been described like dark and trancey, sizzling from within.

Hondas influences is said to be spanning from Krautrock to Yello, still with a solid leg in the minimalist techno camp. These are diverse influences indeed and the music bears witness and leaves a personal and original impression. What you hear is what you get.