Commit to Content: An interview with Fuchi
Why did you start making music?
I have family members in the music industry on my mom’s side and instrumentalists on my dad’s. In the 90s I lived in New Jersey and frequented New York. My brother started rapping when I was like 7 in the 90s. My uncle on my mom’s side had the SP-12 and MPC-3K. So he, along with my uncle, put me onto so many obscure rappers and instrumentalists. I remember staying up late nights just to catch the Stretch and Bobbito show with my brother. Then visiting Fat Beats in the Village when I was a kid. Those things had a lasting impact on me.
So when I started making beats of my own in 2005 in Fruity Loops. I already knew I wanted to make hip hop beats for my brother to rap on. Then from there I started taking it seriously in 2009 when I met Andy (Ahrs Ahrtis) and Vic (Moby Vic) for the first time. Those dudes and RPDB have helped me come a long way when it comes to where I’m at as a musician today.
What is your creative process?
If I’m making sample based beats I like to always start with the sample. Then manipulate the sample as needed by pitching, filtering, chopping up, and adding FX. From there I’ll add drums and extra instruments.
If I’m looking to play synths I like to use Max for Live plugins like Euclidean Rhythms to come up with cool progressions. I’ll resample them onto some hardware then go from there. Once I determine the melodic section I’ll add the drum and bass to build up the rhythm section. Then from there once I’ve determined the key of the rhythm and melody I generally like to add chord progressions. My favorite synths to use are Analog Lab, TAL Juno clone, and Dexed the FM DX7 synth clone.
Your videos are inspiring loads of artists within the community. How do you keep your approach fresh, and avoid fatigue?
Thanks! I take time off from making music and pick up another hobby. Lately I’ve been getting into woodworking and gardening. Either that or I’ll take a trip somewhere I like visiting little beach towns here in Florida with my family.
Let’s get controversial. Beatmaking + production gear - which is your favourite and why?
Actually, I’ve been kind of selling off a lot of workstation based production gear lately. I started making beats on the MPC X and really felt like it’s the quickest way to get an idea out, when it comes to sampling… A lot of my workflow revolves around sampling. For me as a father, husband, and IT engineer, my time to create has become a lot more limited - so having something to get ideas out quickly is essential. So for me, the number one thing is being streamlined while keeping the same harmonics, warmth, mix, and dynamics in my final product.
My favorite production gear is the MPC X. But I use a lot of outside gear to sauce it up. With an example being the Ensoniq EPS or Akai S3000 for drums.
But I think the overall best production gear is the SP-404MK2.
Roland’s new MKii model of the SP-404 sampling workstation credit: Roland
How do you handle creative block?
Take a break!
Do something else. Play sports, go workout, leave the crib for a bit, go help someone, go plant something, etc.
The stream of creative consciousness is always out there flowing. Recharge that antenna B!
Next, let’s talk consistency.
What advice would you give to artists who struggle to promote themselves on social media?
I can relate to those who struggle to promote themselves regularly. The motivation doesn’t always come naturally but here’s a method I’ve come up with to help stay the course and maintain consistency:
That’s great! Thanks Fuchi. Finally, what’s an album recently which has changed the way you think about music?
I recently got my son into Weezer’s blue album. We love listening to Buddy Holly and The Sweater Song.
There’s actually a running joke in my group chat that I only listen to music I was introduced to in 2014 and before and honestly it’s kinda true lol. I literally listen to the same albums on repeat and revisit them whenever.
My personal top 5 in no order is. Madvillainy, 36 Chambers, LCD Soundsystem, Endtroducing, and Fourtet’s There Is Love in You.
What has been the most challenging thing you’ve had to overcome as an artist?
Promoting my music projects. In a timely and orderly fashion!
You’ve grown a dedicated and supportive community around your music - how did you first get into the scene and maintain such a strong connection to the community?
I’m super thankful that’s there people that even take the time to watch my content or listen to my projects. Especially when I would be making these tracks and buying all this music gear without anyone even knowing my music exists.
It all started with watching the reels 8greg2, ohricky, impreshn, and Q-noise would put out and thinking how cool it looked. Also lofivibe posts always got me super inspired. I wanted to be a part of that.
As far as maintaining, I’ve just been consistent with my online presence. I also keep in touch with a lot of the creatives I met in the community.
What’s next for you in 2024?
Got a project with my bro Moby Vic! Not sure if we’re calling it 200X or 20XX yet lol.
It’s always been a goal of mine to release music or be a part of music encompassing every genre that I love. So I made a trilogy of projects SMOKE!, TURISMO!, and now RUN! the last project in that trilogy. This project is mostly rap with vocal appearances from my brother Miguel (Vivid), my good friend Vic, Brandon (Ghouls Anonymous), and I.
Then I got a couple of beat tapes coming out. Days of Future Past will be a continuation of my comic book style beat tapes. This will feature unreleased beats that I made last year. Then lastly I’ll be dropping Vol. X, which will contain a lot of the beats I’ve been making this year. Most of the beats were made on the MPC X and a few on the PO-33.
Find Fuchi on
Instagram | Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp | Youtube | Soundcloud
