You're probably thinking.... who are THE HASTINGS SET? Well the reason we wanted to post this Most Awesome interview is because they are huge contributers in Vancouver's most awesome music community. THE HASTINGS SET is a music company of a different kind.
Chin Injeti, who spearheaded the project, is a name you've most likely heard before in the Canadian music scene. The former member and founder of Juno, MuchMusic and Socan award winning group Bass is Base (you know... "Riding in my funkmobile...going to my soul shack") has moved from Toronto over to our side of the country and is determined to help our city's musical talents thrive in their creative endeavors.
Since moving on from Bass is Base, Chin has joined forces with Los Angeles' DJ Khalil (Aftermath Entertainment), and gone on to produce, remix and write for many artists including Dr. Dre, Nas, Busta Rhymes, The Clipse, Talib Kweli, Esthero, Hot Hot Heat, Bedouin Sound Clash and many more.
Along with his partners Aidan Wright and Jeff Herrera, they have created THE HASTINGS SET. The Set is more than a music production or management company, it is a movement that develops and nurtures talent by immersing its artists in the culture and community it is creating.
The group also throw kick-ass music events around the city, which initially started off as underground music industry parties. With impromptu performances from artists like Esthero and Moka Only, the parties got so popular that they grew into official club events and open stage jams.
Check out more from them here: thehastingsset.wordpress.com OR myspace.com/thehastingsset
What makes this city so awesome?
Jeff- Concrete close to nature. It’s a young city with many creative and talented people that are shaping this city’s scene. Everyone seems to get along and have respect for each other…at least those I’m around.
Aidan - It's diversity and the ability to get out to nature out your back door.
Chin - I love this city for everything it is but even more for what it's going to become !! Possibilties are endless
Favourite Vancouverite?
Jeff - All my friends and fam are my favorites but if one were to stand out I would say it’s Rhek. Always has the funniest and truest observations on things. Talented artist that runs his own shop Sharks & Hammers. Hard-working and he got our back. Also DJs Hedspin and Bles-sed (The first couple of DJing)…talented and passionate…fam that always got my back.
Aidan - Chris Haddock. I've learned a lot from him over the last year.
Chin - I would have to say Chris Haddock as well my mentor and guardian angel
Favourite new band out of Vancouver?
Jeff - Love & Electrik – not cause we work with them but there’s a reason why we do cause they’re dope. A “Back to the Future” sound…got Chin and DJ Khalil on co-production with Kevin and Roxy on vocals…I love em. Kev and Rox are also just straight up good peeps.
Although I can’t say they're “new” I would also say The Good News, Small Fame and Elizabeth.
Aidan - Love & Electrik. It's been fun watching them grow and hearing the sound come together. Can't wait for the world to hear it. Also loving Black Mountain and Small Fame.
Chin- my favourite new band without a doubt is LOVE AND ELECTRIK incredible!!!! THE THROWBACK IN A FORWARD THINKING WAY FOR THE 09!!!!
LOVE AND ELECTRIK
Favourite Vancouver band of all time?
Jeff- I’m not from here originally but much respect to Lover Boy. Technically not a Vancouver band but big ups to our boys Hot Hot Heat.
Aidan - Loverboy. They've been doing it for years and still rocking.
Chin - i wanted to say Lover Boy but all my answers have been the same as Aidan... oh what the hell LOVERBOY. Mike Reno is my friend and still kills it !!
What's the most awesome restaurant in Vancouver?
Jeff - Memphis Blues. MEAT! BBQ MEAT!
Aidan - I love food so it's hard to pick. Probably Cin Cin.
Chin - I am going to say CHAI.
Best place to be on a Saturday night?
Jeff - Random nights with friends bouncing around from places like Shine to the Biltmore to The Bayside. Throw-in a pre-game at a friends place and nice meal before that and it’s gonna be a good recipe for a good night.
Aidan - With friends or watching some Hockey Night in Canada.
Chin - SHINE is kinda dope the music is cutting edge and the vibe is thick.
HASTINGS SET DJS NINA MENDOZA, BLES-SED AND SHE
Best place to be on a Sunday morning?
Jeff - In bed minus a hangover. Brunch would be at Joe’s Grill and if I’m lucky maybe dim sum at a place like Pink Pearl.
Aidan - Having a big brunch on a patio.
Chin - Slickity Jim's
What projects are you working on right now?
Jeff - Love & Electrik
EP is being wrapped up with the first single coming out soon.
They’re playing on March 26 at The Modern during Junofest.
The Hastings Set…parties:
Class Of…@ The Modern
The Peep Show @ The Media Club
One-offs with The Biltmore
(we doing monthlies people….shameless plug…check out our FB group page)
BUILDING
…lots of people are doing great things right now and a few we’ll be collabing with in the near near future. Can’t wait!
Aidan - Working on Love & Electrik, The New Royales and Hastings Set events. Really exciting stuff that we want to get to people so they can hear what we've been hearing for the last while.
Chin - LOVE AND ELECTRIK THE NEW ROYALES DR DRE'S DETOX THE CLIPSE WITH KANYE WEST SAM ROBERTS NAS OMAR KHAN OH AND MY OWN SOLO RECORD!!!!!!!!!!
THE NEW ROYALES VIDEO SHOOT
Do you have a favorite song you've ever sang on/produced?
Jeff - I got a 90% singing some song on Rock Band…does this count?
Chin - I LOVE singing a song called SEPARATED on my record.
What's your favourite venue to watch shows in the city?
Jeff - Commodore, Richards and The Biltmore.
Aidan - Commodore, Centre for Performing Arts, Queen E
Chin - THE COMMODORE and THE BILTMORE
Do you have a memory of a favourite show you've been to here?
Jeff - Been to so many shows…Pemberton was pretty memorable for different reasons though. Big acts, friends DJing on the roster, major ordeals and adventure with getting around and finding a place to sleep. Oh yeah and the dust.
Talib Kweli, The Roots, TVOTR are always a favorite. Watching W.A.S.P. was pretty nuts. Air Supply not so nuts. Doves and Dinosaur Jr. were really LOUD. Jenny Lewis and Ray Lamontagne were not so loud. Neko Case was tender. Motley Crue were not so tender.
Aidan - A lot of shows to pick from. Some that come to mind are Lollapalooza 94 at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds, the lineup at that show was ridiculous. A few years of Warped Tour getting squeezed to death in the rush to see NOFX, that was crazy. Others would be Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Radiohead, Black Sabbath, and on and on.
Chin - FISHBONE AT A PUB AT UBC BEASTIES WITH A TRIBE CALLED QUEST AT THE PNE AND PEMBERTON WAS NEAT!!!!
DJ KHALIL, NAS AND CHIN
Favourite thing to do around the city during down time or not working on music?
Jeff - I pretty much do what I love …so I don’t have real downtime. Quiet times to myself watching Food Network and Sports Channels on the couch on a Sunday afternoon is pretty ideal. Walking around and visiting shops in Gastown. BBQ season is coming and being around the beach with friends is up there.
Aidan - I like to just walk around and pop into shops I haven't been in before, sample food, or just sit on a patio in the beautiful Vancouver summers.
Chin - SPANISH BANKS!!!!! booya.
