Ben Hauke - Club Cute (Album)
Picture Credit: Joe Magowan
South London producer and musician, Ben Hauke, proudly announces the release of his debut album, ‘CLUB CUTE’, on the innovative Touching Bass label, helmed by Errol and Alex Rita. To celebrate, an album launch party will be held at Peckham Audio, featuring performances by Brother Portrait, Goya Gumbani, Katy B, and Touching Bass Selectas.
Ben Hauke's album follows the successful release of singles ‘MOOOOOD’, ‘HEYYYYY’, and ‘IS STILL’ featuring Jadasea, which have garnered praise from prominent outlets including Clash, Line of Best Fit, Crack, and Mixmag. Hauke has established himself as a pioneer in the electronic music scene over the past decade, blending deep house, UK garage, and techno influences. His collaborations with artists such as Goya Gumbani, Katy B, Shy One, Brother Portrait, and Jadasea highlight his skill in merging diverse musical elements into a unified, electrifying experience. ‘CLUB CUTE’ promises to transcend genres with its rich, pulsating rhythms and kaleidoscopic sound palette.
Rooted in Lewisham and influenced by his time at the BRIT School and his own label, Woop Records, Hauke continues to push the boundaries of sound, solidifying his reputation as a trailblazer in the industry. As anticipation for ‘CLUB CUTE’ builds, Ben Hauke emerges as a dynamic and fearless creative force, driven by a passion for sonic exploration.
Ben Hauke’s music has always carried a coiled electricity, with a relentless intensity cutting through his production since his first release. Over the past decade, his genre-spanning EPs have made it difficult to pin down his sound. His debut album, ‘CLUB CUTE’, is a culmination of his musical experimentation, released on the future-facing Touching Bass label.
The 12 tracks on ‘CLUB CUTE’ are underpinned by propulsive rhythms and melodies that bounce with a drunken bravado, perfect for the smoky dance floors Hauke has frequented over the past decade. The album takes listeners on a seamless journey through UK garage, bass, house, four-to-the-floor techno, old-school hip-hop, and UK Funky, all masterfully woven together with moments of tranquillity and ecstasy. Featuring contributions from Goya Gumbani, Shy One, Jadasea, Katy B, and others, the album pays homage to the dance floor, where Hauke’s fully realized visions come to life.
“It felt like I had been experimenting up to this point,” the 32-year-old says. “Now, it feels like I’ve got a superpower where I can decide to do something and just hone in on it. Working with different people has shown me how versatile I can be as a producer, opening doors to new worlds.”
Standout tracks like ‘Made to Measure’ showcase Katy B’s soaring vocals over infectious production, while ‘Like That’ and ‘Moooood’ are dance-floor-ready tunes. ‘Another Ghost’ and ‘WIVWIV’ highlight Hauke’s production range, and ‘Is Still’, featuring Jadasea, wraps the album with effortless bars over a slinky synth.
Hauke’s relentless drive to push himself stems from his musical upbringing in Lewisham, where his father’s bass playing and his brothers’ musical talents inspired him. After experimenting with his father’s equipment, Hauke fell in love with drums and joined indie bands before enrolling at the prestigious BRIT School. There, he immersed himself in hip-hop and rap, learning to produce with an MPC, which remains a core instrument in his production.
Early beat tapes garnered attention, but Hauke soon sought new challenges. Inspired by artists like Theo Parrish, Moodyman, and Kyle Hall, he founded Woop Records to explore electronic music production. Over the next decade, he became known as a producer’s producer, with his tenacious beats resonating with those in the know.
Hauke approaches each live set as a unique experience, constantly refreshing his sets to ensure they remain fresh. This approach extends to his production, where he creates new dubs for each gig. He aims to develop live shows as a unique experience, incorporating elements like a Roland hand drum to enhance the performance.
With ‘CLUB CUTE’ ready for release, Hauke is excited about future projects. “This album has made me want to do another one, but I’m thinking about how to approach it differently next time,” he says. Hauke leans into his strength of making music, dissecting tunes he loves rather than sourcing similar ones, epitomized in the genre-cutting brilliance of ‘CLUB CUTE’.