5 Songs I Love w/ Host Bodies

Every artist has a handful of songs that leave a lasting impression, whether they shaped their musical identity, opened the door to new sounds or sparked ideas that would eventually find their way into their own work. For Host Bodies, the San Francisco live electronic duo of James Collector (Swoop) and Nick Hess, those influences sit within a world of genre-defying electronic music, where experimentation, unexpected textures and a spirit of collaboration are central to their creative approach.

With Daily Apparatus: 10 Year Remixes revisiting their 2016 debut album through the perspectives of ten artists from the Bay Area and Los Angeles, Host Bodies join Flex for 5 Songs I Love. Along the way, they share five tracks that have inspired them, exploring the artists and sounds that have shaped their musical journeys, informed their creative instincts and continue to fuel their appetite for sonic exploration.

1. DJ Shadow - You Played Me (Chrome Sparks Remix)

Swoop: What I love about this track is how irresistible the groove is. I can’t sit still listening to it. I get stink face. DJ Shadow is of course an early influence and Chrome Sparks continues to impress (his 2026 release Ball of Light is on heavy rotation at the moment). I love when a track can be this dancefloor friendly without falling into 4-on-the-floor territory. The swing, the break, the processing, the sampling—what’s not to love? Also the BPM is a bit slower than typical, which vibes with our Remix of Beads.

2. Del the Funky Homosapien - Phoney Phranchise (Domino Remix)

Swoop: Growing up in Boulder, skateboarding opened my ears up to hiphop. I remember seeing a video of a local skater 360 flipping a big gap at a school on my side of town. Right when he lands the trick, this Del song started playing, and I've been in love with rap music ever since. I later lived in Oakland for years where all the Hieroglyphics and Souls Mischief underground sound originated. I love that this track is a remix that’s undeniably better than the original. While I still think the original version of Hurdles is better than my Swoop Remix, I do believe that Jaya Leigh’s remix of You Are Not Like Them tops the original.

3. Gorillaz - Andromeda (Bonobo Remix)

Nick: Bonobo’s music is often densely layered with a curated symphony of tasteful sounds and instruments, but I love the restrained simplicity in this remix. He honors the emotional and melodic content while injecting a ton of dance sensibility. It’s amazing to me that all Simon Green has to do is add a syncopated drum beat and bass groove to instantly make something sound like it’s his. Since the original Gorillaz song is already emotionally rich, the light casual nature of Bonobo’s sample based recording style are the perfect complement.

4. Not for Radio - Puddles (Zero 7 Remix)

Nick: Zero 7 managed to create a completely different harmonic feeling with this remix, and I do prefer it to the original. The bouncy synth layers over Maria’s glassy vocals are a match made in heaven, and keep the song from being too melancholic. When It Falls is my favorite Zero 7 album and that same unhurried, analog warmth is all over this. They have always been masters of patient grooves, lush keys, and creating space for a vocal to breathe.

5. Tor - Inkeri (Fejká Remix)

Swoop: Tor has been coordinating exceptional remix albums following each of his original releases. There’s no question that his work has influenced Host Bodies. This remix by Fejka resonates in a big way with the “Happy, Really (Shred Remix).” It’s a dark odyssey that taps into the determination and adventure we love to encounter in electronic music. Of course, it would be a dream to have our own work someday remixed by either of these artists. Just putting that out there, Universe ;)

Listen to Daily Apparatus: 10 Year Remixes