This week I interviewed FetOo, winner in the “Back To The Moonlight Sonata” remix competition, hosted on the Metalectro blog recently. FetOo is based in France and just had his “Back To The Moonlight Sonata” remix released on the self-titled EP, out on Jet Set Trash Records. I managed to get hold of him for an interview, so let’s find out what else he’s up to…
01. Hi! Would you mind introducing yourself?
Hi, my name is FetOo but you already know that, I’m 23, and live in south-west France.
02. How long are you producing as FetOo and how would you describe your music?
I’ve been producing as FetOo since October 2010 but I produced under other names since 2001. It’s hard to describe my music because when I create, I do not want to restrict myself in a particular style, I let the inspiration do its job.
03. You were recently a winner in the remix competition for Cosmic Sand’s “Back To The Moonlight Sonata” and will get your remix released on the “Back To The Moonlight Sonata” EP. A really nice remix, how did you come up with the idea?
Well, I work a lot with my friend, Asscilator, who told me that there was a very nice track in a contest to remix. So I started to work on it and the inspiration came to me while listening to some of my old tracks that reminded me of the original Cosmic Sand one. I love it by the way and there are really interesting remixes on this EP, it’s really huge!
04. You have been doing quite a few remixes as well as originals recently. Would you say you prefer writing your own tracks or remixing and why?
I like both because they are two different things. I enjoy remixing tracks, I find it as interesting as the process of creation. When you remix something you have to capture the song and make it yours. A song can have many interpretations; I like to give mine to the listeners. When I write my own tracks, I like to push my limits higher and higher every time.
05. What would you say is your biggest music achievement/highlight so far?
I think it’s the “New Era” EP, I worked a lot on this project and I found it interesting to work with my mate Kush Dächt, on the track “Time Travel”. I did receive some negative feedback for it actually as many people thought it was bad dubstep when it was actually a dub track. Anyway it makes me take off every single time I listen to it and I’m very proud of this one. There are 8 tracks and 2 remixes on it and it is a freebie by the way.
06. Most embarrassing/disappointing moment? In regard to your music always…
I just regret that the quality of my old songs is not as good as what I do now. My hard drive with all the projects is dead but the ideas are still there!
07. You are currently working on a couple of new EP’s if I’m not mistaken, tell us a few things about them…
Sure, one of them called “Fuck The Police” and it’s remixes only. It will be ready on August and will be a freebie too. There is also another EP called “Methylamine” which will be more eclectic, some artists are working on remixes for that already. It will be drum’n’bass, dubstep, drumstep and more, it is certainly a very interesting project!
08. I know you used to make rock, funk, orchestral, metal and pretty much all sorts and styles of music before you got into electro. How did you get into electro and what are your main influences that might have helped you shape the FetOo style and sound?
Well, like many people of my generation I discovered that the electronic music scene was more alive than some other scenes. First I went to free parties, to explore a world for which I didn’t know a thing and along the way discovered the innumerable styles. I always had a preference for breakbeat, drum’n’bass and edm though. Since then my way of creating and composing music was forever changed.
09. Have you ever played in a metal/rock band?
Yeah, I’ve played in a few local bands, usually as a drummer or guitarist but I was not really satisfied. I mean, working with a band can be hard if you are not on the same plan, that’s why I chose to work alone.
10. Do you prefer working only with computers/sequencers or do you get your hands dirty playing and recording instruments? Do you use samples and what’s your opinion on sampling and copyright?
Anything that can make a sound pretty much, there is always a way to come up with new sounds. On my tracks there is lot of experimentation with synths and I also play guitar on some tracks. You can also make some really fat bass with just a mic! I sometimes use samples but less than I used to, I think I’ll finish with no samples. My point on copyright is that artists only worry about money and not about creativity, music has to stay an art and business has to stay business, but we all know it’s too late for music to be 100% creative.
11. Do you ever run out of creative ideas when producing?
It has never happened so far. When I don’t work on tracks I experiment and test new things. I also do work on re-mastering on my old tracks and try to improve them. And by the way, I’m producing a Trance EP as well.
12. So, what is music for you and what do you think about the way the music industry is changing?
Music is my life! I don’t really care that much about the music industry. All I see is musicians, talented musicians for some. The word industry says a lot by itself I think…
13. What do you think about today’s mainstream music?
Well I don’t think a lot about it, all my friends keep saying: you know this guy?, you know this band?, but I don’t really have the time to listen to music… I prefer spending it on making my own.
14. Do you believe that an electronic music artist can earn his/her living from music nowadays?
Absolutely! Everybody knows that the shows play the biggest part for an artist’s income but you can do many other things like mastering other artist’s tracks, teaching music, recording bands, working on other artist’s shows, promotion and much more! There are many things you can do!
15. Are you signed with any record label? What plans do you have for the rest of 2011 besides finishing the two EP’s you’re working on? (live shows, releases, remixes, etc)
Not yet but I hope this will happen soon! I’m already working on the next two EP’s. I also work a lot with Dirty Job who is making a FetOo VST as we speak and it’s going to be awesome!
16. What are you listening to lately? Any tracks/artists you recommend?
Okay, I strongly recommend Dirty Job, great guy to work with! Hard worker, we are producing an EP together, you can listen to our tracks on soundcloud.
17. If you could pick any artists you want to collaborate with, whom would you pick?
Noisia, Dilemn, Deadmau5, for sure!
18. What do you like doing when not in the studio? What’s your favorite hobby besides music?
Hum… Music!
19. What do you think about the Metalectro blog and the music featured on it?
Well, I discovered many things on it. It’s clear, with good sounds and vibes. I recently found the mashup section as well, awesome! It can take a long time to view everything on the site and it’s all good content, so it’s perfect!
20. Anything else you’d like to mention and we forgot to ask?
Thanks to you Zak, to Jet Set Trash, Cosmic Sand and everyone I worked with, big up!!!