Canadian producer/DJ Factor Chandelier has been making a solid name for himself in the States since 2009 after teaming up with Fake Four, Inc. and Myka 9 of Freestyle Fellowship. As producer for Myka's sixth solo album 1969, the 32-year-old proved he could hang with the big dogs. In support of the album, he hit the road with Myka, founder of Fake Four Inc. Ceschi Ramos and Anticon Records co-founder Sole for a sizable North American tour. Factor's discography is so long, it seems like he never stops working. In addition to countless collaborations, his solo albums include: Time Invested (Off Beat Production, 2002), Con-Soul Confessions (Off Beat Production, 2003), Three (Side Road, 2003), Heights (Side Road, 2005), Chandelier (Fake Four Inc., 2008), 13 Stories (A Prelude) (Side Road, 2010), Lawson Graham (Fake Four Inc., 2010), and Woke Up Alone (Fake Four Inc., 2013). Fast-forward to 2015 and Factor is still working with Ceschi and Myka. In fact, he has two albums coming out with them this year. He's currently on tour in Canada with Evil Ebenezer. Factor had some time to talk indie labels, touring and his upcoming projects with Ceschi and Myka 9.
RAPstation (Kyle Eustice): When did you first fall in love with music? Do you remember the first album you got?
Factor: I was always playing basketball while growing up and the older dudes we balled with would always bump hip-hop. I don't know specifically what my first album was, but I do remember when I first heard The Chronic and Doggystyle, everything changed for me.
You've done a lot of work with Myka 9. In fact, I've booked both of you on a few occasions. How did you first meet?
Yes! I met Myka through Ceschi. He had done a feature for a song with him and I was talking with Ces about releasing my album Chandelier on Fake Four Inc. I had the whole album done (I thought) then Ceschi asked me if there was anything I wanted to add and I said something like, 'I can't really think of anything else, except maybe someone like Myka 9 on this trippy smokey interlude.' Then he was like, 'Dude hit him up. Here is his number' and the rest was history.
I can't remember if we talked about this or not, but this: http://www.laweekly.com/music/doing-drugs-lots-of-drugs-with-myka-9-2405439. I really thought the writer was in poor taste. Some people thought it was great. Looking back, how do you feel about it today?
For me, it was definitely something I learned from. Myka and I have a brand new album ready to drop in 2015.
Tell me about Side Road Records. When did you set up this imprint and who is on the roster?
Side Road Records was something we started in 2003 and it was a way for us to drop our music independently in Saskatchewan. I am still doing some select releases with Side Road, but with my intense tour schedule running a label can be difficult and honestly my strength is the creative side.
Do you think independent labels are the wave of the future or is it right NOW?
Yes, I do think indie labels are more relevant then ever before. The industry changes so much so fast you have to stay on top of your hustle.
How important is touring these days?
Touring is one of the most important things you can do. Connecting with fans, rocking dope shows is what it's all about. It can be the difference between a successful album and an album the goes unnoticed.
I finally got to see Ceschi after his little "summer vacation." Will you be collaborating with him anytime soon? What's your relationship with Fake Four like today?
Ceschi and myself have a full-length album done called Broken Bone Ballads that drops on Fake Four Inc. in early April. I produced the entire album and it is some extremely honest original music. I am very proud of it. Ceschi killed it.
Factor: The RAPstation Interview
Canadian producer/DJ Factor Chandelier has been making a solid name for himself in the States since 2009 after teaming up with Fake Four, Inc. and Myka 9 of Freestyle Fellowship. As producer for Myka's sixth solo album 1969, the 32-year-old proved he could hang with the big dogs. In support of the album, he hit the road with Myka, founder of Fake Four Inc. Ceschi Ramos and Anticon Records co-founder Sole for a sizable North American tour. Factor's discography is so long, it seems like he never stops working. In addition to countless collaborations, his solo albums include: Time Invested (Off Beat Production, 2002), Con-Soul Confessions (Off Beat Production, 2003), Three (Side Road, 2003), Heights (Side Road, 2005), Chandelier (Fake Four Inc., 2008), 13 Stories (A Prelude) (Side Road, 2010), Lawson Graham (Fake Four Inc., 2010), and Woke Up Alone (Fake Four Inc., 2013). Fast-forward to 2015 and Factor is still working with Ceschi and Myka. In fact, he has two albums coming out with them this year. He's currently on tour in Canada with Evil Ebenezer. Factor had some time to talk indie labels, touring and his upcoming projects with Ceschi and Myka 9.
RAPstation (Kyle Eustice): When did you first fall in love with music? Do you remember the first album you got?
Factor: I was always playing basketball while growing up and the older dudes we balled with would always bump hip-hop. I don't know specifically what my first album was, but I do remember when I first heard The Chronic and Doggystyle, everything changed for me.
You've done a lot of work with Myka 9. In fact, I've booked both of you on a few occasions. How did you first meet?
Yes! I met Myka through Ceschi. He had done a feature for a song with him and I was talking with Ces about releasing my album Chandelier on Fake Four Inc. I had the whole album done (I thought) then Ceschi asked me if there was anything I wanted to add and I said something like, 'I can't really think of anything else, except maybe someone like Myka 9 on this trippy smokey interlude.' Then he was like, 'Dude hit him up. Here is his number' and the rest was history.
I can't remember if we talked about this or not, but this: http://www.laweekly.com/music/doing-drugs-lots-of-drugs-with-myka-9-2405439. I really thought the writer was in poor taste. Some people thought it was great. Looking back, how do you feel about it today?
For me, it was definitely something I learned from. Myka and I have a brand new album ready to drop in 2015.
Tell me about Side Road Records. When did you set up this imprint and who is on the roster?
Side Road Records was something we started in 2003 and it was a way for us to drop our music independently in Saskatchewan. I am still doing some select releases with Side Road, but with my intense tour schedule running a label can be difficult and honestly my strength is the creative side.
Do you think independent labels are the wave of the future or is it right NOW?
Yes, I do think indie labels are more relevant then ever before. The industry changes so much so fast you have to stay on top of your hustle.
How important is touring these days?
Touring is one of the most important things you can do. Connecting with fans, rocking dope shows is what it's all about. It can be the difference between a successful album and an album the goes unnoticed.
I finally got to see Ceschi after his little "summer vacation." Will you be collaborating with him anytime soon? What's your relationship with Fake Four like today?
Ceschi and myself have a full-length album done called Broken Bone Ballads that drops on Fake Four Inc. in early April. I produced the entire album and it is some extremely honest original music. I am very proud of it. Ceschi killed it.
