CHANNEL TRES GOES WITH THE FEELING WHEN MAKING MUSIC
Growing up in LA has shaped the man and musician Channel Tres is today and is a direct reflection in his music. From hip-hop, to funk and jazz, it’s impossible to put him in a box or get bored with his music. Although Channel Tres is a new artist, just about everyone who is someone has either worked with him or has heard is music as a producer and now artist. We caught up with him to learn his story and find out what he has in store for the world in the future.
Wardrobe: Diesel
FEATURE INTERVIEW:
What are some of your favorite memories growing up in Compton?
Some of my favorite memories growing up in Compton, some of the block parties that my family used to have. I remember when my Auntie gave us some of her food stamps and let us go buy candy with it and we used to go get the 50 cent ice cream. That to us was all very exciting. My mom used to take us to the Compton swap meet in a little wagon and I remember buying mix tapes and some of my favorite CDs.
What was your earliest introduction to hip-hop?
It was my uncle, he would take me to school and pick me up from school when my Granny couldn’t and he would just be blasting music. He had like subs and all that. I felt like the coolest kid whenever he picked me up.
He would play Eminem, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, DJ Quik, stuff like that. So that was like some of my first memories of hip hop and then my first hip hop song that I memorized was “Find a Way” by A Tribe Called Quest.
Jacket: Dingyun Zhang Necklace: Ashton Micheal Hoodie: Diesel Tank: Dion Lee Shorts: Heurueh Boots: Dr. Martens
Early on in your career, you began producing for a lot of heavy hitters in the industry. Talk to us about how this happen and how this time shaped your own career.
This happened by my childhood friend that I grew up with, his name is August08, rest in peace. When I left for college, I had started producing heavy and I would just send him beats and during this time he got signed as a songwriter. After I graduated and came back to LA. He would invite me to studio sessions and we would be writing a lot of pop songs at first.
And being in those sessions taught me how to write, produce, and really hone in on my craft, playing different chords and things like that. And then I met a lot of different people through those situations. I had a chance to produce directly with certain artists and, you know, I would just watch how they move and then it informed me on how to move. I would see how they cut records and then I just started taking those strategies and applying them to myself and it all just rubbed off on me.
How does being from LA influence your music sonically?
I think with LA you know, you listen to a lot of the LA records by artists like DJ Quik, Dr. Dre, and some other people too. I draw a lot of influence from George Clinton and Prince. And so just on that, I got into funk music, you know, I got into Leads and different things like that. It just influenced me to do funny things with my voice, do weird things with the production, like, you know, swing the drums, different things like that.
Sunglasses: Acne Studios Wardrobe: Guess Jeans
Some people may not know that you don’t solely make traditional hip-hop music but also Electronic & Experimental Hip-Hop. What made you venture outside the box and try different music genres?
I enjoy all types of music and although my base is hip hop, I like to experiment with different things. And how I make some of my music is influenced by jazz and different styles of music. I really just go with the feeling. And my feelings change depending on what I’m experiencing in life and I just try to be honest with those feelings and keep those in the records, you know, and then I guess it just comes out as experimental, but I’m not necessarily trying to be experimental. It just happens that way.
This summer you released your latest project “Head Rush” which features 17 songs. Talk to us about the process of creating this album and your current favorite song from this project.
I haven’t been an artist for that long. With “Head Rush“, I was dealing with the changes in my love life, the changes of going from survival mode into like being able to take care of myself. And also some of the trauma that I’ve experienced with losing my great grandparents at a young age and losing a best friend while creating this project.
And so “Head Rush” just dives into a lot of those emotions and a lot of those beats were made at certain times and in those emotions. “Head Rush” is a chapter in my life where I was really working through a lot of trauma and so I could be a better person and a better artist. So I used “Head Rush” as a chance to emote on a lot of those issues and make it into music. I’m really happy about that project.
Sunglasses: Acne Studios Wardrobe: Guess Jeans Shoes: Diesel
You’ve worked with so many people like Kaytranada, Ty Dolla $ign, Tyler, The Creator & Tinashe just to name a few. If you could work with anyone in the industry, who would it be?
If I could work with anyone in the industry right know it would be Kendrick Lamar or Pharrell. Those are people that really impacted my life.. musically and just my thought process in general. Kendrick was one of the reasons I left LA and went to college. I heard him in an interview, talk about leaving your surroundings and getting to know new things and venturing out into the world. Pharrell, with his process of making music and some of the things he’s done informed me on how to be a better producer, person, and musician.
What type of song would you feature them on?
With Pharrell, I would want to get some drums or get a beat from him and then add my touches on the beat. And get some background vocals. I love his oohs and ahhs, so that would be really dope to get some backgrounds from him. And then Kendrick, I need a nice 16. But I also love Kendrick’s singing voice, so it’d be fun to get a singing hook from him. But a 16 from Kendrick for sure.
Sunglasses: Acne Studios Wardrobe: Guess Jeans Shoes: Diesel
You’re currently on tour right now with Kaytranada. Talk about your experience so far and what cities you’re most looking forward to visiting.
This tour has been great. Kaytranada has been an artist that I’ve listened to and studied for years and seeing his growth has really been inspiring for me as a musician, but also being able to take part in it and be able to support him on this tour. I’m just learning a lot about how it is being in bigger venues. Having a bunch of people know your songs, he’s really built a solid fan base and that’s something I want to do. I want to be able to have these big tours one day, so it’s just really great to see it up close and to be able to call him a friend as well. And just be able to absorb all of this energy and just really learn.
How would you define your fashion style?
I would define my fashion style as Miles Davis meets Prince meets Lenny Kravitz, but also meets the West Coast. I try to mix a lot of that stuff. And then church really influenced my style. I grew up with my great grandparents and so I really love boots and dress shoes and different things like that. So that really influenced my style.
Top: Dion Lee Pants: Kody Phillips Shoes: Gucci
What are a few things you’re never leaving the house without?
I’m never leaving the house without my Goyard bag, headphones, hand sanitizer, and my cellphone.
What is your favorite piece of jewelry?
My favorite piece of jewelry right now are these two pinky rings I got. I bought them from Dover Street Market in Los Angeles. And that’s just been my favorite pieces to wear.
Sometimes you can be seen busting a dance move here and there on stage and in your visuals. Have you always loved dancing or is it something that comes over you in the moment?
I’ve always been a dancer, just from dancing at the cookout. But also I took dance in high school and dancing was a way for me to, not join a gangs. Krump and clown dancing took over LA when I was growing up. And I joined the crew and like that was like one of the things that really kept me out of trouble. And kept me around some positive people.
Jacket: Dingyun Zhang Necklace: Ashton Micheal Hoodie: Diesel Tank: Dion Lee Shorts: Heurueh Boots: Dr. Martens
When you’re not working on music, what does a typical self-care day look like for you?
I’m big on exfoliation. I’m big on not talking, cause I’m always talking and writing songs, so I’m big on just being quiet. I love binge watching movies and different documentaries. I like to find old concert videos and study them. I love hanging out with my dogs. I love hanging out with my girl and just having family time. I’m pretty tidy, so I love cleaning up and just keeping everything in order.
What’s your favorite place to grab food when you’re back home in LA?
Right now, I’m meal prepping, so I’m really into grocery shopping. I like to go to this coffee spot called Broom Street in Silver Lake, but for the most part when I’m at home, I’m really just cooking my own food. That’s been a practice that’s been really valuable to me over the last two years.
Jacket: Dingyun Zhang Necklace: Ashton Micheal Hoodie: Diesel Tank: Dion Lee Shorts: Heurueh Boots: Dr. Martens
Besides being on tour, what else do you have planned for the rest of 2024?
When I get off tour with Kaytranada, I’m going to Europe and the UK for my Head Rush Tour. And been working on some new music. After that, I want to go on vacation somewhere. Maybe Mexico and just lay low for a while and then bring in the New Year with my family. I was on a strict diet for the whole year, so around Christmas time, I’ll be able to let loose and eat what I want and just chill with my family.
TEAM CREDITS:
Editor-in-Chief: Prince Chenoa
Feature Editor: Taylor Winter Wilson (@taylorwinter)
Cover Art Design: Carlos Graciano (@sadpapi666)
Photographer: Michelle G. Gonzales (@enfoque_lumiere)
Wardrobe Stylist: Von Ford (@thevonford)
Grooming: Alexa Hernandez (@alexahernandez.xyz)
