Hotboxx Gives an Inside Look: The Making of ‘Saxxy’ and His Future Plans

by Alicia Cruz October 7, 2024

Hotboxx, the talented DJ and Producer known for his signature blend of House, Tech House, and Techno, continues to make waves across the Electronic Music scene with his innovative productions and dynamic collaborations. His latest release, ‘Saxxy,’ created in partnership with Vangeaux, encapsulates the vibrant, genre-blending style that has become synonymous with his name whilst putting forward refreshing energy with its groovy basslines and distinct details.

In this exclusive interview, Hotboxx takes us behind the scenes of the creation process for ‘Saxxy,’ diving into how the collaboration came to life and what fans can expect next on his horizon.

Hi Hotboxx, how’s it going?

Doing well, thanks for asking!

To start, can you tell us about the initial goals and ideas behind your latest release ‘Saxxy’?

This was the first time I collaborated with Vangeaux, but the session went really smoothly. He’s an extremely talented, classically trained Jazz musician, so when he played that sax riff—which, by the way, was his first take—my brain immediately started working, and I began laying out the track. That smooth and sexy sax sound inspired the name and set the tone for the entire session, making it all come together seamlessly.

How did the collaboration between you and Vangeaux come about for ‘Saxxy’? Can you share any memorable moments from your time working together?

I’ve been working between Miami and Nashville for a while now, and Jake (Vangeaux) was someone I met through the scene here in Nashville. As soon as we talked, I knew a collab would be a great move—we shared similar goals and a complementary sound. Knowing his background as a Berklee sax graduate, I was sure the session would be awesome, and it definitely was.

You’re known for blending various genres like House, Techno, and Tech House in your productions. How did you and Vangeaux manage to merge your distinct styles in ‘Saxxy’ to create a cohesive and soulful track?

This track definitely has a mix of Minimal House and Tech House. That genre-blending approach is just how I produce—it’s second nature at this point. Vangeaux is also very open to exploring different styles and listens to a wide range of music, so it was easy for us to have a cohesive session and create something groovy while staying true to our sound.

‘Saxxy’ features an eclectic mix of sounds, including expressive horn lines and jazzy motifs. What inspired the choice of these elements, and what was the process for creating the various melodic details?

The sax melody was all Vangeaux. Once that melody was in place, it was easy to build the rest of the track. We made the entire track in one session, and the sax made that possible. It was easy to improvise and layer the other elements and build-ups. I really enjoyed working on this one.

Can you dive deeper into the sound design of ‘Saxxy’? How did you create the unique textures and layers that define the track?

Everything in this track was played live. Vangeaux played the sax, and his first take was amazing. We took some clips, laid down a basic 909 kick, added some percussive elements to keep it groovy, and played out the keys and bassline live as well. It’s a fully original track, and we’re proud of how we both got to showcase our abilities.

How do you envision translating ‘Saxxy’ into a live DJ set? Are there any particular elements you’re excited to showcase on stage?

I don’t plan my sets out; I go with the moment. ‘Saxxy’ has that driving bassline that fits well into higher-energy, peak-time sets, but the sax gives it a sexy, jazzy vibe that works perfectly in downtempo or lounge sets too. It’s a versatile track, so I play it whenever it feels right—it works for any venue or moment.

‘Saxxy’ has a rich, evolving sound. How did the track develop from its initial concept to the final version? Were there any significant changes along the way?

Not really—this session flowed very smoothly, and we finished the track in about 3 to 4 hours. Everything was sounding good right from the start, so we stuck to our original concepts and built it out without any major changes.

What production techniques or tools did you use in ‘Saxxy’? Did you experiment with any new equipment or processes?

Nothing new, really. The collaboration with Vangeaux brought in that original sax element, which gave us a big boost. Usually, I would have had to sample or play it on a keyboard, and it wouldn’t have sounded the same. Having him play live made my usual process quicker and easier.

Now that ‘Saxxy’ has been released, what’s next for Hotboxx? Do you have any more collaborations or releases lined up?

Absolutely! There’s a lot on the horizon. I’ve got a release with another amazing Nashville producer, Stallings, coming out in October on 303 Lovers’ sister label, as well as a track with my boy Unkwnet on Salted Records that includes a remix by Chillin’ Williams. I’ll also be releasing a free remix in the coming months, and an EP with House of Huemans, including a remix by Pezlo MD, is dropping in early November. There are also releases with House of Hustle and Tech Ave (dates TBD), plus tons of shows, including support for Sosa and some other big opportunities. Lots of exciting stuff to close out the year, and 2025 is going to be even bigger and better—I can’t wait for it all!

As our interview comes to a close, it is clear that Hotboxx’s passion for pushing creative boundaries remains strong, with his collaboration with Vangeaux on ‘Saxxy’ coming as just another example of how he continues to blend genres and explore new musical territories. So, with more exciting collaborations and releases lined up, Hotboxx remains a talent to watch closely, keeping him on your radar by following him across social media today.

Listen and Buy ‘Saxxy’ Now:   