Hektor Mass: ‘Echoes’, Las Vegas residencies and more [Interview]

“I hope ‘Echoes’ can evoke various emotions in anyone who listens to it, whether it’s the urge to dance or even to cry,” says Hektor.

Firstly, congratulations on the release of your new single ‘Echoes’. Can you tell us about the story behind this track and its creation process?

“Thanks so much! The initial idea for ‘Echoes’ came to life when ILVS (the co-producer and the other artist on the song) shared the hook idea with me. I instantly fell in love with it. We worked hard to improve the sound, focusing on creating emotional chords and a powerful bassline for the drop. Once the production was complete, I reached out to Linney because I knew her voice would be perfect for the track, and she absolutely nailed it. The collaboration exceeded our expectations, resulting in a truly captivating song.”

Why did you decide to collaborate with Linney and ILVS and how do you think they elevated the track in their own ways?

“Collaborating with ILVS was an easy choice because we have a strong creative synergy and we’re constantly bouncing ideas off each other. As for Linney, her impressive track record of collaborating with top DJs and producers made her the perfect fit for ‘Echoes.’ I had no doubt she would bring a unique energy and elevate the track with her exceptional talent.”

When fans listen to the new single, what emotions do you want them to feel, or what would you like them to take away from it?

“I hope ‘Echoes’ can evoke various emotions in anyone who listens to it, whether it’s the urge to dance or even to cry. I want the song to make people feel something.”

Going back to the beginning, how did you first find out you wanted to become a DJ and producer?

“I discovered my passion for dance music when I was eight years old, so I started playing around with a program called Virtual DJ for fun. At 15, I got my first CDJ and mixer and began DJing at friends’ parties. Seeing David Guetta open for the Black Eyed Peas in 2010 was a defining moment; it made me realize I wanted to pursue DJing seriously. I had to give up soccer to focus on my DJ career. In 2016, I released my first single, and since then, I’ve been touring worldwide, and playing at festivals and clubs that I used to dream about.”

What sort of challenges did you overcome in your quest to pursue a career in music?

“Giving up my soccer career to pursue DJing was a tough decision because I’ve been passionate about soccer since I was born. Then there was the challenge of learning music production. Nowadays, just being a good DJ isn’t enough; you need amazing tracks too. But in Spain, finding English lyrics is tough since most songs are in Spanish. That’s why I packed up and headed to Los Angeles, where I knew I could really develop my skills and collaborate with top talent.”

You’ve also had multiple DJ residencies, including in Las Vegas. Can you tell us how these came about and what have been the best memories whilst playing at these shows?

“My DJ journey kicked off with a residency at Opium in Barcelona. Those early days were crucial for honing my skills and learning to read the crowd. Opening for the best DJs in the world like Kaskade, Armin Van Buuren, and Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike was like attending a masterclass in DJing. After four years in Barcelona, I felt ready to spread my wings and take my music to new cities. So, I hit the road, networking across the US and hustling for opportunities. It took a lot of work and persistence, but eventually, Vegas came calling, and I was offered a residency. Playing in Vegas has been a dream come true, filled with unforgettable moments and experiences that have shaped me as an artist. Building strong relationships and networking has really helped me to get further in my career than I ever thought possible.”

Following ‘Echoes’, what else is on the horizon for Hektor Mass in terms of new music?

“In this industry, there’s no time to rest. I’m constantly in the studio, collaborating with other artists and working on new music. Lately, I’ve been focusing on remixes to incorporate more original content into my sets. My ultimate goal is to have a full set filled with my own original music, and I’m dedicated to making that happen. Fans can expect plenty of fresh tracks and exciting releases in the pipeline.”

What about shows and other upcoming projects that you may be able to tell us about? 

“Being on tour is one of my favorite things and that’s why I became a DJ. This year I’ll be touring in the US and Spain as usual, but what’s really exciting is that my team and I are pushing to break into new markets and perform in countries I’ve never explored before. I also have a few exciting collabs coming out that I can’t talk about quite yet…”

‘Echoes’ by Hektor Mass, ILVS and Linney is out now, and you can stream it below.