Q&A With AV Queer Hits Featured Artist: Product
Ambient Vibes had the opportunity to ask Product some questions. I hope you enjoy it!
How'd you decide on "Product" as your Artist name?
After I moved cities in 2019, I had taken a break from releasing music and I was really trying to find my sound. It was around that time that I finally took a deep dive into SOPHIE’s sonic universe through her discography and any live recordings I could find. I had never felt more understood before, listening to her production – it is so visceral, and I felt that every song sounded sonically like the way it actually felt to be actually experiencing the subject matter of the song. At the time I was trying to imagine some kind of way I could use myself as a character through which I could explore parts of myself that might not rise to the surface always – pain, resentment, jealousy, anger, egotism... When I stumbled across SOPHIE’s “Product” project, I decided to name myself in honour of her pioneering work and the way in which it inspired me to study and experiment with synthesis myself, to find a sound that felt truly authentic to me and a character to express myself through. The more I have learnt about SOPHIE, the more I realise just how much we had in common and the news of her passing is still very difficult to comprehend. She quite literally paved the way for me and for so many others I know.
Collaborations, you seem to love them. Why and who are some of your favorite artists to work with?
I actually never intended to release so many collaborations and remixes so early on, but I was just so lucky that this wonderful family of fellow independent LGBTQ+ artists embraced me with open arms soon after my debut single released. I connected very quickly with many of them, both creatively and on a personal level and I believe many of us will remain friends for years to come. I always want to get to know my collaborators somewhat first so there is a true foundation of understanding and trust to build upon. When you remove ego from the creative space, making art can feel truly effortless and organic and I suppose it’s that meeting of two minds, the merging of ideas and energies and the way that these sacred exchanges become immortalised in in the music that continues to fascinate me.
RETOUCH IT, your newest single. What's the story behind the song?
I wanted to use Product as a character on “RETOUCH IT” to explore image in pop and celebrity culture in a satirical fashion - a jaded pop star succumbing to the weight of gossip and online commentary, willing to alter themselves in any way to appeal to the desires of their audience. I have always found it difficult to accept how often the focus is actually shifted away from the music entirely, particularly on social media. But instead of complaining about it in the song, I wanted to embody an individual so desperate for acceptance that they instead embrace this idea that they could be somehow corrected and perfected. It’s my way of showing the world, “this is what you do to pop stars” and to pose the question: Are these really the kinds of artists you want to see? The issue is not about cosmetic surgery for me – that’s just the metaphor. It is about the entitlement people seem to feel they have to tell others how they should act and present and identify.
If you had your own reality tv show, what would it be titled and what parts of your life would you show to the world?
I am quite a private person so I’m not quite sure just yet that I’d ever do a reality show! It would have to be the right one at the right time. A documentary someday perhaps? I would likely name it after a body of work – though I’m not sure I have found the right one just yet. Let’s revisit this in 5 years? Haha.
How would you describe your music?
I wouldn’t.
But if I had to... sonic adrenaline.
What is your favourite magical or mythological animal? Why?
Ooh so many to choose from! I think I’d have to say a phoenix purely because they can be reborn again and again, and I feel like this is something we get to do time and time again as artists.
What fictional family would you be a member of? And why?
Do the cast of Friends count as a family? I feel like we choose our family, right? I choose them. But like, the characters. I’d love to be best friends with Phoebe.
One thing you'd like to teach people, what would it be and why?
Kindness, because we absolutely need more of it in the world.
What's next for you? Tell us everything!
I recently had the pleasure of remixing Lavender Boy’s song “Pseudosexual” which is dropping on October 15th (available for pre-save now at https://smarturl.it/PseudosexualRemix). Very excited for everyone to hear this one – it’s super fun to dance to in the kitchen with a glass of wine if I do say so myself! Currently I am working with my dear friend tip/toe on the debut lovenotes project which is deeply personal in part but also super fun to dance to, I think it has a little something for everybody. And I’m also completing my own solo project. I can’t wait to get out and start playing some live shows hopefully very soon! I’ve also been working on some virtual environments within Unreal Engine and I’m really trying to focus on creating some very special visual experiences for future releases and shows.
Listen to “RETOUCH IT” by Product on the Ambient Vibes: Queer Hits on Spotify now.