Brian Leeds (Huerco S.)

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Brian Leeds (a.k.a. Huerco S.)

American producer Brian Leeds is a man of many pseudonyms. Under his best-known alias, Huerco S., Leeds has crafted an experimental electronic and ambient sound, a unique combination formed from the influence of several distinct genres. Pitchfork has listed his 2016 album “For Those of You Who Have Never (And Also Those Who Have)” as one of their 50 best ambient albums of all time and in the top 200 albums of the 2010s. We were thrilled to learn that Brian has done it all using FL Studio, and we’re pleased to welcome him as a Power User.

Huerco S. – Plonk IX (feat. SIR E.U)

Tell us about yourself and how you got into music.

My name is Brian Leeds and I make music primarily as Huerco S., but I also make music as Loidis, and Pendant. I’ve always been fascinated with music since I could remember, but it wasn’t until high school that I began making music in bands and then electronic music. Friendship and collaborations have had a substantial impact on me and my music and it’s from this that I truly started to become involved in and produce electronic music.

How did you start using FL Studio & what does it mean to your productions?

I started using FL Studio while active in bands as a teenager and it offered a way to create while I was alone. FL Studio really opened me up to a new world of possibilities. I take pride in the fact I’ve used FL Studio since 2008 — while other DAW’s exist, nothing ever felt as immediate and natural as FL Studio. It’s allowed me to develop my own sonic language.

Huerco S. – Those Of You Who Have Never (And Also Those Who Have)

Tell us about your work and some of the artists you have worked with.

The Huerco S. project focuses on Ambient music with multitudes of influences spanning Dub Techno, IDM, House/Micro House, Rap, Post-Rock, & musique concrète. I run a record label called West Mineral and have released such artists as Ulla, Pontiac Streator, Ben Bondy, & Exael. While producing music of my own I’ve released on labels such as Oneohtrix Point Never’s now defunct, Software, as well as doing remix work for Nathan Fake, Carmen Villain, Kom-Om-Pax, CFCF, Blondes, and many others.

Tell us about your production environment and the gear you use.

I’ve always just worked mainly in my bedroom with a laptop and either monitors or in headphones. Keeping things simple is my goal and helps streamline the process.

Pendant (a.k.a. Huerco S.) – Make Me Know You Sweet

What is your top FL Studio tip for up-and-coming producers?

Don’t be afraid to fail and experiment, as well as look for inspiration from a wide range of things, not just the music you’re currently trying to make. For me personally I think it’s more important to have a strong sonic identity through texture/rhythmic elements, etc., than to focus too much on making things sound “perfect” in terms of fidelity.