Frythm paints Illustrious soundscapes and melds them together to form a world that takes you for a ride like a magic carpet floating high above the clouds. I caught up with Frythm earlier this week to talk about the album, the production process, and what it was like making the album. Read the full interview below.
What was it like working on your 2nd full-length album? Did you find any unique challenges in comparison to writing your first album? [Brian]
[Frythm] It was honestly very liberating and the timing felt just right. It had been two years since Aurora. I knew I was finally comfortable with the new sound the “Frythm” project had taken. With Aurora I followed a theme, each of the songs withheld a similar feeling and essence. With Flow, it was me just having fun and being myself. There were no expectations with the record, just me trusting in my own intuition. It felt like a true representation of me, and I think that’s what made the creation of the record so special.
What is the meaning behind the title Flow? How would you want the younger generation to interpret it? [Brian]
[Frythm] During the creation of the project I had read into many ancient teachings. I was able to learn a lot about the “flow state” which basically became a staple for the direction of the project. In short, the “flow state” is where the body acts without much thought, and tasks are accomplished effortlessly. That feeling really resonated with me and helped inspire the creation of the project. The name “Flow” just fits.
I want the younger generations, especially young musicians, to feel creative freedom with anything they do in life. Music doesn’t need to be limited to one specific genre or sound, and I think that’s when the best art/music is created. People deserve freedom of expression in life and in art.
How has the response to Flow been so far? How would you compare it to your first album, Aurora? [Brian]
[Frythm] The response on Flow has been incredible. I feel so grateful that I have a platform to share music that is a part of myself, freely with the world. I’ve had the honor of getting some really cool blog/playlist placements that would make 19-year-old me extremely proud. It truly feels full circle, and I’m looking forward to everything to come. I was a lot younger and still finding my sound when I wrote Aurora. With Flow, I feel a true sense of self in the music. Each holds a very special chapter in my life.
How would you describe your sound? [Brian]
[Frythm] I’d say chill electronic with hip hop and indie influences, but it’s hard to categorize. I grab so many different influences from sounds all across the musical spectrum. Lately, I’ve been resonating with “free form music.” No genre, just feeling.
Going into the production process for the album, was there anything specific that inspired you to creatively “flow” in this direction? [Brian]
[Frythm] When I started writing flow I had an idea of what the vibe would be, but I didn’t expect it to come so naturally. Living in LA really helped shape the sound. There were so many amazing shows I was going to while experiencing all walks of life. I wanted to create a free world similar to my surroundings that pulled from different ideas but still fit together cohesively. “Flow” represents the oneness where the ego fall’s away and the body takes full control of creation without thought or logic, a trust in pure intuition. The sounds and curation of each track were a conglomerate of my subconscious’s natural actions and surroundings.
What was the production process for the album like? [Brian]
[Frythm] I wrote the entire record in a tiny bedroom in Lincoln heights. I remember always having to turn down music by 7 pm every day so the neighbors wouldn’t bang on the walls or complain to the landlord. My mic actually busted halfway through the process and I had to tape the shell back together because I couldn’t afford a new one at the time. There were many long sleepless nights in my headphones writing, while my manager/best friend Oliver sat in our living room plotting all of the backend details for the record. I knew that I wanted to implement my voice not only as a storytelling tool, but also an instrument. I used a Korg Minilogue, Moog Mother 32, and a Les Paul electric guitar paired with external effects and Ableton to craft Flow. The production process also stretched beyond just music, my brother Jordan Pena (aka Woodseye) directed, edited, and filmed all of the visual promo, and future promo to come. The production effort on the album was truly a team effort with “Soulfulxnature.”
The past few weeks have been busy I’m sure, what’s next for Frythm? [Brian]
[Frythm] Expect a few music videos and collaborations with some other artists on “Soulfulxnature.” There is also a Flow remix album in the world ;). Since shows are canceled we’ve been redirecting our focus into bringing the best visually appealing art to the comfort of your home. Thank you for having me!
Thank you for sharing with us! We look forward to hearing more from you in the future. [Brian]
Raised in the desert land of El Paso, Texas, Matthew Pena (aka Frythm) was exposed to new styles and genres of music via his mother, a dancer. As a result, he was always fascinated by sounds and rhythmic beats - a passion that was only fuelled as he began attending his first classical piano classes at a young age. By 17, Matthew was gifted a second-hand desktop, which allowed him to pursue his creative gut feeling and downloaded a copy of FL Studio and started making music.
Receiving inspiration from several sources that help tie his unique and organic sound together Frythm has the likes of James Blake, Toro y Moi, Lapalux, Bonobo, Schlomo playing on his speakers. His own resulting sound pays homage to these influences with the likes of James Blake, Toro y Moi, and Spooky Black springing to mind, while at the same time striking its own unique chord.
Like a cool glass of water, Flow refreshes the listener in a gentle, calm way. The ethereal soundscapes take their time, making use of negative spaces within the music, allowing for pauses and deep symbolic breaths of sound. While the occasional vocals occur (as you’ll find in ‘Colors’ and ‘Demons’), the majority of the album allows the music production style to speak for itself. Frythm manages to strike a delicate balance as he translates his own mental calmness into the album while providing enough flourishes and adornments to captivate the outside world.
Frythm reveals how he was able to create the tranquil album, “I spent weeks reading into the philosophy of “flow” after coming off a few months of writer’s block I entered a deep meditative state. I came back with a repeated voice inside my head telling me to look within and let my body take full control of the creative process. I instantly began writing the record, just moving naturally not giving music deep thought or logic to the process of things, and just allowing it to just happen. This was the easiest time I’ve ever had writing a record and felt like everything came to be so natural. The ‘Flow’ album is a conglomerate of my subconscious’s natural actions.”
Flow Tracklist:
1. Shade My Blue
2. Colors
3. PEACEONEARTH
4. Rose Quartz
5. Traffic Jam (Intermission)
6. Like A Flower
7. Demons
8. Your Soul
9. For the Ancients
10. Intuition
11. La Luna
