Image credit: PRESS
DJ Freedo a.k.a Fridolin Walcher is a Swiss music producer that is known for his regular collaborations with German producer Shuko. His latest single ‘So Sick’ sampled from the original Ne-Yo hit via Universal Music will put one on an instant nostalgia train for early 2000’s R&B bangers. The DJ has also produced the renowned single ‘Lush Life’ with singer Zara Larsson along with an official remix of Coldplay’s single ‘Up & Up’. We tapped into the mind of this creative and visionary and we are delighted with the outcome.
Find out more about Freedo below.
What’s your “secret sauce?” What makes your sound stand out?
I would say it is a plus that I always had a broad taste in music. I love mixing different ingredients. That makes me very versatile in terms of genres I work in and I still manage to keep my signature sound so you can hear it’s a Freedo record.
Define a successful day in your eyes.
I’m really grateful to be able to do what I love every day and to be healthy. lf you think about how complex and fragile our human body and the surrounding environment is, isn’t it an amazing achievement just to be alive, wake up and go to bed healthy? My mind though is definitely easier satisfied if I created something, made a track or finished an idea.
What made you decide to pursue a musical career?
It was a gradual process to decide that in Switzerland where I grew up music is not really a career option. it’s maybe something that you do on the side as a hobby. So I listened to the voices that advised me to pursue a “safe” career and went to University to study. In my free time, I made beats and I played DJ sets in clubs in Switzerland on the weekends. When I had my first beat placement on a major rap album in Germany, my DJ career was going well enough to pay my rent and health insurance I quit University to make music full time.
What would you be doing as a career if you never pursued music?
I would probably be a scientist trying to help stop the polar ice caps from melting, or a Wildlife Photographer.
Pros and cons of the industry from your perspective?
I feel there is a sense of community amongst songwriters, artists and producers which is really positive and supportive. When you make music together it’s very personal. You get to know each other very quickly. I definitely made friends while working in the music industry. It’s amazing that it only takes one idea for a song that could change your life completely. And any day could be the day to make that song. But on the other side if you get your hopes up too much and have expectations it can be very frustrating. It takes patience.
Please list some of the most influential albums on your creative outlook and output:
Kanye West – Graduation
Daft Punk – Discovery
Timbaland – Shock Value
Outkast – Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
Fugees – The Score
Bob Marley & The Wailers – Uprising
Tame Impala – Currents
And many more..
What key pieces of gear/software do you use to define your sound?
I always try to use at least one sound that is “out of the box”, one of my odd guitars, flutes or percussion instruments that I sample in Kontakt or Serato Sampler. So I guess making my own sampler instruments is key to my sound. Also, a trusted companion over the years has been my Prophet 08.
Vinyl or CD?
Vinyl!
How has music production changed your outlook on life?
It showed me that anything is possible if you enjoy the process and know where you want to go.
Tell us about your upcoming releases or projects?
I can’t tell much just now but stay tuned for new Freedo singles soon!
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