Phe R.E.D.S is back!
After taking a year to work to recuperate and work on the often unseen processes of music, the Cambodian-American has returned with his latest single 'Closer' in collaboration with fellow Seattle artist Catch24 and H1GHR MUSIC CEO and renowned producer Cha Cha Malone.
Phe R.E.D.S’ single, 'Closer (Feat. Catch24) (Prod. Cha Cha Malone)' is available now on all major streaming platform. Official Audio in link below!
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🎞 https://t.co/O3e8Kh4pXk@phe_reds @chachamalone#PheREDS #Catch24#ChaChaMalone #차차말론#Closer#H1GHRMUSIC #하이어뮤직 pic.twitter.com/XtgpH6Zd4L
Written to mirror a conversation, the track reflects the intricate and complex of a relationship. "It’s about the push and pull dynamics of a relationship," Phe R.E.D.S tells Bandwagon.
" It’s about saying what’s unsaid, figuring out what’s really going on between you and your partner and clearing the air in a way that strengthens the bond," he adds.
'Closer' comes as a glimpse into a bigger project the 'Senseless' act has lined up. all of which plan to showcase a new side of his artistry, one that has him stepping way out of his comfort zone.
"I’m looking to make something that’s freer creatively. One of the songs actually has me quite nervous for its emotional rawness. I don’t quite know if I want it out there, but maybe that’s exactly why it needs to be out there," he shares.
Following the release of 'Closer', Bandwagon caught up with Phe R.E.D.S to talk about representing his culture, making music, and working with Catch24 and Cha Cha Malone.
Hi Phe R.E.D.S! What have you been up to lately?
Wassup Bandwagon, I’ve been good. Spending time with my family, break dancing with my crew Art of Movement (AOM), making music here and there, and getting ready to start pilot training full time.
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Congratulations on ‘Closer’! Walk us through the production process of the song. What was it like working with Catch24 and Cha Cha Malone?
Well, I had played these chords I liked on guitar and the vibe was right. Then I produced a sketch or rough draft of the entire beat, picking out the sounds I liked and drums and whatnot. This was 1 of like 9 songs that I had worked on since the start of the pandemic.
I was in LA for a crewmate’s bachelor’s party and Catch24 was nice enough to show us around K-town. We were talking music and a collab was suggested. I played like 4 of the instrumentals I had made for Catch, and she gravitated towards the 'Closer' instrumental. The next time she was in Seattle, we booked time with Cha Cha Malone at his studio and he reproduced it, blessed it with his magic, and really brought it to life.
On the way to Cha Cha’s, I had prepared some questions for Catch to prompt what her situation was with the guy she was seeing. And I had her write down things on her iPhone Notes that stood out or that we could use in a song like phrases, words, ideas, anything that stuck. While at the studio, Cha Cha had the beat playing and I just sang out, “Bringing youuu clo…serrrr… Clooooserrrr to meee.” and from there everything fell into place like a puzzle.
We finished our verses, had a call and response type thing towards the end, and if you listen hard enough, you can hear Cha Cha’s ad-libs and some of his harmonies in there as well. He’s quite the genius—producers don’t get enough credit.
‘Closer’ comes as your first release since 2019, what was it like going back to music after your break?
I think music takes so much more energy than people realize and Jay Park is seriously an anomaly with his output of songs. He’s the exception. But music is cyclical. I turn into myself to find something worth writing, then move into production, mixing, mastering. After that, it moves outwards to marketing, promotion, and distribution. Rinse and repeat. So for listeners of music, it may seem like a break. For the artist, we’re constantly in it.
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We heard that ‘Closer’ comes as a precursor to a bigger project you have slated for later this year. What can you let us know about his project?
It’ll probably be 2 EP projects with 4-5 songs each. One is upbeat house-type music and the other is R&B singer vibes. I’m looking to make something that’s freer creatively.
One of the songs actually has me quite nervous for its emotional rawness. I have a physical reaction to it, and I don’t quite know if I want it out there, but maybe that’s exactly why it needs to be out there.
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Your musical persona as 'Phe R.E.D.S' pays homage to your family and culture. How much importance do you place on your cultural background as an artist and in what ways, do we hear that in your music?
In my previous work before H1GHR MUSIC, I made a song called 'We are the Stars' and filmed it in various locations all over Cambodia. It was a song for my family and my people. And I still perform the song when I do sets with a band. But that was for the culture and the people.
Once I got signed with H1GHR MUSIC, I wanted to write music people could enjoy. And now, I want to write heavier material that might not do as well, but will serve its purpose. Picasso had his Blue Period, and that was just as important as anything to his body of work as a whole because it marked a time and emotion in his life.
What would you say is your biggest strength as an artist is?
Jay Park did an interview talking about the formation of H1GHR MUSIC; he said he knew a lot of artists, but he wanted to create a label with artists who were humble, good people and worked hard. I guess sometimes you don’t know your strengths until someone else says it.
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Where do you hope to see yourself in the next couple of years, in relation to music? What are some goals or milestones you would hope to have achieved?
In the next couple of years, I’d like to have completed my 2 EP projects. I’d love to do a US, Europe, and Asia tour in whatever form that looks like.
I’m comfortable performing for 50 people as well as thousands of people. It sucks having supportive fans from places like Singapore, Amsterdam, the UK, Australia, and more, and being unable to connect with them with a live show. The energy is different when it’s live. Also, I want to perform at music festivals and be part of their circuits. Hopefully, H1GHR MUSIC can make it happen. We’ll see!
Listen to Phe R.E.D.S' 'Closer' featuring Catch24 here.
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