Whether it be the new HBO show Westworld that blends western with sci-fi or fusion food that brings two cultures together in the same dish, merging various elements in a unique way often leads to success. Hybrids thrive. The same goes for Atlanta duo the Pheels. Their debut EP likeWise mixes together a collage of genres to create a brand of avant-R&B with a vibe as futuristic and as it is nostalgic. The Pheels manage to sound like the best of both worlds and beyond.
We spoke with member Curtis Fields to find out about how their collaboration began, the Atlanta music scene and Pokemon GO.
Hometown/Homebase: Atlanta, GA
How did you originally meet? How did the collaboration begin?
We met through a mutual friend in EastATL about three years ago or so. We've honestly played more video games together than made music at this point. We actually only started making music as a kinda time killer while house-sitting.
What's your song-writing process like?
It depends on how we feel. Sometimes, there's no direction. Sometimes, the song is done before I start recording. Phil does all the production and I do all the writing, so it's pretty streamlined.
Over how long did the EP come together?
A week.
What do you want listeners to take away from your music?
My goal is to start conversations. I kinda hope that any song I write is basically a message that someone wishes they could say to someone else. Like, "French Toast" is what a guy in the club might wanna say to this chick on the dance floor.
What's it like to be a musician in Atlanta? There's a lot of diverse music coming out of the city, what do you think fuels that and is there a cohesive music scene or is it splintered?
It's weird. The city is only so big, and the culture is pretty clique-y. That being said, it's kinda crazy how much overlap is created between disparate genres. It's like everyone is floating in and out of the same creative spaces, so there's more cohesion than there may seem. The struggle for musicians now seems to be setting themselves apart against the backdrop of the Trap scene. The easiest way to do that is bend genres, so collaborations become prevalent. It's weird.
What were your record collections like growing up? What artists soundtracked your early youth and when was music played?
I didn't really have a collection. I grew up without cable TV. If you were around in the '90s, you know that meant I had to entertain myself... A lot. I basically listened to the radio like people watch tv. My parents had really distinct tastes in music. My mom is into soul, jazz and like, blues. My dad is into Queen, the Eagles and anything else in between. I moved around a lot and so between the new flavor a of each city's radio culture and my parents driving us from city to city, I kinda got a sampler platter of "Americana." The first CD I ever got was Supa Dupa Fly by Missy, followed by Nirvana In Utero, then Donnell Jones Where I Wanna Be. I followed each of these rabbit hole albums deeper into each genre.
What does "the creators class" mean to you? How do you think it impacts your output and drive?
Creators class to me is saying that there's something new being created. It's like there's always a new way to approach a problem. So creators class is just a think tank. We're trying to make something new within the same eight-note scale that's existed since the beginning of time.
You've been on the road a lot lately, what have been some memorable experiences?
The road is my favorite. I love seeing new people and people watching. Performing is something I've been doing since I was in 6th grade, so there's that. I really remember the reactions from the perspective of the stage. My favorite is when people can't tell exactly what they're watching, but they can't look away. It's like magic and I feel magical AF. Playing Pokemon GO in NY is an experience.
What's next in the months and year ahead for the Pheels? What are your goals overall?
We're gonna be on the road a bunch and working on some more stuff for you guys! Overall, I just wanna make people feel something. I wanna make music that says exactly how someone else feels. I want them to hear our stuff and say, "This is how I've felt for so long, but I couldn't put it into words. Thank you for giving my voice life..." Then, go play it for the person they wish they could say it to.
from Myspace - Editorial http://ift.tt/2dYzias
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