Spotlight Sounds; Episode Nineteen with Flexx Carter

Welcome back to Spotlight Sounds, a series by Secrets Behind the Sound celebrating the vibrant world of Irish music. Dive into the blend of tradition and innovation that characterises Ireland's contemporary music scene, featuring both established and emerging artists. Explore the influences and experiences shaping Irish musicians and join us as we delve into their creative processes, stories, and journeys. Through in-depth discussions, Secrets Behind The Sound recognises the groundbreaking contributions of Irish artists to global creativity. Whether you're a long-time fan or a newcomer, Spotlight Sounds invites you to explore the captivating realm of Irish music—a journey into the stories, sounds, and enigmas that make up Ireland's music scene.

Introducing Flexx carter, an emerging rapper from Waterford, Ireland. His music fuses old-school hip-hop with influences from artists like Mac Miller and Tyler, The Creator. Known for his emotionally charged lyrics, Flexx explores themes of personal growth and resilience. His debut single, When I see the Water, made waves with its nostalgic vibes, leading to his first project, The Freedom Tapes. Tracks like Freedom and The future Never Happened showcase his evolving sound. With recent releases like Datenight and standout live performances, Flexx is quickly becoming a name to watch in Irish hip-hop music.

Can you start by introducing yourself and your musical background?

My name is Flexx Carer and I started making music about a year ago. It was always something I absolutely adored and I sat down one day and asked myself some big questions about what I wanted to do with my life. And here we are, I'm living my dream.

How would you define the genre you as an artist primarily identify with, and how do you incorporate other influences into your sound?

I listened to every type of music, I love listening to old records for some samples or even just ideas of ways to deliver certain words and mould them into hip-hop, because hip-hop is my love. I've been listening to hip-hop and rap music since I was a little kid and I listen to it everyday, so i guess I pick up little tips and tricks.

Sometimes it's not even the words you say, it's HOW you say them that can make people go, wow I relate to that. I love lyrics, I'm really big on saying things that take a couple of listens for people to get, but sometimes it's also just cool to make something that just sounds incredible.

What are some of the challenges Irish artists face in today's music industry?

Definitely pay and funding for what you are creating, but at the same time that's also part of the journey to me. When you make it to the top of the hill it's always going to be cool to look back and realise how hard you worked to get to where you are now. I also want to put in all of this hard work and dedication to make it to the top and then turn around and help other artists in ways I would have loved to be helped. I say it the whole time but I mean it, I'm truly here to spread positivity and have fun, that's all I want to do, I want to help people.

How do you see the current state of the music scene in Ireland? Are there any emerging trends or unique characteristics that stand out to you?

I think the Irish Music scene has never ever been better. Every genre is just booming, and trust me it's going global. A trend I see a lot now is people uploading small snippets of them performing their songs with captions and dancing around having fun, and people are getting really creative with it, I’ve started it myself too, it’s so cool, I love people showcasing their music, its hard work so show it off.

Can you walk us through the creative process when writing and composing music?

 So first of all I'll write down a topic that I want to discuss. From there I'll work on a beat or get sent a beat by some amazing producers that I’ve become friends with and basically just start freestyling the start of the track, and from there I'll lock myself away with the beat on loop and see where that takes me. Sometimes I'll do that 4 or 5 different times until I have a version of the song that I'm super happy with, then I’ll sit on that for a couple days and come back to it. If I'm still excited about it a couple days later, I'll take it to the studio to record the vocals, mix it and master it. This is usually done with Dan Doherty in Darklands Audio in Dublin, amazing dude and an amazing studio, he has some amazing names that he's worked with aswell, I'm only 1 of them.

In your opinion, what role do live performances and venues play in the Irish music scene today?

Oh live performances are vital. I personally love interacting with the crowd and making sure they get their money's worth. If somebody pays to see you, you have to give them everything in my opinion. That's why I leave everything on the stage, including my shirt usually haha. Live performances are also just vital for growing your following and getting people interested in you, they get to see what you're like in person, not just on a screen. Some venues are really pushing artists aswell and they really pump money into themselves to become a better venue, whether that's sound systems, lighting, whatever. The scene is just so amazing right now.

Diversity is an important aspect of any music scene. How do you think your music contributes to the diversity of the Irish music scene?

I personally just want to be a voice for everybody, I don't care who you are or where you come from, music is universal language, even if you can’t understand the lyrics you can still think something sounds cool. I speak as somebody who has a pretty dope life, but I want to be a voice for everybody. Everybody wants to break free and be their own person and do the things they love, that’s what my music is about, it’s to make everybody feel strong, no matter how you look or where you’re from, I think everybody relates to my music in some way. I also think it's cool to put in some things every so often that I feel strongly about, its free speech baby, you're going to receive hate no matter what, so keep going and keep having fun.

As an Irish artist, what advice have you got for other artists trying to navigate the industry and find their unique voice?

Make the music you want to hear, don't listen to anybody who speaks negatively to you, if someone tells you that you can't do something don't be put out by that, if somebody comments something negative on your posts suck it up, they're probably having a bad week. Listen, when you promote positivity, that’s when negativity strikes. You need to keep being positive and pushing your work, be you and ignore negative interference, but keep on going.

What can listeners expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming releases, collabs or projects you're excited about?

Oh I have so much music that I truly believe is going to change the scene in this country, I believe I have stuff ready to go that has never really been done before, I also have a track with an amazing artist called Bailey333 in the works right now and I know people are going to love it. You can expect to see me at festivals real soon and also I'm thinking of doing my first mixtape soon aswell. You can also expect to hear a lot of my stuff on the radio all over the country, we're taking over the airwaves.

I am going to finish off by asking you, what is the most bizarre fan/show experience you've had?

I played live with The King Kong Company recently to a sold out crowd in Waterford and that was honestly the coolest moment of my career so far. The crowd was just electric and I could hardly walk after that show, I put everything into it. Without a doubt that night was bizarre and just an amazing experience, we went to a club after the show and it basically only got crazier in there, that's all I can say on that matter haha.

Thank you so much for having me on here, I loved these questions!

Flexx Carter's journey into music may have started just a year ago, but his passion and dedication are evident in every aspect of his craft. Blending his love for hip-hop with diverse musical influences, Flexx creates introspective and uplifting tracks that aim to inspire others to chase their dreams. As an artist who thrives on live performances and audience connections, he continues to carve out his space in the Irish music scene.

With exciting projects on the horizon, including collaborations and a potential mixtape, Flexx Carter is poised to become a force in Irish hip-hop. His message of positivity and resilience shines through his music, making him not just a rising star but a voice for everyone seeking strength and self-expression. Keep an eye on Flexx- he's just getting started.