N8NOFACE creates music for punks, ravers and hip-hop heads alike—interview

May 9, 2022

As an artist, N8NOFACE keeps his artistic output diverse, with an ability to tackle multiple genres seamlessly. N8NOFACE, the Tucson-born artist Nathan Hose, cut his teeth in the punk circuit for several years, boasting a catalog of impressive releases ranging from black-clad synth-punk classics and hip-hop-inspired anthems to chaotic post-punk arrangements. While his sound is constantly shifting, N8NOFACE has no problem tying everything together with his distinct and direct lyrical approach coupled with his high-intensity stage presence. Whether you enjoy an industrial rave, a rowdy backyard punk show or an underground hip-hop rager, N8NOFACE will bring the party.

At the end of April, N8NOFACE released his highly anticipated new record, HOMICIDE. The album is a collection of his most aggressive music to date, coming on the heels of newfound sobriety. The future certainly looks bright for N8NOFACE, and whatever comes next will be a further continuation of the sonic foundation he has laid over the years.

From seeing your energy and approach to music, I feel like you bridge so many sonic gaps. What has the journey been like so far to get here?

Sonically, my journey started with hip-hop. I was living in Tucson, Arizona. I loved rap, but I also loved [Los Angeles punk group] Suicidal Tendencies. Living in Tucson, we were only exposed to what was on TV, so it was hard to find the underground of that era. However, that band in particular was my first introduction to punk music. As far as making music [goes], I bought an SP-1200 drum machine out of the back of a Source magazine because you couldn’t even buy one in my city.

Through the years, I made beats and secretly rapped, but didn’t show anyone because I didn’t have a musical crew. Later in life, I owned a hip-hop store selling records and graffiti supplies. Some of the kids that would come into the store would turn me onto indie and punk music. Though I didn’t have a band or people to play with, I just started making the music I liked using drum machines, samplers and synthesizers myself. I also love pop music and see art in it all. I love sprinkling a dope, catchy melody onto something hard. I want to get my art to as many people as I can but still sneak a message and something deep, with a catchy melody that hits you quick.

From being the sole writer of your project for all of these years, do you feel the urge now to start collaborating with other artists?

I’m really interested in collaborating with other artists. I look at a lot of my beats as just demo skeletons because I do not know musical theory, but I dream of working with a real producer who could really help me flesh out these songs with a bigger production. I really want to see what I would sound like with some more instrumentation and not just me making my crazy noise.

I saw that you posted a photo with the OGs Cypress Hill. It made me so happy to see people of this caliber discovering you and supporting you.

I’m really loving that I’m on people’s radar with stuff that I never thought would get me here. I’m really just doing this because I dig the frequency I’m on, I guess.

The messages in your songs are very relatable, with an element of reality that is not only poetic but also very direct and honest. Where does that come from?

I grew up with some very tough characters who chose a certain way of life, who did 10, 12 years in federal prison, but the people around me always let me be myself and not partake in that kind of stuff, and yet they still accepted me. I like the outlaw story, but I always want to tell it from my point of view. Growing up, I was the arty weird kid who was the black sheep of the crew and even my family, and that’s what my music is about — being different.

Who are some current artists that are really exciting to you?

My favorite artist right now is Eyedress — he’s amazing. This dude will do the grimiest rap beat to post-punk, to goddamn R&B. He blends these genres so seamlessly. I love that it doesn’t feel forced, and it inspires me to do what I want with my music. As an artist, you should tap into everything.

Who are some artists that have influenced you that no one would expect?

I love Buddy Holly. In fact, that was the first music I ever bought. I had young uncles and aunts, so when my mom would go out for the night, they would play me everything from Rush to Prince. I love the Time and melodies that Prince did, and I find myself wanting to try that but use a punk cadence.

Who made the jacket that you are wearing in this photo shoot?

Yeah, it’s super dope! I recently saw a picture of the rapper Fabolous wearing the same jacket. There are only 30 of them that were made. It was created by Jon Stan, and he killed it.

Your new record HOMICIDE is out now, and the music sounds like the next step into the future of your sound.

I signed a one-record deal with Blackhouse Records, and they hit me [up] as I was just about to drop my last album, Bound To Let You Down. I was getting clean around that time, so all of the songs on HOMICIDE were recorded around the same time I did the last record. This album is a little more on the angry side of that time getting sober. I really let loose, and the reason I called the record HOMICIDE is that I’m sober now and ready to kill and put aggressive music out. I just dropped a music video for my new single “On My Side,” and it came out really dope.

FOR FANS OF: Eyedress, Boy Harsher, Ho99o9

SONG RECOMMENDATION: “A Joy In Death”