Hermitude

Great Escape: Field Notes — Aussie beats duo Hermitude show how electronic music should be played live.

If you can pack a venue on a rainy Monday night in East London, you must be doing something right. While many electronic artists struggle to translate their studio productions into exciting performances, Hermitude’s live set is extraordinary. But, as the Sydney-based beats duo take the stage at Shoreditch’s XOYO, there’s definitely an air of the ridiculous about them.

El Gusto and Luke Dubs look like the Beastie Boys after raiding PC World, with a bulky MPC sampler and a Micro Korg strapped around their necks like oversized novelty medallions. After the pair come to the front of the stage, talking to the audience and playing from their neck-mounted instruments, within minutes the crowd is totally hyped. Launching into the first full track, they retreat behind the mixing table, frenetically jumping between samplers, keyboards and turntables, while a live feed of their mixing is projected against the back of the stage behind them.

“We try and play as much live as possible because we came from playing in bands and we never wanted to just DJ or stand behind a laptop,” says Angus Stuart (aka El Gusto). “We started mucking around with turntables and keyboards, and that’s pretty much how we run the show now, which is kind of funny.”

Angus and Luke Dubber (aka Luke Dubs) started playing music together 20 years ago after meeting in the school band as teenagers. They played together in a succession of different bands, including soul groove outfit Funk Injections, before getting deeper and deeper into hip hop. Hermitude eventually came to life in 2000 after Angus picked up a pair of decks in Nashville on a trip to the US.

“It’s like the most unlikely place to get turntables,” says Luke, who then puts on a country accent: “Yeah I got ma’ decks in Nashville,” and they both burst into laughter.

When he regains composure, Angus adds, “That was the start of Hermitude really, just two mates making beats, having fun.”

Over time Hermitude’s output has gradually evolved from trip hop to a more varied and less easily categorised sound, much closer to bass music than hip hop. The latest album HyperParadise won a phenomenal reception and opened up a host of opportunities worldwide. After putting out a succession of solid records, how did it feel for one suddenly to go stratospheric?

“It’s reassuring, reaffirming that you’re on the right path,” says Angus. “People like what you’re doing and you’re ready to go.”

But where did this monster of a record come from? After nearly two decades of working closely with one another, the pair decided to take a break and spent a year travelling and touring with other artists.

“I remember reading in an interview: the time apart is just as important as the time spent together,” says Luke. “We’d both been working on ideas and played them to each other. When we came back together we just had heaps of fire in the belly, you know?”

We sat down to chat with Hermitude at the Great Escape Festival in Brighton, but caught them playing in Shoreditch.

If you’re in Berlin, you can see them live on Wednesday, May 14 at Cassiopeia.


You might like

Smiling people enjoying a night out, one person wearing a red hat and jacket.
Music

Huck teams up with Eastern Margins for a special SXSW London showcase

From Shibuya to Shoreditch — Taking place at Village Underground on Monday, performances will come from MONO, Nina Utashiro, Ena Mori, Jianbo, LVRA & Soda Plains.

Written by: Isaac Muk

A person in a grey jacket stands against a mountainous, foggy landscape. The image has the text "huck presents Analogue Application" overlaid in yellow and green.
Music

Analogue Appreciation: Shura

I Got Too Sad For My Friends — In an ever more digital, online world, we ask our favourite artists about their most cherished pieces of physical culture. Today, it’s English singer-songwriter Shura.

Written by: Shura

Cello player and bearded man seated with text 'Spaces Between the Beats' in the background.
Music

After Assad’s fall, Syria’s musicians rebuild from the rubble

Spaces Between the Beats — Following decades of dictatorship and 14 years of civil war, the country’s classical and creative scenes have an opportunity to build from scratch. Andrei Popviciu speaks to the people hoping for a flourishing new era of art and sound.

Written by: Andrei Popoviciu

A group of people sitting around a campfire in a dark forest, with trees and flowers in the background illuminated by the fire's glow.
© Angelina Nikolayeva
Music

At Belgium’s Horst, electronic music, skate and community collide

More than a festival — With art exhibitions, youth projects and a brand new skatepark, the Vilvoorde-Brussels weekender is demonstrating how music events can have an impact all year round.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Elaborate theatrical performance on stage with dancers in red costumes and dramatic lighting.
Music

Block9 reveals its Glastonbury Festival 2025 plans

Party and protest — The nightlife hub will feature a bigger-than-ever Saturday daytime block party across The NYC Downlow and Genosys, and a huge collaboration with artist-activist group Led By Donkeys.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Music

Jack Johnson

Letting It All Out — Jack Johnson’s latest record, Sleep Through The Static, is more powerful and thought provoking than his entire back catalogue put together. At its core, two themes stand out: war and the environment. HUCK pays a visit to Jack’s solar-powered Casa Verde, in Los Angeles, to speak about his new album, climate change, politics, family and the beauty of doing things your own way.

Written by: Tim Donnelly

Huck is supported by our readers, subscribers and Club Huck members. It is also made possible by sponsorship from:

Signup to our newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter to informed with the cutting edge of sport, music and counterculture, featuring personal takes on the state of media and pop culture from Emma Garland, former Digital Editor of Huck, exclusive interviews, recommendations and more.

Please wait...

Accessibility Settings

Text

Applies the Open Dyslexic font, designed to improve readability for individuals with dyslexia.

Applies a more readable font throughout the website, improving readability.

Underlines links throughout the website, making them easier to distinguish.

Adjusts the font size for improved readability.

Visuals

Reduces animations and disables autoplaying videos across the website, reducing distractions and improving focus.

Reduces the colour saturation throughout the website to create a more soothing visual experience.

Increases the contrast of elements on the website, making text and interface elements easier to distinguish.