Connan Mockasin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Connan Mockasin
Mockasin at Haldern Pop Festival, 2013
Background information
Birth name	Connan Tant Hosford
Born	(1983-03-21) 21 March 1983 (age 42) Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Origin	Te Awanga, Hawke's Bay
Genres	Psychedelic pop neo-psychedelia dream pop space rock avant-pop experimental rock rhythm and blues
Instruments	Guitar vocals bass guitar saxophone
Years active	2003–present
Labels	Phantasy Because Mexican Summer
Associated acts	Charlotte Gainsbourg Soft Hair Infinite Bisous Dev Hynes

Connan Tant Hosford, known as Connan Mockasin, is a musician, composer, and record producer from New Zealand. He is famous for his unique and creative approach to music. Connan Mockasin helped mix psychedelic music with indie music, creating a fresh sound.

He was born in Napier and grew up in Te Awanga. His stage name, Mockasin, comes from his childhood habit. He used to make shoes that looked like mocassins from sheepskin and old motorbike tires. At 20, he moved to Wellington to focus on his music. He played in different bands before forming 'Connan and The Mockasins' in 2006.

His first solo album, Forever Dolphin Love, came out in 2011. It was very popular, especially in Europe. His second album, Caramel, was released in 2013. Since then, he has released more albums, including Jassbusters (2018) and Jassbusters Two (2021). Connan Mockasin has also created and produced his own films, like Bostyn 'n Dobsyn.

He has worked with many other artists, such as Charlotte Gainsbourg, Liam Finn, Dev Hynes, and MGMT. His own father also joined him on the 2021 album It's Just Wind. Artists like Beach House, Tyler, the Creator, and James Blake have said Connan Mockasin influenced their music. He has lived and worked in several cities around the world, including London, Los Angeles, and Tokyo. He has a partner and one daughter.

Music Career

Early Music Days

Connan Mockasin was born in 1983 and grew up in Te Awanga, New Zealand. His father, Ade Hosford, was also a musician. Connan started his first band when he was in intermediate school in 1995.

In 2003, Connan moved back to Wellington. He played in a band briefly before starting his main New Zealand group, "Connan and the Mockasins." This band was named because Connan liked making his own shoes. In 2006, Connan and the Mockasins moved to London. They had released their second music collection, called "Uuu It's Teasy," before moving.

Forever Dolphin Love (2010–2012)

Mockasin supporting Warpaint in 2011

The first music released under the name "Connan Mockasin" was the album "Please Turn Me into The Snat" in 2010. It was later re-released in 2011 as "Forever Dolphin Love." This album had a very different sound from his earlier work. Critics described it as "fluid" and "mesmerizing." Connan recorded the album at his home in Te Awanga. The re-released version included a live recording called "Forever Dolphin Live." This was recorded in an apartment in London.

For his live performances, Connan put together a band. It included Matthew Eccles on drums, Nicholas Harsant on bass, Sam Dust on keyboards, and Rory McCarthy on percussion.

Caramel (2013)

Mockasin in 2013

Connan Mockasin and his band toured with Charlotte Gainsbourg. This happened after Connan wrote the song 'Out of Touch' for her 2011 album.

Connan Mockasin also toured with the famous band Radiohead in Australia and New Zealand in November 2012. They played many sold-out shows in cities like Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.

In September 2013, Mockasin announced his second album, Caramel. It was released in November of that year. Connan said he wanted to make something "simple" and "relaxed." He recorded the album in a hotel room in Tokyo. He enjoyed the atmosphere there. Critics said the album requires patience from listeners. It included popular songs like "I'm The Man That Will Find You."

Jassbusters and Bostyn 'n Dobsyn (2018–2021)

In August 2018, Connan Mockasin shared new music and tour dates. "Con Conn Was Impatient" was the first song from his album Jassbusters. Another song, "Charlotte's Thong," was released in September. It is thought to be named after his collaborator Charlotte Gainsbourg. Jassbusters was recorded in Paris in just one week in 2016. It was the first Connan Mockasin album to feature his touring band. This band included Nicholas Harsant, Matthew Eccles, and Rory McCarthy.

Jassbusters was released with a five-part film called "Bostyn 'n Dobsyn." Connan wrote and directed this film. It took many years to develop. The film tells the story of Mr. Bostyn (played by Connan) and his student J. Dobsyn. Connan and his band play music teachers in the film. The first episode, "Belly Bubble," was shown at a special event in Los Angeles.

Jassbusters Two (2021)

In November 2021, Mockasin released a follow-up album called Jassbusters Two. This album again features a fictional band of schoolteachers from the "Bostyn 'n Dobsyn" TV series. Connan and his band members recorded the album by playing music together freely. They created blurry riffs and unique sounds.

Music Style

Connan Mockasin's music is known for being unusual and creative. He uses unique themes and instruments. People have called his music "weird" in a positive way. He is seen as a leader in "trippy, mutated soul" music. He has found more success internationally than in his home country.

Famous artists like Beck and Radiohead have said they admire his work. He toured with Radiohead in 2012. Artists like Beach House, Tyler, the Creator, and James Blake have said Connan Mockasin influenced them. James Blake has called Mockasin a personal friend and mentor. He said Connan makes him feel like he "could do anything."

Collaborations

Connan Mockasin has worked with many other musicians. In 2016, he released an album called "Soft Hair" with Sam Dust.

In 2015, Mockasin and British artist Devonté Hynes released an extended play (EP) called Myths 001. This was part of a special series by Mexican Summer.

Connan also appeared on "The Teacher," a song by Australian artist Kirin J. Callinan in 2015. He also helped organize concerts in London. These events featured performances by James Blake, Connan's father Ade, and Liam Finn.

Connan has also played concerts in New Zealand with his old bandmates James Milne and Liam Finn. They sometimes perform as "Mockasin Arabia Finn." At one concert, Connan performed a Fleetwood Mac song with Mick Fleetwood.

Connan contributed to James Blake's album 'The Colour in Anything'. He played bass on the song "Noise Above Our Heads." James Blake has said Connan inspires him. Connan sometimes joined James on stage during tours. James Blake later appeared on a song from Connan's 2018 album Jassbusters.

Mockasin also appeared on MGMT's 2018 album Little Dark Age. He can be seen in the music video for the album's main song.

In 2018, Connan's father, Ade, joined the band to record a new album. This album was made up entirely of improvised music. It was released in 2021 under the title It's Just Wind.

Mockasin also worked with the band Justice on their 2024 album Hyperdrama. He was featured on the track "Explorer."

Musical Instruments

Mockasin playing his customized Fender Stratocaster

Since about 2005, Connan Hosford has played a special Fender Stratocaster guitar. It is a sky blue model from the 1990s that he reshaped himself. He even showed how he did this on stage in New York. Besides this guitar, Connan has also used a black Silvertone 1448 guitar.

Connan Mockasin often uses a unique "guitar warble" sound in his music. This sound is a key part of his style.

Discography

As Connan Mockasin

With Connan and the Mockasins

• Naughty Holidays (2004)
• Uuu It's Teasy (2006)
• Sneaky Sneaky Dogfriend (2006) (EMI, Regal)

With BARB

• Barb (2010)
• "Havin' a Baby"

With Dev Hynes

• Myths 001: Collaborative Recordings Captured in Marfa

With Soft Hair

• Soft Hair (2016)

Personal Life

Connan Mockasin has a partner, Hiromi Oshima, and they have one daughter together.

Fashion Style

Connan Mockasin helped designer Karen Walker launch her first eyewear collection for men. The collection featured "bold" and "geometric" glasses. Karen Walker wanted to work with Mockasin because of his unique "style." She admired his music, ideas, and his own look. Walker said he does not follow trends. She believes he is a "modern icon."

Vogue Magazine has described Connan Mockasin as "groovy" and "lively."