In the surge of Australian rising stars aiming for global success, Central Coast’s Hugo Basclain is quickly standing out with his smooth blend of R&B and emotional pop-rock, paired with a maturing songwriting style.
On “Right Now”, he sung with a mix of desire and resignation, and the emotive cut even made it onto the latest Scream film soundtrack alongside music from pop heavyweights Billie Eilish and Girl in Red.
Now chasing his music dream in Los Angeles, Rolling Stone AU/NZ caught up with Basclain in Sydney during a brief trip back to Australia. With a packed schedule, he was busy rehearsing for a show that night before heading straight back to LA to prep for his debut performance with artist Korean-Canadian singer-songwriter JUNNY.
It’s a fast-paced life, and there’s no time on this particular visit to see family and friends before his 16-hour flight – he’s all business this time round. But as Basclain tells it, that’s simply the cost of making it work in music – and he’s all in, especially after the battle he went through to sort out his visa.
His latest EP, freeway flowers, shows how far he’s come in just a couple of years – since moving to LA, he’s been working with new producers who’ve helped push his sound and confidence forward.
Basclain is now far beyond his days working at local café Salt Pig Deli (he still shouts it out as his favourite spot), where he once dreamed of being where he’s at now
Now, with a debut album, two EPs, and a growing list of highlights, Basclain is now gearing up for live shows. And there’s a lot more ahead.
Get to know Basclain better below, as he discusses his latest EP, life in LA, his songwriting goals, and much more.
Hugo Basclain’s freeway flowers EP is out now via Sony Music Australia.
Rolling Stone AU/NZ: You’ve been living in LA for a little while now, how’s that experience been?
Hugo Basclain: It’s been such a mix of things. It’s been amazing – I’ve learned so much, and I’ve gotten so much better at my craft. That’s totally worth it. But there are definitely times when it’s super lonely, and it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It can feel like you’re grinding just for the sake of grinding.
How long ago did you move over?
Two years. The first year was really tough, but now I’ve definitely hit my stride. The visa process was tough — it took eight months and was super expensive. It’s only a three-year visa, but it’s worth it.
Where have you been living?
In West Hollywood, right in the heart of it all
Have you met people over there that have influenced your music?
Yeah, definitely. Before I even moved, I did a session with this guy, Lukas Costas. He worked on some of my favourite tracks by Devin Kennedy and during the session, I realised I had a reference from Devin, and Lukas had worked on it. It was this weird connection. Lukas has become like a brother to me, and I’m so grateful for everything he’s done for my project.
Have you met other Australian artists in LA?
Yeah! It’s been wild. When I first moved, I never heard an Australian accent, but in the last eight months, everyone I meet, especially in music, is Australian. It’s been great to find that camaraderie.
Has living in LA impacted your music making?
When I think about it now, it’s insane. I was working in a café, Salt Pig Deli, on the Central Coast, feeling like I wasn’t doing enough. Now I’m doing music full-time, and it’s incredible to be able to focus solely on that.
How do you feel about living in LA?
Growing up on the Central Coast, I never felt like I was being my true self. But when I landed in LA, I felt like I could finally be me and do what I want. That’s been huge for my music, and it’s really inspiring.
I’m sure it’s hard being away from family and friends.
Yeah, it’s tough. I can’t just drive to see them. It’s a 16-hour flight back home.
Do you see yourself staying in LA longer?
I love being here — I feel like the best version of myself, especially with my music. Ideally, I’d split my time between LA and Australia — six months here, six months there.
How long have you been making music for?
I’ve been making music as long as I can remember, but I started taking it seriously after high school, around eighteen.
How do you compare freeway flowers to your debut EP?
It’s all about freedom and confidence to experiment. The first EP was about figuring things out, taking risks, and finding my sound. Now I feel like I can really push those boundaries.
Did you feel any pressure releasing your second EP?
Not really. It’s been such a long journey between writing and releasing, so by the time it came out, I was completely ready.
What was it like growing up on the Central Coast, what were your first memories of music?
I remember hearing my mum singing to us all the time, she’d sing us to sleep, stuff like that. I remember just loving it from that. She was super nervous actually, with her singing, but she was really great at it.
Were you comfortable singing in front of people early on?
Not at all. I think I got that from my mum. Singing’s such a personal thing, and it can be hard to let people in. That’s something I’ve been learning – to be more open and let people watch me perform.
What was your entry into music?
I’ve played guitar since I was super young, and I always liked singing, but it was more of a party trick. I’ve always loved it, though, and now I have the confidence to really go after it.
What are your goals with songwriting?
Writing with purpose is huge for me. Early on it’s tough because you’re always working with new people and it’s hard to open up. But now I’ve found my people – I can be open and talk about anything with them, and they’ve become some of my best friends.
How would you describe your sound?
Pop and R&B are my main influences. They’re what I grew up on and what I love. My sound is always evolving with every release.
With so many artists in LA, how do you avoid getting lost in the crowd?
I think a lot of people focus on writing what’s trendy. For me, music is personal. It’s about being open and digging deeper into who you are. That’s how you stand out.
Do you feel like you achieved that on your new EP?
Yeah, I definitely feel like I did. There’s always room for improvement, but I’m really proud of what I made.
What were some themes or feelings you wanted to express on the EP?
I’ve been dealing with anxiety and depression for a while, and that’s something I’ve been trying to express more in my music. It’s hard to talk about, but I think being real and vulnerable is the way to connect with people.
Have you been playing shows in LA?
I haven’t yet, but I’ve got my first shows coming up, which is exciting. I’ve got an acoustic set in Sydney at Jolene’s, and then I’m heading back to LA to rehearse for my show with JUNNY.
How did the JUNNY collaboration come about?
We’ve been talking for a while about working together. We tried to get a collab out, but it just didn’t work out. He’s a big fan of what I’m doing and invited me to join him for his LA show.
How do you feel about performing live?
I’m feeling good. I’m more confident now. We’ve taken our time with the live shows, and now I feel ready.
What’s been a career highlight so far?
My song being chosen for the Scream film soundtrack was definitely a huge moment for me.
How did that happen?
I wrote the song in LA, didn’t hear anything for over a year, and then I got a message saying they wanted to use it. It was one of those surreal moments.
What are your goals for the future?
I’m diving into a new project and focusing on releasing new music consistently. There’s a lot more to come.
