Electronic dance music producer, designer, and artist OVERWERK, aka Edmond Huszar, recently released his captivating new EP, MORE. A collection of five polished tracks, each track on MORE is supported by a visually striking, breathtaking video comprising finely detailed, intricate sculptures. Played in order, the songs and videos relate to a profoundly mysterious and compelling story.
The titles of the songs on MORE tell a story when viewed in order: “US,” “APART,” “OF,” “SOMETHING,” “MORE” – US APART OF SOMETHING MORE. Each song takes a vocal sample of the title and builds it into the layers of music, so by the time you reach the final/title track, “MORE,” the pitched vocals reveal the complete answer to the “riddle.”
Before MORE, OVERWERK released equally groundbreaking projects, notably “ORIGIN,” which incorporated digital sculpture as well as hand-crafted acrylic-resin sculpture, and the 22-minute opus “VIRTUE,” released in 2019. Hundreds of brands have licensed his past compositions and projects, including Prada, Vogue, BMW, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, and Comme des Garçons.
XS Noize spoke with OVERWERK to discover the inspiration for MORE, how he got into digital sculpting, and what he wants listeners to feel when hearing his music.
What three things can’t you live without?
The challenges of life, a healthy body, and a balanced mind.
First, let me say that MORE is excellent, a grand work of art. What inspired it?
Thank you. I have a lovely Discord community that we call the NETWERK. Ego Son is a top-tier member sharing some interesting music and ideas. The ‘MORE’ EP started with our collaboration on ‘US.’ The song inspired the artwork concept, which kept evolving into a larger story.
The narrative nexus of the videos perfectly complements the music. Did the concept of unifying the music with the visuals arrive all at once, or did it emerge in stages?
As that larger story developed, I started envisioning the artwork to complement the sound. As I created each song, the overarching theme of the music and sculptures began to take shape simultaneously.
How did you get into and refine your skills in digital sculpting/digital art?
I have always immersed myself in art, exploring every medium available. As 3D tools became more accessible, I developed a strong interest in adding them to my repertoire. I have experience in traditional sculpting, ceramics, and digital art. Many of those techniques have been applied, but it also has been over a decade of practice.
How did you get started in music?
Similar to the 3D sculpture work, it evolved from other artistic practices. Growing up, I became familiar with video editing and used Adobe products regularly. This computer workflow provided a good foundation once I started experimenting with music, editing, remixing, and eventually producing my own songs.
Which musicians/singers influenced you?
Over the past few years, I’ve been especially influenced by my good friend, Black Atlass. Together, we’ve produced and conceptualized so many songs. His talent and creative process has shaped my own approach to creativity.
What would you say if you had to explain your sound and style to the uninitiated?
I would describe my sound and style as sometimes dancey, sometimes hype and sometimes chill… but always thoughtful and emotionally moving. I aim to describe a moment with each song or at least create some vibe that emotionally resonates with the listener.
Did your sound evolve naturally, or did you deliberately push it in a certain direction?
As I’ve progressed in my career, my sound has definitely evolved. When I started the OVERWERK project, I knew very little from a technical perspective. At the time, I was simply aiming for some electro sound that I could DJ at events. This sound was a reflection of my environment. However, as time has passed, my music has become more reflective of my life experiences and the variety of emotions that come with it.
What can you share about your writing process?
My process is always changing… I work on such a wide variety of art. Each experience in whatever medium, as well as my own personal life, constantly feeds back into my music. I would say I’m a cerebral person, so it would seem a lot of ‘thought’ and consideration goes into my writing.
Which artists, in your opinion, are killing it right now?
In the music world, Röyksopp has been pumping out a wide variety of amazing songs lately. There is also something about the French… Apashe, French 79, Thylacine, Toxic Avenger, Worakls, Polo & Pan. In the art world… select any person I follow on Instagram, and you’ll find a fantastic artist.
How do you define success?
To be driven from an honest, ingenuous, and authentic place. When you are true to yourself, follow your calling or work from a place of love, your achievements will enrich your life and those who get to experience it.
What do you want listeners to take away from your music?
It’s interesting you mention ‘take away’ because this is what I want the listener to feel: ‘something.’ I want the listener to gain something from the experience, like a better mood, a smile, or some encouragement and satisfaction. The world we live in now offers an endless stream of content, so I want to make sure what I offer the void is valuable and creates an experience for the audience.
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