Heidi Massin:
ELECTRIFYING HOUSTON WITH HER OWN BRAND OF MUSIC… HEIDI MASSIN:
by Ami Blackwell
W
ith the latest phase of electronic dance music (EDM) taking over the mainstream American music scene, Houston’s own Heidi Massin is coming into her own. Massin is a bundle of energy… a fitting attribute for an EDM artist who also works in the energy sector. She's outgoing, warm and filled with the light and love needed to nurture her family, her business and her art. A self-proclaimed “ecopreneur” Massin has a heart for her city and the environment and EDM music resonates at her core. “As the home of NASA, we are a city that thrives on innovation and that’s what this genre is all about,” said Massin. Massin is the founder of the first and only “eco-friendly” record label in Texas. Her company, Massin Media Productions, LLC, operates 1.1 Digital Recordings and its aptly named website, www.goodearthmusic. com. Her vision is to create and distribute "green" projects that leave a minimal carbon footprint. In this way Massin flies solo to bring recognition to the EDM genre while her projects benefit social causes. "If I make an impact on the environment and my 'green' projects make a difference for people, then several of the company’s goals will be met.” In the fall Massin released the single, "Believe In Love" which she executive produced under the name DJ Electrifyd (Massin's EDM persona.) The song features vocalist Kassie Crawford, who co-wrote the number with W.P. Middleton. Middleton has worked with Beyoncé, Destiny's Child, Boy George and George Clinton, to name a few. Designed to touch the soul, Massin recorded "Believe In Love" with a goal to parallel the song's rhythm to the sound of a heartbeat. Beginning with the drums, the music intensifies with rapid, energetic tempos throughout. "'Believe In Love' was created to inspire and spread joy," said Massin. "It's been a true labor of love and it is my hope that its music and message will elicit the same wonderful feelings as love does." Massin's compositions are like moody and beautiful electronic storms which originate from her musical, theatrical childhood. Trained in classical and contemporary piano at the age of eight, Massin enjoyed Mozart, Beethoven and Bach. Growing up behind-the-scenes in the theatre world, music was always a part of her life. Massin traces her love of EDM back to House Music and the boom of Disco. A colorful time when the funkiness ruled both the airwaves and the nightclubs, Massin dove right in. “I was always a dancer,” said Massin. “I even took disco lessons with my parents and I often went dancing.” Inspired by her favorite artists, Frankie Knuckles, Jean Michel Jarre, Paul Van Dyk, Avicii, and Tiesto, Massin morphed into her own and put together a sound that would define her artistry. Using her back-
Debbie Porter
ground in classical music, Massin went to famed Sugar Hill Studio in Houston and embarked on her first recording project. “I’m constantly asked what drew me to EDM and the answer is simple, I love how it makes me feel,” Massin said. “Many EDM songs are often about love and about connecting with others. It’s those universal themes that make this genre, in many ways to me, such strong community.” In the years since she began her own pursuit, Massin has performed in venues all over the city. Her resume includes performances at Fitzgerald’s, Ovation’s, Jet Lounge, Nutsuoh ( fka Dean’s On Main), Tootsies, M. Penner, River Oaks Country Club, Houston City Club, Sullivan’s, Dunns Brothers Coffee House, Picos Restaurant, Evelyn’s Park Conservancy in Bellaire, Hotel Zaza, The Houstonian Hotel, CityCentre at the inaugural Springboard South Music Festival, Nature’s Market and at local farmer’s markets. Massin was nominated two years in a row for the Houston Press Music Awards in the Instrumental/ Experimental genre and her music has been featured in television, radio and short films. Massin's excited about the future of the music industry in Houston and beyond. In her immediate future she looks forward to working on a project with the Houston Symphony Orchestra and serving as Board Advisor for the Houston Chapter of the National Association of Record Industry Professionals. To learn more about Massin's DJ and recording services contact her at rhythm88@ymail.com.
December 2014 | ciaobellamagazine.com 19