Fabian Mazur Explains his Tattoos and New Single [Exclusive Interview]

Fabian Mazur Explains his Tattoos and New Single

9/17/2018

Over the course of almost a decade, you've created songs in so many different styles. More than that, you've created songs with such different tones. On the one hand you have absolute bangers like "When I Drop This" but on the other hand you have fantastically chill and beautiful songs such as "If U Wanted To." Tell us how you combine all of these styles and tones to create what you view as the "Fabian Mazur Brand."
Well I grew up on hip hop, jazz, and rhythm and blues, so I've always had a passion for the softer sides of music. Coming up in the music industry, I can't say that it has always been easy to be able to release both hard and soft records. I try to make sure that you can always hear that it's a "Fabian Mazur" record no matter what type of song it is, and I think that plays a big role in me being able to release both festival-oriented hard tracks and more emotional softer tracks.

How do you maximize your time in the studio?
I think maximizing work flow in the studio is really important but also very different depending on the individual. I used to organize all my stuff, like project files and samples, chronologically, but now I have Splice which pretty much organizes everything for me automatically. It's super helpful for my workflow! My tip for producers trying to maximize their workflow is not necessarily to do what everyone else does, but to actually figure out a structure that works best for you!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Fabian Mazur (@fabianmazur) on Sep 6, 2018 at 11:34am PDT

On your YouTube channel, you have a fairly regular upload schedule consisting of tutorials and vlogs. What can you tell us about the benefits of putting in the time to film and edit that content? What makes it worth your time?
I think my YouTube has enabled me to reach a lot of new fans but also to connect with existing ones. I wish I had more time to actually film and release these videos, but since I do everything myself and each video takes around twenty to thirty hours to film and edit, I do't usually have enough time to do as many as I'd like.

If we're talking about monetary benefit of making videos, the ad revenue from YouTube is around $5.00 per month which doesn't quite cover my expenses, but on the other hand is just enough for me to buy two donuts.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Fabian Mazur (@fabianmazur) on Jul 2, 2018 at 11:29am PDT

At which point would you recommend that a DJ or Producer hire a manager? What are some of the things they should look for and red flags they should avoid when they're conducting their search?
I would recommend that a DJ or producer get a manager when they've reached the point where they can't handle their emails or messages on their own and this is usually the point where they're really blowing up and experiencing exponential growth. I wouldn't have been where I am in my career today without my manager, so for me it has been crucial. However, I do know producers who manage themselves and are doing just fine.

I actually had another management company here in Denmark before I got with my current manager who is from LA. They were basically managing me during the part of my career which was more club-DJ oriented, which didn't really make any sense. They weren't really doing anything for me and I wasn't really making them any income. Moral of the story, consider whether or not it might be too early for you to get a manager.

When searching for a manager I think it's important to find one that is the right fit. For example, if you're making hard bass music why would you even consider a manager who only manages Indie Rock acts. The music industry is all about relations and networking nowadays so that is something that I think you should really keep in mind when searching for someone to bring on your journey!

Could you walk us through your path to monetizing your skills and talent? What balance did you have to strike and what sacrifices did you have to make in order to make a living off of music?
I started really getting into music production during the time I was studying for my degree in Information Science. When I graduated, I went on to do music full-time. Over the past few years I have sacrificed a lot to be able to make a living of my career, especially my social life. Since I have a sample pack company that I run myself, my YouTube channel, my touring and my production career, I don't have a lot of time for other stuff.

To answer the question about how exactly I'm able to support myself, the answer is with my sample packs, shows, and royalties and fees from my music. The hardest part about making a living from music is that the income is HIGHLY variable. Some months you'll make good money, some months you won't. Also, to be truly successful, you'll have to be prepared to invest a lot of that money into your career!

Tell us more about your latest self-released track, "Level Up."
The inspiration for "Level Up" definitely came from the energy I saw at live shows. I was watching live streams from some electronic festival and I noticed how much the crowd reacted to the energy in tracks.

The track itself didn't actually take that long, I'd say about three or four studio sessions. The most challenging part was creating the sound design in the drop because I wanted to create something that was sounding new and fresh while still retaining the bounce of hip hop music

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Fabian Mazur (@fabianmazur) on Sep 17, 2018 at 10:41am PDT

Lastly, tell us about your tattoos! I've heard that it can be quite an addictive activity!
First of all, YES - Getting tattoos is highly addictive.

I got my first tattoo when I was eighteen and now I have around fourteen, I think. They all reflect things that are important to me or things in my life that I went through. My most meaningful one is the piano and note sheet on my left upper arm which is of a song that my mom wrote to me back when I was baby.

I keep coming back for more tattoos not just because I love the artistry of it, but also because I like the idea behind having something meaningful inked on your body forever. It's the ultimate commitment.

A huge thank you to Fabian Mazur for taking the time to answer our questions! Also thank you to Kyle Napier of The Music Elk for making this interview possible!