It is enough to drive one into refuge to have endured years of abusive relationships, addiction, and mental health struggles. Fortunately for Doc Fischbach, he found comfort not only in his desire to create music but also in the beautiful mountains close to Denver, Colorado. Both of Docโs passionsโhis connection to nature and his love of musicโprovide him with opportunities to experience pure joy. After some introspection and self-discovery, he eventually discovered his voice and, as a result, his lifeโs work. Doc describes his music as โself-helpโ music in an effort to give the voiceless a voice. He sets out to offer the idea that perfection lies in our imperfections through his entrancing brand of Pop. Notably, Doc Fischbach avoids using pronouns with specific genders in his music. He would never want any of his listeners to feel excluded because he is a gay man who knows all too well what itโs like to be marginalized. Doc has occasionally felt invisible because of his ongoing struggles with ADHD, mental illness, and past trauma. But now that music is helping him feel more understood than ever, he is on a mission to show others who are having trouble that there is still hope, even in the darkest of circumstances. Since then, Doc Fischbach has accumulated a sizable back catalog of unreleased original music in addition to a few singles he self-released.
He wrote โSo Shadyโ about the type of partner you date who only engages in games and leads you on. They want to be with you one second, then vanish from sight the next. This song has a slight country music sound with pop lyrics, but it should be a welcome change of pace from his typically sad songs. Check out the song and the exclusive interview below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?
DOC FISCHBACH: Iโm from Golden, Colorado. Right by where the Rocky Mountains start! I got started with music at three years old but I have only been writing/producing my own music since 2018. I kind of hit rock bottom with substance abuse and a lot of mental health crises. Out of that darkness came song writing with the hope that I could help people through similar issues.
2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
DOC FISCHBACH: Vocally, I have over a decade of formal training. However, I taught myself piano in 2020 during the pandemic haha so Iโm still working on improving that part of my performance.
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name โDOC FISCHBACHโ?
DOC FISCHBACH: I have so many musical influences and interests. When I was a 2/3 year old I would only listen to Motown music, especially the Supremes and The Temptations but quite a few other groups. My dad raised me on country music especially Shania Twain, Marty Robbins, and Johnny Cash. Iโve always been a big fan of female musicians, like Celina Dion, Donna Summer and Taylor Swift. Good songwriting or a strong belting voice win me over most times.
Doc Fischbach is my name! Well okay my middle name is โMDโ, so my family has always called me Doc since I was a baby.
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?
DOC FISCHBACH: Well I like to call my music โself-help musicโ. I think each of my songs tells a bit of my life story, and quite a few songs try and inspire people because things are never as bad as they seem in the moment. I donโt write music for what people might want to hear, I just write from moments in time that affected me and changed meโฆor about lessons Iโm learning. My music can be a mix of dark and lightโฆ.a lot were written while I was coming down on one thing or another so there is some depressing aspects for sure.
5. 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?
DOC FISCHBACH: I have gotten a surprising amount of hate. Some of it just because Iโm gayโฆwhich trust me I tried for years to not be. I have been meditating since 2019 and itโs really helped me understand that people being critical or hating on you is just reflective of their own issues and judgements about themselves. I know what good I can do in the world, and if they donโt want to see that itโs their loss. Also, I will say I get about 98% positive comments/feedback so that also really helps! Social media is such a tool for connection and information, so I will always try to see social media as a good thing. Even though it can be toxic sometimes too.
DOC FISCHBACH:
Freedom is one of my favorite things, so I hope people interpret however they want to. I really believe a lot of my songs are relatable to the human experience. I try not to use gender in my music so everyone can relate. On my Instagram, I do little talks about where each song came from but whatever helps a person feel seenโฆthatโs most important to me. I listen to music to really feel something and I like to know the back story.
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?
DOC FISCHBACH:
Iโve had numerous messages from people who have heard my story or my music and wanted to tell me how much they related to it. Iโll never forget the first person who told me how much my song โI Will Beโ had helped her through a rough divorce. Thatโs good enough for meโฆI may never make it far with music, but it feels good to know Iโm producing a high quality product and I can make a difference.
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?
DOC FISCHBACH:
This can be soo random. Sometimes a line with a melody just pops into my head, usually as Iโm talking to myself haha. Sometimes, Iโll take an established chord progression that I like, and just write whatever the song sounds like to me at the time. I prefer to write alone for the most part. Each song means a lot to me so I donโt like lyrics to be anyone elseโs. My vocal coach Connie Hong has helped write a few of my chord progressions. And then my producer Glenn Sawyer has also helped with chord progressions if I donโt have a bridge part. Lyrics and melodies are always my thing thoughโฆ.I really love playing with different melodies.
9. What has been the most difficult thing youโve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
DOC FISCHBACH:
Thatโs a tough one. I was repeatedly sexually abused as a 5/6 year old and it still affects me to this day. Everything from my addiction issues to my self-esteem are all tied to that terrible time in my life. Itโs the one topic I have writing block on, but Iโm hoping to eventually get a song going about it for those who have also endured enormous pain like me.
10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
DOC FISCHBACH: Iโm just proud to be alive. Iโve maintained a successful career with the city of Denver for over 10 years. Iโm also just very proud of myself for turning chaos and darkness, into the deepest of soul searching. I believe Iโve come a very long way and I wouldnโt take any of it back. Itโs made me a better person.
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Photo credits: Julianna Photography