Hailing from Tampa, Florida is Drew The Architect, the TeamSESH producer who has crafted a beautifully unique and ominous production sound. A go to producer for Bones and Xavier Wulf of SeshHollowWaterBoyz, Drew has also worked with Corbin (formerly known as Spooky Black). Despite being an integral producer of the underground, little is known about the man behind the mask. We got the chance to talk to the enigmatic producer about his influences, what its like working with TeamSESH, the intense fandom of TeamSESH, and what the future holds for him.
Underground Underdogs: So you recently released your album noctūrnal and it had me wondering, do you prefer to create instrumentals or to work with vocalists on your beats?
Drew the Architect: I mainly prefer to create instrumentals unless I’m making something for Bones or one of the guys in SHWB.
What is the process like for you? How do you express emotions/memories, if at all? I imagine it’s a bit different since you don’t have lyrics or anything.
Playing around with sounds and creating something I feel. In my opinion I feel like you don’t need words or a voice to express how you’re feeling.
Do you ever experiment with vocals or songwriting yourself?
I have a lot of songs where I’ve recorded vocals but I feel like it goes over a lot of people’s heads. Most of the stuff I record I never release though for some reason but I’ll be releasing a lot more in the near future.
Looking forward to that for sure! I’m curious as to what the motivation/inspiration behind your art is?
Just life itself, my surroundings and things like that. My friends are also a huge inspiration to me.
Let’s talk about your friends for a sec. What does TeamSESH mean to you?
Family. Most genuine and inspiring people I know and I am very thankful to be apart of something so special.
What does it feel like knowing that hundreds of rappers, even some who are on the Billboard 100, are taking from the SESH model that you helped lay down?
I don’t know, I try not to care about that type of shit anymore. I used to respond and call out everything little thing I saw but then people just look at you like some sort of asshole. It’s just annoying because I’ve been a fan and friend of Elmo [Bones] for over five years now, and seeing these kids take from him and not paying any sort of respect or homage is pretty piss. But what can ya do. These others guys aren’t going to last anyway.
I am very thankful to be apart of something so special.
I’d say that’s the best outlook you can have. A lot of people were actually wondering what your favorite memory/experience with Bones is.
thebeanbag…only he and a few others would understand…..
I can only imagine [laughs]. That brings me to my next question, whowasitinteamseshthatoriginatedtalkinglikethis?
uhhgooooseman?
ihavealwayswonderedthat. Something I also have wondered is that you listed in a previous interview that some of your influences were Three Days Grace, Papa Roach, Alien Antfarm, Linkin Park, Greenday, P.O.D. ect, yet I would argue we don’t necessarily hear these influences in your music. How exactly did these artists influence you?
A lot of those questions in that interview I answered jokingly [laughs]. Respect to all them, but really the only one out of that list I ever listened to and enjoyed was Linkin Park. But there’s tons of bands and artists that have influenced me over the years. A lot of post-rock, math rock, hardcore bands etc. and even stuff like Aphex Twin or Boards of Canada, list goes on. A couple people that really got me wanting to take making beats more seriously was Clams Casino and Eric Dingus.
[Laughs] You bastard I used that as reference. Well lets go into that then, how did those artists make you want to take beats more seriously? And how did you actually set out and start producing?
I started listening to them a shit ton. Especially Eric back around the Raider Klan days. Hearing that tape he did with Xavier Wulf Damare Shizukani and that project Saturn he did with Bones inspired the hell out of me and I started to think “damn, I could work with them too if I start going harder.”
And here we are. It’s amazing to me that you are now friends with the artists you listened to, yet still you once said “I don’t like my music.” Can you elaborate on this? How do you avoid being your own worst critic?
I just used to be so much harder on myself. I look back on a lot of the old stuff I “hated” and actually enjoy it now which is funny. It’s a weird thing, and I know most people feel that way at some point. Best thing to do is just keep creating and you are sure to progress.
How would you say your own sound has evolved and progressed?
I really can’t put it into words. Everything is just so much better to me at least. I just love how there’s always stuff to learn and get better at. Also, now instead of sticking to one kind of thing, I’m just all over the place experimenting.
Just keep creating and you are sure to progress.
What is something you wish someone told you when you first started making music?
Hmm. Some tips and help learning would have been real nice. Everything I’ve learned has been on my own.
This is always a difficult question, but what project or song do you feel is the most personal to you, and why?
It would probably be tie between my projects lèiyll and weûyleh just because times were real hard around then, and I was in a very depressed and dark state. Making those really helped me out of that in a way.
That is amazing how therapeutic music is. What’s your reaction to the statement that artists like you are one of a kind?
Its surreal when people say things like that and really I don’t even know how to take it. It’s just crazy to me still that people even listen and give a damn. I’m very thankful for all of my supporters and anyone who listens.
Honestly the TeamSESH fans are some of the most hardcore and dedicated I’ve ever seen. What’s been your craziest fan moment?
At the TeamSESH show last year in April I performed alongside my friends, and after it was over we decided to go outside where everyone was. I walked out and instantly everyone that was coming out of The Novo was rushing me and surrounding me. Never experienced anything like that in my life and I honestly felt like I was going to have a panic attack at first. [Laughs] shit was just unreal, people asking me for autographs and photos. Definitely a crazy moment for me.
With moments like that what do you think the rest of this year holds for you? What can we expect from Drew the Architect?
Definitely more shows. Trying to organize some stuff for new york in the summer right now and possibly a couple in Los Angeles…maybe later this year some Texas dates? And of course you can expect some new music from me, collaborations with friends and lots of new visuals.