Performing today at LOVE FROM HOME FEST, music artist SNDNGCHLLZ, is set to make their debut on NAKID but first we wanted to sit down with them for a short interview and feature a new track ‘EXPLODE’! Check him out LIVE! today playing 7:45 – 8:30 PM EST / 4:45 – 5:30 PM PST!
STREAM DAY 2 – LOVE FROM HOME FEST – CLICK HERE!
INTERVIEW:
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your story. How did your background and culture shape you and what creative expression means to you and why?
I grew up in Peru and South Florida, so being a first generation immigrant I had to build my own taste in art, style, and culture. Growing up in a place as diverse as south florida has made all of my work become honest, and total reflections of myself and personality.
Artistic expression is beauty in humanity, a way of releasing one’s self from within – was music something that called to you over time more than other artistic avenues or did you just know at some point?
Music has been in my life ever since i can remember, my father’s side of the family has a long history of singers, dancers, actors, and performers, so naturally i’ve always been surrounded by musicians and music, I personally didn’t get into the actual process of making music until the 7th grade when i got my first drum set. That was the point that made me realize what I want to chase.
What was it like growing up in and around Miami for you? How has that shaped your found talent musically?
My surroundings have always influenced my personality and ultimately my art. South Florida is just so full of different ideas and cultures, you can’t help but pick things up along the way. Going to elementary, middle, and high school in the hood also played a huge part in my brains artistic development and affected my music taste as well.
What are some of your heaviest influences in art, music, just creatively in general, your top three favorites?
Off the top of my head, my biggest influences are movies, because i love to write stories and songs that make you envision a situation, something that provokes an idea in your head. Another huge influence is my music friends, there’s so much talent constantly around me, I think sometimes it can be sort of like friendly competition of everyone trying to outgrow the next artist. Another big influence is just life experience, music has always been my escape from reality, and a source for therapy, so most of my work stems from me not knowing how to talk about a subject with someone, so i just write about it to myself.
How has your music process and writing changed from when you started, and what things do you focus on most with respect to your brand or image and music that make up you as a music artist?
I think the most important thing for me is honesty. I always try and touch on points that sometimes may be hard to discuss, or too sensitive to bring up. I think those are the times we feel most vulnerable, especially when a piece of music can make you feel exactly the way you already feel, that synchronicity in wavelengths is the most important thing about what SNDNGCHLLZ means to me as a whole.
How has COVID-19 affected you & your family personally and your community during this period of lockdown?
Due to the virus me and my roommates have been out of work for about 3 weeks now, luckily we’re blessed enough to be healthy right now, and financially stable for the weeks and months to come, just scary to think about what the outcome of all of this will bring.
What have you been doing during the lockdown to stay sane?
This is the first time i’ve had this much “free time” in years, so I’ve been doing a little of everything. Been working on some clothes of mine, just customizing jeans and stuff, i made a sample pack for the producer homies, been recording here and there, released a little EP under my new side project “FFANTOMM”, playing basketball, drinking a lot of beer, and really just vibing with my girl and my dog, trying to enjoy every second i can with them.
If you had to take one person alive or dead into quarantine lockdown with you for 30 days and you only got one object to take with you, what would it be and who would you pick?
Oh this one is easy, id probably pick Bear as my person, and my laptop as an object, Bear is one of my favorite artists and one of my best friends, every time we lock ourselves in a room we make beautiful records, so that would be sick.
What’s the first thing you wanna do or go to when the lockdown ends, what do you miss most?
Haven’t seen my friends in weeks and my birthday passed on monday, so the first thing is either going to throw a huge party, or a lil bbq for the whole gang, i know everyone needs that right now, something wholesome and fun.
What new music do you have on the horizon?
I have a collection of singles im working on right now, a bunch of different flavors to show my range, no projects or albums right now though, just been focusing on one song at a time, until the time is right to write another piece.
What’s your spirit animal?
I‘ve never really thought of this to be honest.
What’s your favorite thing about making music and playing music live?
For me making music is always therapy, as well as performing. Getting up on a stage and leaving your worries and insecurities behind to be the center of attention for 45 minutes is something most people never get to experience, and it’s something I feel so comfortable in. The opportunity to be in front of a crowd and influence them to dance, or stare, or cry, that’s a type of power that always leaves you craving more.
What’s one thing that was a challenge you had to overcome choosing this music path and how did it affect you and your writing?
I think I’m constantly challenged with innovation. I don’t like making the same record over and over, so i’m always looking for ways and sounds to set me apart from my peers, sometimes that can lead to a lot of indecision and doubt, because you simply don’t know what you’re doing, but i think it keeps my sound fresh and unpredictable to my supporters, they want to hear something new, something wavy.
Thank you to SNDNGCHLLZ for sitting down with us and performing at DAY 2 of LOVE FROM HOME FEST – Check him out LIVE! today playing 5:30 – 6:00 PM EST / 2:30 – 3:00 PM PST!
DAY 2 – LOVE FROM HOME FEST // APRIL 11TH, 2020 – STREAM HERE!!
About Author
