NSW x Poducer EP 3: Chez — Humor, Identity & Glitch-Hop Vibes
In this episode of Poducer, we sit down with Chicago-based producer Chez (pronounced “cheese”) for a fun and thoughtful conversation about music, identity, and community. Chez reflects on his first NSW show, overcoming nerves, and developing a sound that blends humor with serious musicality—drawing inspiration from Frank Zappa, Tim & Eric, and glitch-hop staples like Tipper & KOAN Sound. We explore the role of creative communities, Chez’s approach to sound design, and his upcoming move into a producer house in D.C. The episode also dives into wild merch ideas (cheesehead hats, berets), and what sets the “Two Guys” project apart from a typical B2B. Later, we unpack AI in music, rediscovering the magic of live bands. Links: Listen to Chez: https://soundcloud.com/chez_muzik Follow Chez: https://www.instagram.com/chez.music/ Follow NSW: https://www.instagram.com/nsw_presents/ Poducer IG: https://www.instagram.com/poducerpodcast/ More: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast Chapters: 00:00 - Intro & Welcome: Chez or Cheese? 01:43 - Early Shows & Venue Experiences 08:07 - Musical Humor & Inspirations: Zappa, Anime, and Comedy 16:11 - Discord Life & Creative Community 24:25 - Track Showcase: "Monsters Inc Flip" 27:42 - Genre Exploration & Sound Design Insights 35:14 - Producer Life: Moving to DC & Collaborations 40:23 - Festival Talk: Summer Camp & Infrasound Experiences 49:09 - Navigating Impostor Syndrome & Networking 57:01 - Shoutouts & Upcoming Collaborations 1:00:01 - Patreon & Paid Content Considerations 1:06:26 - The Origin & Evolution of "Chez" 1:15:56 - Merch Ideas & Creative Branding 1:24:12 - Track Showcase: "F*** Turkeys" 1:27:15 - Upcoming EP & New Music Projects 1:34:06 - Wild Concert Experiences & Anklepants 1:38:19 - AI in Music: Funny Experiments & Ethical Thoughts 1:48:54 - The Magic and Mystery of Music Creation 1:53:40 - Closing Reflections & Game-Changing Concert (King Gizzard) 2:00:46 - Final Thoughts, Shoutouts & Where to Find Chez 2:02:55 - Outro & Podcast Promotion