808s meet improvisation, the saxophone flows like a rapper—Grimy distorted trap beats, frantic free jazz improvs, limitless vibes. Read our discussion with the talented artist below!
Describe your sound in 3 words
I wouldn’t describe my sound in 3 words, It’s a multi layered sound, fully influenced by the history of black American music. Quite difficult to do.
Tell us a few things about Free Trap. What is the main idea behind it?
The term Trap Jazz already exist and the term is not accurate in my opinion, there are def trap elements but i’m not catching the jazz elements, the term free trap is to separate from the term trap jazz which has very little jazz in it. Jazz is heavily influenced by the art of improv, taking an unplanned solo on the spot. Free Jazz is a popular type of jazz from the 60’s. terms like “free game,” “free jazz” it’s all black expression. The word free is a play on a few things, the term trap is directly related to trap music. Free trap is literally a mix of trap and jazz or trap and live improvised music. We have the 808, a simple loop to play over (my sax represents a rapper in this case), if you listen to my sax like it’s a rapper you may have a better chance of hearing the vision.
How did you come up with the name for the record?
Live drums are on every track. If one were to say “this isn’t trap” that would be accurate in as much as it’s not pure trap, but take the sax out, all the horns, what does it sound like than?
You blend numerous different genres. Which artists or musical influences have had the biggest impact on your sound, and how do you pay homage to them in your work?
It’s all interpretation, I could have the same exact influences as many people but my interpretation could be very different. I’m not trying to blend numerous genres per se, I basically create what I perceive to be a funky drum beat, I don’t censor myself, I go with the first thing I write and keep adding parts until it sounds right. In my mind i’m making a fun beat to solo over, that’s the jist.
I could simply have my friend add guitar cause I want another layer in general and now it sounds like rock with the guitar influence
Is improvisation a talent or a skill?
Both. But what it is, is really just fluently speaking a language. We don’t plan our conversations or read a script whenever we are hanging out with friends. You just have to be good at speaking the musical language and master a specific dialect.
Your motto is ‘I play energy, not notes.’ Tell us the most powerful album you wish you had composed yourself.
I still haven’t composed it, it doesn’t exist yet.
If the music of Nathan-Paul was a film, which film would that be?
I don’t think it exist yet lol, very hard question to fully answer
What advice would you give to your younger self?
You are perfect, go further with what you are doing. Divine music instincts you have.
Thank you!
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