It has been quite the two year journey for TGZ.
After the release of his successful “2 Years” EP in 2023, Tiago Fonseca took some time to figure out how to continue pushing himself forward. The first step was a new alias, renaming himself TGZ after dropping his first project as Tiago A.F. Next up were several live shows at some of the best venues in all of Portugal. And, now, he returns with something massive.
TGZ’s newest work, “Long Shape“, dropped in late March, serving as his most complete and polished work to date, with smooth, deep rhythms, organic chords, and crystal-clear production throughout. And, as of just recently, a vinyl for the record is in production, serving as a landmark moment for the record label O Sótāo, as it is their first vinyl release ever.
To celebrate the occasion, we sat down with TGZ to learn a little bit more about him, his music, and any advice he may have for up-and-coming producers. Make sure to throw “Long Shape” on in the background, and read on for his reflections on his earliest musical memories, as well as why it’s important to listen to and experience a wide variety of music to become a better musician.
Where did you grow up, and how did your environment shape your relationship with music?
I grew up in Porto, Portugal. My family and friends were fundamental to shape my relationship with music.
Both my parents, but even more so my father, were always listening to music in our house. As a child my father would give me his headphones and just let me listen to full albums from all genres: rock, jazz, blues, bossa nova. I was always connected to music from an early age.
The Porto music scene has always been quite random, with multiple small genre bubbles or communities. My parents would take me to quite a few concerts throughout my early years. I would go to shows from bands like the Rolling Stones, to Red Hot Chilli Pepper to local musicians.
My friends were critical as well honestly. I had different groups of friends. I remember the first shows/events I started going by myself, and a couple of friends went with me to Drum and Bass. The DnB scene was huge in Porto for quite a while. It was with DnB that I actually learned how to mix with vinyls or produce music in Logic Pro, with one of my best friends at the time.
What’s the first memory you have of making music?
I got a guitar around 10 years old and started to have classes with a teacher from the building I lived in.
I would use this old tape recorder and record my cheesy tracks in my room and then show them to my parents.
Terrible music, by the way.
Why do you think persistence is such an important part of making it in the music industry?
This persistence should apply to two things in my opinion: constantly creating new music and listening to new music and artists.
In regards to making new music, if you do it in a consistent manner and it’s good enough, someone will end up listening to it and sharing it with bigger crowds.
My focus on constantly producing music in different genres allows me to share music with all types of listeners.
This should 100% also apply to listening to new music and new artists. It’s just so critical to broaden your musical knowledge and learn new techniques or ideas from artists from all genres.
What’s a key piece of advice you would give to your younger self at the start of your journey?
Mainly two things: don’t be afraid to share your music with the world, and please learn how to play piano!
What’s the hardest part of maintaining a music career that people don’t often talk about?
The ups and downs. Your confidence in your music and craft will never be consistent. It’s an industry that is uncomfortable because you’re constantly exposing yourself creatively. And you can’t please everyone, so you will always be judged. It’s hard, but you should simply trust your taste and gut and just go with it.
How has your sound evolved as you’ve grown as a person and artist?
Mainly, the broadening of genres I now like to produce. This allows me to learn different production techniques and explore mixing those together. I started producing Hip Hop and it definitely has helped me in developing my sampling techniques. The same would apply to making jazz tracks, where I got to understand how playful percussion can be. Or deep house, where repetitive basslines and chords get you zoned out.
Just mixing all these things I learned over time allows me to express my state of mind when I’m producing. This allows me to create something unique for me. I also think that experiencing different music shows and events in the crowd as well as listening to a lot of music at home has allowed me to better understand how to create music for these different scenarios. It’s music that has served different purposes.
Why do you think it’s important for artists to share their struggles as much as their successes?
Well, the successes are super easy to take in. The struggles are where your confidence gets impacted and you fully learn how to trust and believe in your work.
When you understand that all artists go through the same troubles, it becomes more relatable and easier to navigate this competitive and harsh industry.
Buy the “Long Shape” vinyl here.
The post TGZ Releases Vinyl For Recent EP; Here’s What He Had to Say appeared first on Magnetic Magazine.