TeK Fizzix: I'm 20 going on 21 (in August) from St. Louis and I started neddling in producing when I was 13. When i first began I did hiphop/experimental electronic. I went by the name MaXiMuMMaXiMuS and produced that style for about 5 years. I discovered dubstep in early 2010 via the ukf august 09 mix. That's when I started trying to make dubstep. However at the time my sound was very primitive and unrefined. In late 2011/early 2012 I released Goliath VIP which really stepped my game up, and began really producing legitimate dubstep..
Robo Jo-Jo: How old were you when you became influenced by the music you enjoy and where did you get the name Tek Fizzix from and what is the meaning of your name?
TeK Fizzix: I was very young, probably 10 when I first started becoming enthralled by music. Hilariously enough I got into disco (Bee Gees), but at some point discovered a random trance CD and really liked it. I remember I got the mixman DM2 when I was probaby 13, but didn't start actually trying to produce till I was 14. I discovered dubstep via the UKF August Dubstep mix. When Jenova Project by Datsik was dropped, my life was forever changed. I'd experimented for awhile there after that but I didn't really start making legitimate dubstep tracks until earlier this year. TeK Fizzix is a pseudonym of my familiarity with the "Fizzix" of music "Teknology". My good buddy Zach helped me out with the name (He came up with Fizzix).
Robo Jo-Jo: What do you do when you produce your music in the recording studio how longs does it take you to finish your productions what do you like to have in hand what do you see inside the production your working on and how do you think its going to turn out and how do you master your productions so well?
TeK Fizzix: When I am producing, I am in heaven. I feel like I am exactly where I need to be. I don't actually use much physical equipment aside from headphones, speakers (rather poopy ones), a keyboard, a mouse, and my own creative process. I also have an LPK25 I use to come up with basic melodies occasionally. Some come together quicker than others; it can take anywhere from 30-60+ hours to finish a production. The Contagion took over 60 hours to finish. If something starts to turn out crappy, I stop working on it because I can use that time to work on something better. I refuse to put out a track I don't deem is quality. I master my productions by using izotope ozone 5 and testing my mix across a few different platforms (a car stereo, boombox, headphones, speakers) by taking notes on what I hear and should change, and a great deal of patience.
Robo Jo-Jo: What is your studio set up what Software / Hardware do you use and which piece of Technology is your favourite in your studio?
TeK Fizzix: I use FLstudio 10 and a good chunk of VSTs. My favorites are Massive, Razor, Sausage Fattener, Albino 3, Harmor, and most recently, Skanner. I suppose my most commonly used is massive.
Robo Jo-Jo: If you could collab with anyone who would it be and why and what
producer/artist/musician would you want to meet and who is your fav producer of all time?
TeK Fizzix: Either Datsik or Downlink. Cyberoptics is also amazing and I have been compared to him (although I don't think I'm that good!) My favorite overall producer is definitely Datsik. His vibe generally leans toward a dark feel, and it's very bassy and robotic, which I love.
Robo Jo-Jo: What is your favourite thing to eat and drink?
TeK Fizzix: Bass. Just kidding, well kind of (I would eat it if I could). You can ask my girlfriend, I'm honestly really easy to cook for. If it's edible I'll eat it. I suppose my favorite is chocolate. I'm diabetic so I don't get to eat it much so that's probably why I love it so much. To drink? I'm good with water or milk for real.
Robo Jo-Jo: how did you find out about these sub genres of dubstep music and how would you describe your style ?
TeK Fizzix: By deeply exploring the genre with considerable enthusiasm. When I discovered it I felt like this is the genre I'd been destined to produce. I would describe my style as versatile, but generally leaning toward darker vibes. I almost always have some form of melody but it's not always calm/chill. I always give the subwoofer a good work out.
Robo Jo-Jo: What Medium Do You Prefer Vinyl / MP3 And Why
TeK Fizzix: Right now I prefer WAV or MP3 only because I don't currently have access to whatever they use to produce Vinyls. I also think it's easier to drag and drop a file rather than physically switch a vinyl on a deck.
Robo Jo-Jo: What is it that you love About dubstep and drumstep and all the sub genres of dubstep music?
TeK Fizzix: It's generally quite technical which presents a challenge, and very bassy which I've always loved. The standard kick and snare placements also just feel so right to me. Coming from hiphop/experimental electronic the percussion was very appealing. Not to mention, a genre is just a set of tools, it's what each producer does with those tools that make a movement interesting.
Robo Jo-Jo: What is your top 5 Favorite Movies?
TeK Fizzix: Terminator/Terminator 2 (counting that as one), Sin City, Transformers, Star Wars, and Braveheart.
Robo Jo-Jo: Any New Releases That The Listeners Should Look Out For and when to expect some new productions and hows your album coming along. ?
TeK Fizzix: Those who like the melodic/chill vibe, keep an eye out for Gallant, Odyssey (a collab, will be released by TekFlo), and the Celestial Voyage VIP. For those who like my darker side, look out for Direct Control, Sinistar, and the Contagion Drumstep VIP.
Robo Jo-Jo: Any Advice for Upcoming Artists / DJs / producers?
TeK Fizzix: If you have the hunger to produce, feed it. You will grow and get better as you continue to become more enthusiastic about what you're making. Don't be let down just because you don't sound as refined as professional producers, they didn't start out producing bomb tracks, nobody does! Keep your head up. =)
Robo Jo-Jo: Shout outs?
TeK Fizzix: My amazing girlfriend Piper, My awesome and very supportive friend/brother Zach (he's also the fellow producer in the upcoming Duo "TekFlo"), my parents for conceiving me, and I may not have met you but your music changed my life, Datsik!
Robo Jo-Jo: What is your favorite production that you have produced or producing. ?
TeK Fizzix: I suppose Goliath VIP is the most important because it marked the change from amateur to legitimate sounding dubstep for me. I also really like how Celestial Voyage turned out, notably because it was my first attempt at the DnB genre and it ended up sounding good. I think Cybernetic Stunna has my favorite sub bassline though.
Robo Jo-Jo: How is the scene in your city?
TeK Fizzix: St. Louis seems to be pretty big on electronic music from what I understand. I still find lot of people to be Skrillex-centric though. Skrillex is great but I'm doing my part to educate them on the other amazing artists out there.
Robo Jo-Jo: How do you get your ideas from whats the sickest idea you have done and any new ideas for your newest productions you will be working on and if you had a choice to travel around the world and do a show where would that be?
TeK Fizzix: Great ideas tend to come to me in my sleep or when I sit down in front of the computer to work on a track. A lot of times I start producing a very crappy piece of work. I have tons and tons (probably 1000 or so) works in my project folder, but I make an oath not to release any crappy stuff to you guys. As far as a show, probably just St. Louis for now because that's home for me.
Robo Jo-Jo: Whats your favorite genre of music and do you do any other things with music ?
TeK Fizzix: Dubstep, definitely. I make mixes occasionally, and recently did a Datsik tribute mashup. I also know how to play piano (by ear/memory, I can't read notes) and I hum melodies a lot. I thought about MCing as well, but I have a sad $10 mic and I don't see any reason to MC unless I were a skilled lyricist. I find that I know where words could go and how they should flow, but I never know what words to put there, if that makes any sense. That's one of the big reasons why I choose dubstep over hiphop because the basslines do the talking.
Thank You TeK Fizzix for taking the time and doing this awesome! interview really great stuff. Cant wait for all your new productions and what the future is going to be for you. Cheers and mad respect!.
If you want to hear get all his music and be a fan hear, are TeK Fizzix sites.
TeK Fizzix Sounds tracks on soundcloud. http://soundcloud.com/tekfizzix
TeK Fizzix Youtube page. http://www.youtube.com/user/BassSavagery
TeK Fizzix Fanpage. https://www.facebook.com/DrSav2012
Tek Fizzix Bandcamp. http://doctorsavage.bandcamp.com/
TeK Fizzix Twitter. https://twitter.com/tekfizzix
