Denver’s bass scene thrives on chaos, community, and creativity and few acts embody that better than Hostage Situation. Since forming in 2021, the trio (Devin, Nate, and Grant) have gone from Black Box regulars to headliners selling out The Gothic, riling up festival crowds at Decadence, Supernatural, and Global Dance, and earning their place as one of Colorado’s most explosive new exports. Their self-branded mission? To “take the crowd hostage” every time they hit the stage.
This summer marks their next big leap. On August 29th & 30th, Hostage Situation headline in Fort Collins and Boulder with two of their most ambitious shows yet, before dropping their long-awaited debut album Hostile Frequencies on October 2nd. The album’s lead single, “Burn For You“, perfectly captures what they’ve built their name on; heavy-hitting riddim energy spliced with emotional depth, a “cry while you headbang” experience that’s fast becoming their signature.

Ahead of the pair of Colorado shows and the album release, we caught up with Hostage Situation to talk about their roots, their sound, and how they really divvy up roles in a hostage crisis.

[Rooster]: You’ve got two big headlining shows in Colorado later this week. What can fans expect from this one compared to your past Colorado sets?

[Hostage Situation]: Fans can expect the unexpected with this one. We have so much versatility with this project now that there’s a little bit of everything for everyone. From the classic heavy-hitting hostage bass that everyone’s come to love and even some new stuff like house or UKG-oriented tracks, this is definitely one for the books.

Your debut album Hostile Frequencies drops October 2nd. What does the title mean to you, and how does it reflect where you’re at as a group?

Hostile Frequencies is more of a statement piece for us as a group. After doing this for a couple years, it really showcases what we have in the chamber musically. This is our time to show what this group is really capable of.

The lead single “Burn For You” blends heavy-hitting drops with more emotional moments. Is that balance something you set out to create from the start, or did it happen naturally?

The Hostage Situation project has always had an element of “cry while you headbang.” “Burn For You” is a perfect representation of that. Having the opportunity to use our own voice on a track as well as really push the envelope with our production is something fans can really look forward to.

You’ve been part of Denver’s bass scene for a few years now. How has the local community shaped your sound and career? And how do you stay inspired and avoid blending into the noise?

Denver being our hometown is really the reason why Hostage is where it is today, with all the love and support of friends and fans alike. This city is breathing with talent, and it’s honestly pretty easy to avoid blending into the noise. With so many different styles of electronic music here, you can get inspiration from pretty much anywhere.

You describe your brand as “taking the crowd hostage.” What does that look and feel like from your perspective on stage?

Anyone who knows us or has been to a show knows there’s never been a malicious intent behind “taking the crowd hostage.” It’s more like — for the next hour, we’re going to provide an experience you don’t want to leave. Audibly, we’ll take you hostage. For us on stage, it’s absolutely surreal to create an environment where everyone’s on the same page of letting loose and having the greatest party of all time.

How do the three of you collaborate in the studio? Is it chaotic, structured, or somewhere in between?

At the start we definitely had more of a rigid structure — all three of us in the studio start to finish on a track. But after working together for so long, we’ve gotten a really good sense of each other’s musical tastes. Now we’ll send multiple ideas in the group chat, pick a couple, and then go in to finish the songs. I like it more how it is now because some of the ideas we make individually are really out there, and I don’t think we would have come up with those sitting in the same room.

The album’s release kicks off your most extensive tour yet. Any cities or venues you’re especially excited to hit for the first time?

Most of the cities on the tour we’ve played before in some capacity — either headlining smaller venues or supporting at the same venues. So it’s especially fun to go back and recognize people who’ve come out two or three times now. As for new spots, we’re especially excited for Dancefestopia and WAKAAN because of the scale of the community there. Those festivals are truly in their own lane.

If each member of Hostage Situation had to survive a real hostage scenario, who would be the negotiator, who would be the muscle, and who would be the distraction?

Devin would be the negotiator since he’s such a smooth operator, Nate would be the distraction because he can pull a room with ease, and I’d be the muscle — I’ve been going to the gym and I’m absolutely yoked.
If Grant’s had a few drinks, he’s the negotiator — my dude knows how to make a deal. I’d be the distraction because of my agility, and Devin’s the muscle because he has the biggest muscles.
Grant’s the muscle for sure, Nate’s the distraction since he can talk to anyone at any time, and I’ll take the negotiator role. I think I could extend the conversation long enough for the other two to finish the job.