Exclusive Interview with 'CARTER FOX'

producer and bassist Since the age of 15, Carter Fox has worked as a musician, songwriter, producer, and artist, progressing from performing in Philadelphia-area bars and clubs to performing alongside artists like Jeffrey Osborne, Patti LaBelle, and the Isley Brothers in theaters, arenas, and stadiums around the globe. He has collaborated with award-winning, illustrious, and incredible musicians and producers like Freddie Jackson, Leon Huff (of Gamble & Huff), Pablo Batista, and David Ivory. He is the world-famous bassist Gerald Veasley’s protege. He makes a comeback with the release of his brand-new song, Space Island, on September 22, 2022, to mark the start of fall and the autumnal equinox.
The trio of guitarist Ethan Stauffer, pianist Joe Kenney, and Fox recently released the single Chopin Conchilto, a chillhop interpretation of Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor. The single is their second joint effort. Josh Mitchell, a director, also shot the corresponding video in Schwenksville, Pennsylvania’s Everloft Studios in one take.
Carter Fox’s ‘chill’ approach to music is what sets his discography apart. Carter Fox makes music that inspires and motivates people to feel good while pursuing their dreams to improve the world around them, ranging from downtempo chill-hop to even fusing in experimental jazz. Carter Fox, who has a passion for fusing space and music, drew inspiration for each song on this EP either from astronomical observations or actual scientific discoveries. With his music, Carter Fox expertly accomplishes his goal of taking the listener to another planet. Listen to his single ‘Space Island’ and the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?

CARTER FOX: I grew up outside the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in a suburb called Lansdale, and honestly growing up around and then in Philly (I moved to the city officially when I was 18 for college and never left) really has influenced me and how I’ve gotten started and grown as a musician. I went to high school with a lot of talented people of a variety of fields (Super Bowl Champion/Denver Bronco Brandon McManus and I graduated together, pop songstress Rozes and her older brothers (of the band Bel Heir) were below and above me by a few years, Anthony Nuccio who tours the world in musicals, fronting bands, and doing awesome entertaining things was a year ahead of me, and so many talented people of other creative, visual, business arts that I just can’t even name.

I picked up the upright bass when I was 9 after originally wanting to play the cello but fell in love with the behemoth of an instrument after a demo during a school day. I would be trained in classical music, and lightly in jazz before breaking my wrist in 2002. After a slight pause, on the day I got my cast off, I got my very first electric bass guitar (a beautiful ruby red Ibanez Soundgear 4 string I still have)

2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?

CARTER FOX: I took lessons throughout grade school high school, and college, but also mainly self-taught in the production world. Shoutout to all my teachers over the years: Mrs. Souders, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Marcopol, Mr. Neighthardt, Mr. Stark, Kjell Benner, Billy Childs, and Gerald Veasley! And of course the many teachers, artists, and people who taught me many more things in life.

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘CARTER FOX’?

CARTER FOX: What a great question! Well to start with part 2 of that. ‘Carter Fox’ is a my name gifted to me by my parents. My whole life I’ve received compliments on it (hopefully I’m living up to the hype…) but I always have to credit mom and dad. Good, no, great work! And I use it because in many groups I’ve been in and formed, when I’ve tried to develop a name, it kept coming back to ‘use your nam. So I did!

My first and strongest music influences… when I think about it, I go back to the very first CD album I owned, or correctly was gifted. The Beach Boys had a compilation I received when I was 5 or 6, and I LOVED that music. And as I’ve grown up, the influence of Brian Wilson as a songwriter and performer to the production techniques employed on Pet Sounds and others really played into my musical choices. I then really fell in love with smooth jazz artists like Dave Koz and Grover Washington, Jr, and had the honor of becoming the pupil of the legendary bassist Gerald Veasley. Since then, I’ve come to really love all kinds of music, because obviously the music I put out now is not quite in that realm. But I think what I do is an evolution on jazz, a different level of it. And continuing to bring more genres together to create something new is what I love to do.

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

CARTER FOX: I hope people resonate with the grooves of my music. That it can help you relax, chill out, bob your head about. And that the instruments are having a conversation with each other and with you, the listener. Another element is the inspiration… most of my music is inspired by space, science, or video games, with an overarching theme of ‘community and truth’. Essentially combining of all of this gives you my personal philosophy and credo, “Travel soulfully”. Most of all, I hope people just enjoy it!

I would describe my sound as ‘chill instrumental space beats’, and I try not to crack up every time I say that to someone in person.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as CHILLFI/ChillHOP?

CARTER FOX:

Ah yes, the learning phase. It can be an arduous, but rewarding one. And I have to agree 100% that my sound developed from first listening, then learning by emulating, then by just creating. But at the same time I have to admit, my sound comes from a strange place, meaning that in all honestly, a lot of my work was attempts to make music that sounds completely different than what I made. In a lot of cases, I was attempting to make a radio-friendly smooth jazz song, or a pop beat, and just in my own skills and tendencies, end up where I do. In fact, I would love (and it’s a goal) to just learn so much more producing, which again, is making me jump right into that learning pool.

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?

CARTER FOX:

Music is the most powerful force in the universe. You know the cosmic microwave background radiation? The ‘curvature’ or layout of the very universe? Believed to have been the result of a sound wave rippling through the primordial sludge of the universe. That is truly AMAZING and tells you how powerful and influential sound can be. The same can be happening on the conscious and subconscious levels of the mind when hearing chords, melodies, harmonies, music! With that said, I think music can be a functional tool for change, for culture, for spiritual purposes, and purely for entertainment. As my music is inspired by science, positivity, and science, I do try to stay true to myself when sharing it and expressing it. When people are listening, say something ‘good’. But sometimes, I like to share a song about the Lord of the Rings with no other reason, too!

7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

CARTER FOX:

I am fulfilled when I play music. When I play by myself in my little studio, when I rehearse with a band playing my or their music, when I perform a show for 1, 5, 500, 5000 people, I am fulfilled. When I am creating and involved with musical pursuits, I feel better than anything else. I just know that is my path. And I have faith that through my handwork, ambition, and perseverance, I’ll continue to grow and share my music with more people all over the world.

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

CARTER FOX:

I typically start with some chord ideas. Whether I’m doing little 11th chords on the bass or stuff on the keyboard or programming out ideas or sampling something, I usually start with something that makes me ‘react.’ Then I just let my ears guide me, adding some percussive stuff or some additional chordal/harmonic ideas, eventually getting some nice drum groove in there. I typically get that much laid down then add bass, then melodic stuff. Sometimes I have a mood or idea in my head of what it’s about that help shapes my sonic choices, and sometimes I paint the picture then figure out what it looks like. But as far as when I know it’s finished… typically it’s when I’ve bounced it and decided at that moment ‘THAT’S IT!’ (Which could be after how many hours of tweaking and all that). In the era of technology the way it is, we’re not worried about tape space and about of takes, we can build as long as we want. So if you’re not careful, you’ll never put anything out. I heard a wise man say ‘Abandon perfection in place for greatness’. Get your music out!

Of course I say all of this and sometimes it’s just a completely different, in the moment process.

9. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

CARTER FOX: I’m super proud of this: Having my own music that I made and released and pushed myself generate millions of streams. Specifically closing in on 2,000,000 on Spotify. Eclipse, written about, yes eclipses, but also the game Minecraft, was the 9th single I put out from my album Cartercraft, and if I didn’t decided to release those songs as individual singles, Eclipse may never (well it definitely wouldn’t have) gotten the love it, and I may not have gotten the love I got, and lots of things would be different for me both mentally and musically. I even have a plaque to commemorate it, not because I want to show that off, but because it really does help remind me that I did ‘something’, otherwise I quickly forget and look towards the next thing.

10. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?

CARTER FOX: To be honest, though I definitely always see hate (if there is any) and do wear my heart on my sleeve, I don’t let it bother me. Back in high school, I was bullied by these other kids who were my older brothers age for pursuing my dream and making it happen for myself (and they said I wasn’t even a ‘parody of what a musician should be’). That was my first experience with it, and it was on Facebook and in the real world since we were in high school, and it was not fun or good in the least. It really hurt me. But, after much drama, and talking to my mentors to learn that having a hater typically means you’re onto something, I took it in stride. I still have a printout of the comment on a wall, but I have wrote over it ‘I win!’ With my signature. After all, the only way to lose it to quit, and they don’t deserve that satisfaction.

11. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?

CARTER FOX: Oh I do love creating in the studio. Freedom, by yourself (or the crew, but you know what I mean), just creating different things. But I will go with interaction with a live audience. It’s a high like no other. When they are feeling your music, when you can vibe off their energy, there’s magic in the air!

12. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?

CARTER FOX: Personally, no. I hope they enjoy it. I hope they come up with fantastical stories and feelings about my music that would make me want to explore it further! I have my own stories and interpretations of it, but I’m just me. And I don’t just say this. When I work with other creatives on artwork or videos, the initial thing I bring up is if they have their own vision from the music. If they do, I want to hear it, want to pursue it (if it makes sense…. Can’t be afraid to say ‘no’ either). But I truly love hearing what my music inspires in others.