Interview: Shambhala stage director Hoola plays Revelstoke tonight

Hoola Hoop is the stage director for Shambhala Music Festival’s Living Room Stage. Hoola, along with a dedicated crew each year, book the artists, design the stage including sound, lighting and décor to make one of six stage at one of the coolest outdoor venues in B.C. come alive for five days on the Salmo River Ranch. Below, Hoola talks about the perks of the job and the highlights of the party.

https://soundcloud.com/shambhalamusicfestival/shambhala-live-007-lion-s

RM: How long have you been a part of Shambhala?

HH: 19 years

RM: Describe the vibe at the Living Room stage.

HH: It’s kind of the chillest and modest of all the stages at Shams. We have the smallest sound system and we still turn it down and it sounds great. Ambient-dub-funk-disco-chill-reggae-roots-world soundscapes, I guess.

RM: Have you started choosing your headliners and artist line-up? How do you choose? Do you stick with certain genres?

HH: With the price of headliners these days it didn’t take long to finish our headlining bookings. It did however take a few months of negotiating with the agents. I like to switch it up a lot with the genres. Last year we did more bass style and chill dubstep and this year we are going more disco funk but there is always some bass music of some sort.

RM: The stage has gone through quite an evolution over the years. Where do you get inspired for design and decor?

HH: Well as far as stage design, I leave it to my main artistic director Mich Duvernet. He has a new look almost every year and keeps it fresh by switching it up. My visuals guys do a great job with the look as well.

RM: There have been more art installations popping up around the Living Room zone in the last two years. Is that organized or renegade?

HH: Some are organized and some are renegade, I guess. One guy was hired to do the grove and the amp and he ended up wanting to paint at our stage.

RM: How do you circumnavigate or deal with the negative criticism that the festival sometimes gets for being a soup of irresponsibly used pharmaceuticals?

HH: Shambhala is a non-alcoholic and non-drug event.

RM: What’s your favourite part about being a part of festival culture?

HH: I think of Shambhala as more of a family reunion for me. I actually don’t go to many other festivals. I don’t like big crowds. Shambhala is almost getting too big now.

RM: More and more festivals are popping up in BC as EDM becomes more popular. Where do you see festival culture in 5 years?

HH: I actually hate the term EDM. As if electronic dance music is a new genre?! I never got that. It’s always been EDM just never called “EDM.” I think it will be more and more popular. It has taken over from rock and roll shows of the past. Bass is the new rock and roll.

Choose one:

RM: Digital or Analogue

HH: SERATO = both for the win! But analogue is my first true love.

RM: Glitter & Tutus or Feather and Leather.

HH: Oh, feathers and leathers all the way!

RM: SoundCloud or Beatport

HH: Both. And iTunes and Juno download. Wherever you got to go to get that track you couldn’t find.

RM: Thump or XLR8R

HH: Can I say both?

RM: Lasers or Shadow boxes

HH: Fricken’ laser beams!

RM: Winter or Summer

HH: Is this a trick question? I’m a Leo so august all year round no question.

Tonight (Saturday, February 14) Hoola, who is also a DJ in his own right, and Living Room headliner Leif play Dia Del Amor at the Taco Club. Tickets are $10 in advance at the Taco Club. Space is limited.