With a strong musical background, original guitar melodies, powerful production, and stirring lyrics, Texas based arist fats’e has been gaining the recognition he rightfully deserves. Despite being a prominent member of the scene, little is known about the artist who sings about apathy and heartbreak. With his EP finds purpose in misery set to release next Friday, we got to ask the mysterious fats’e about his upbringing, influences, recording setup, and more.
UU: So where does the name fats’e originate from?
fats’e: In 2015 me and some friends had a short-lived experimental hip-hop project and we would freestyle all the lyrics so in one song I referred to myself as ‘fat C’ because my name is Charlie and I’m skinny so I guess it was ironic. I dunno, it’s dumb but it stuck. Then I changed the spelling in 2016 to fats’e because it looks better and that’s when I made my SoundCloud.
What was highschool like for you?
I skipped a lot. I never liked school. Me and friends would skip and fuck around all day. I dropped out early junior year and later got my diploma from an alternative school.
How did you get your start as a musician?
I started taking piano lessons around 6 and my parents bought me my first guitar around 12. I started my first band with some friends in middle school then in high school I played keyboard and guitar in a couple metalcore bands. After I left high school me and my friends (that I still make music with) dub and Jung Michael started a more serious metal band called IORI that did some small tours. After we broke up I started getting really into producing and me and a group of my friends started the experimental hip-hop stuff that lead me to fats’e.
Besides music, do you pursue any other big hobbies or interests you have?
Honestly not really. When I’m not making music I am smoking weed and staring at my laptop. Sometimes I’ll draw or make art on the computer but only for the sole purpose of making art for a song. I should pick up a hobby.
Is there any genre you want to try out or experiment with in the future?
I would like to start another metal band in the power-violence / black metal direction.
That’s awesome. So who would you say are some of your biggest influences?
I am heavily influenced by UK artists Burial and James Blake, then emo bands from all eras like american football, From First to Last, Title Fight, etc. Also Zaytoven and Lex Luger are a big influence on my production. And Joy Division.
I referred to myself as ‘fat C’ because my name is Charlie and I’m skinny so I guess it was ironic.
That’s a wide range. What was your first CD growing up?
First CD I remember buying with my own money was some Tiesto album and I loved it.
What about the first concert you went to?
Damn that’s actually hard I think it was either HORSE the band or The Devil Wears Prada/Whitechapel.
Speaking of concerts, what was your first performance like?
I was definitely a statue and very nervous. I would stand completely still and look down at my instrument for years until I broke out of that stage fright thing finally after high school.
Were there any people in the past that have hit you up to collaborate on music that you were surprised to hear from?
Yeah for sure. I was surprised and super stoked the first time atlas hit me up to collaborate. There are more but it’s involving unreleased stuff not sure I can talk about *smiles*
Do any of your friends that make music who inspire your writing?
Definitely. I wouldn’t be making this kind of music if I didn’t stumble across YungJZAisDead and 93FEETOFSMOKE randomly on soundcloud in 2016. I soon after found scum and Lil Lotus and we all started making music together and they all continue to inspire me.
Where do you find your inspiration? When do you feel the most inspired and creative?
Honestly it might sound corny but my friends inspire and motivate me more than anything. Inspiration hits me so random though it’s hard to pinpoint how or why I’m inspired most of the time
You collab with your friends a lot. What are your most memorable collaborations?
“srry bout ur shoes” with scum and 93FEETOFSMOKE !!!
Do you have any favorite producers in your genre?
notmorgn, 93FEETOFSMOKE, YungJZAisDead, tothegood
Do you have any big plans or projects coming for 2018?
I am dropping at least 3 EP’s this year, one of them is a collab with 2 other artists. A few music videos. Lot’s of song collaborations in the works.
Also playing some shows maybe a small tour.
Is anything in the scene that you want to see more of?
More innovation.
What is the most challenging part of being an artist?
For me right now it’s doing everything myself, I need a manager to help me with merch and booking and legal stuff and whatnot so I can focus more on the music.
What is the song you are most proud of, and why?
An unreleased song on my EP. I think I wrote some of the best lyrics and catchiest melodies I ever have.
What is your recording set up?
Right now I use my asus ROG laptop running Pro Tools 11 and FL Studio 9 and record into a Focusrite 2i2 with my AT4040 for vocals and DI my PRS mike mushok baritone into guitar rig for my guitar playing.
What would you tell an aspiring musician?
Be patient and make friends with other musicians.
Any final message you want to tell your fans?
If you believe in me I love you.
I think I wrote some of the best lyrics and catchiest melodies I ever have [on my new EP]
