Welcome to Part 1 of this two part conversation with Wrex Mason.
Today's guest is Wrex Mason, a Hip-Hop producer from Hartford, CT; currently residing in Brooklyn, NY. Wrex began producing at age 11, and for the past 13 years, he has released both solo and collaborative projects with a wide range of artists.
Above all else, Wrex prioritizes being a "perpetual student of the craft" and a stark advocate for creative independence.
His influences include J Dilla, Madlib, Flying Lotus, DJ Premier, Easy Moe Bee, 9th Wonder, and Pete Rock.
WrexMason.com is a one-stop shop for Wrex's discography, merch, and marketplace for artists in search of beats.
Welcome to part one of this two part episode with Wrex Mason.
In this conversation, Wrex shares his Sketchbook Mentality, the importance of maintaining sustainable working habits in order to produce our best work, and the power of a broad perspective in our day-in and day-out work.
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That’s it for Part 1 of this two part conversation with Wrex Mason.
Make sure you come back for part two of this conversation, where Wrex shares how he identified the grooves of his self-talk to improve his practice and his art. How he combines structure and free-flowing time to capture inspiration. What producers can learn from the world of cooking. And, the prioritization of making music for yourself first.
Top 3 Gems From This Convo:
1. REMEMBER THAT TODAY IS ONE OF MANY DAYS.
There will be days where the work will come easier than others.
None of those days are necessarily better or worse than any other.
Show up every day with a curiosity and openness to what may happen.
2. UNCHECKED FEAR IS A POWERFUL AND OFTEN INVISIBLE FORCE.
If you notice yourself experiencing thoughts that are not encouraging you to move forward, ask yourself if you’re experiencing fear.
Asses that fear and re-label it according to its actual merit.
3. EMBRACE A SKETCHBOOK MENTALITY.
Remember: You don’t get to choose when good ideas come.
When an idea comes to you, even in a fragmented or incomplete form, write it down, record it, or make a voice note.
Show up regularly and pay attention to when ideas are presenting themselves.
Listen on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
Tap in with toru:
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YouTube: @torubeat
tiktok: @torubeat
Tap in with Wrex Mason:
Instagram: @wrexmason
Website: WrexMason.com
To jump to a specific moment in the conversation:
Chapters
0:00 Preview
0:30 Intro
2:05 Listening Session Track 1
7:01 Listening Session Track 1 - Discussion
11:22 Listening Session Track 2
15:39 Listening Session Track 2 - Discussion
19:30 Adult Swim Context
20:58 Listening Session Track 3
24:35 Listening Session Track 3 - Discussion
26:45 Restraint In Music
27:45 Sketchbook Mentality
29:30 Discovery of The Long Term and Sketchbook Mindset
31:18 Managing stress and pressure.
34:12 Closing
Referenced:
Adult Swim: Wiki, Adult Swim Website
013. Part 1: There Was A Yesterday. There Is A Tomorrow. Make Music For You Today. | feat. Wrex Mason