About this episodeUnderscores discusses the creative process behind his album 'Fishmonger,' highlighting a deliberate shift towa…AI summary
Underscores discusses the creative process behind his album 'Fishmonger,' highlighting a deliberate shift toward accessible pop structures while maintaining experimental edges, inspired by suburban and mall aesthetics. He shares insights on navigating the music industry, including the financial risks of K-pop style merchandise, the decline of high-budget Western music videos, and the value of collaborative trust with directors. The conversation also covers his upcoming tour with Charli XCX, his long-term career goals focused on longevity and financial stability, and his personal approach to romance and artistic identity.
Key takeaways 6
Musical Structure: Underscores intentionally used standard pop structures for 'Fishmonger' to make the album more accessible, contrasting with the complex, tempo-shifting structures of his previous album 'Wall Socket'.
Mall Aesthetics: The album's visual and thematic inspiration draws from Asian malls and suburban architecture, specifically seeking a 'maximalist' vibe through fluorescent lights and consumerism, despite the artist's minimalist design skills leading to simple logo usage.
Music Video Economics: The decline of MTV has removed the financial incentive for labels to fund million-dollar Western music videos, leading to a rise in creative, low-budget DIY productions (like Lyrical Lemonade's model) or high-budget K-pop style videos.
Collaborative Trust: Underscores admits to being a micromanager but learned the value of trusting directors like I.O., allowing them to elevate his initial ideas (e.g., the 'Piece' video) beyond his own 'unclassy' original concepts.
Merchandise Risk: Producing light sticks modeled after the album cover (Water Tower) was a significant financial risk with no Western precedent, but successful execution amplified the live show experience.
Career Longevity: Underscores' primary career goal is longevity and financial stability, citing Madonna's reinvention and Trent Reznor's pivot to scoring as key inspirations for sustaining a multi-decade career.
Notable quotes 5AI-generated: wording and quote attribution may be wrong. Use the play link to verify.
“I think it's just like a good place to walk. Like there's a lot of It's a third space.”
▶ 46:57Explaining why malls are inspiring environments for listening to and creating music.
“I do think most of the minimalism was a result of not having like the skill or the the patience to do like a maximalist thing or something. But I think the maximalism was what I was hoping for.”
▶ 6:39Discussing the visual design choices for the 'Fishmonger' album, highlighting the tension between desired aesthetic and practical execution.
“I think it's riskier to do this and it's something that I'm just really grateful to have gotten the opportunity to do... The reward is going to be insane. It's going to be insanely worth it.”
▶ 17:10Reflecting on the decision to open for Charli XCX, acknowledging the humiliation risk of being an opener but valuing the career opportunity.
“I think there's no there's no MTV, so there's no financial incentive for labels to throw down a million dollars for a video anymore.”
▶ 1:36Analyzing the current state of music video budgets in the Western market.
“I think it's longevity. And I think it's the ability to make a bunch of different stuff and then have, you know, financial stability. Um, and just be able to do that for as as long as I can or something.”
▶ 2:18Defining his ultimate career dream, prioritizing sustainability over awards.
Chapters & Sections (31)▼
0:00Suburban Inspiration and Mall Aestheticschapter2
4:42Mall Maximalism and Aesthetic Mapping
5:54Minimalist Design vs Maximalist Inspiration
7:42Mall Culture and Dubstep DJing Originschapter3
9:19Asian Retail Rejuvenating Mall Culture
10:17Early Dubstep Production and First DJ Set
11:51Trends of DJing in Unusual Locations
13:29Pop Music Accessibility and Touring with Charli XCXchapter2
15:51Accepting Opening Role for Charli XCX
17:17Charli XCX Tour Collaboration and Rescheduling
19:16Light Stick Merchandise and Music Video Productionchapter3
21:47Collaborating with Director II on Visuals
23:25Music Video Concept and Production Decisions
24:49Collaborative Video Production and Creative Synergy
28:03Music Video Budgets and Creative DIY Productionchapter2
30:02Serendipitous Music Video Production
31:35Spy Movie Aesthetic and Animal Code Names
33:21Emotional Connection and World Building in Musicchapter1
34:50Navigating Romance and Intimacy in Music
38:00Creating Moms of Wall and Touring with Friendschapter2
40:25Pink Panthers Remix and Touring with Omaru
42:02Touring with Friends and Gratitude
44:15Tour Stories Career Longevity and Hair Stylingchapter2
45:55Career Longevity and Wig Persona
47:41Hair Color Experiments and Wind Styling
49:11Headphone Hair Design and Bowling Anecdoteschapter1
50:29Radish Head Art and Bowling Story
52:57Chicago Hot Dogs, Drake Rankings, and Future Planschapter3
54:10YouTube Videos, Drake Rankings, and Movie Casting
55:12Hypothetical Movies, New Girl, and Illuminati Clout
56:48Worst Hotel Experience and Future Teacher Vision
17m
41m
41m
30m
48m
3h 6m⏭ 4
3h 49m
1h 57m
2h 33m⏭ 1
1h 18m⏭ 4
1h 28m⏭ 3
2h 30m⏭ 1
1h 31m
50m
4h 49m
1h 5m⏭ 1
1h 9m
11h 23m⏭ 1
33m
3h 54m⏭ 7
46m
1h 0m⏭ 1
48m⏭ 2
1h 16m
3h 59m⏭ 5
1h 13m
25m
54m⏭ 1
25m