Meet Flux Psyche | Independent Musician; Songwriter, Vocalist, Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Flux Psyche and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Flux, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
Never give up. Maybe slow down, but don’t stop unless you want to. Remember that you don’t have to pour your whole being into everything you do.

You can still play a guitar every once in a while without being a full time musician. You can still use a law degree to help friends and family decipher important documents without being a lawyer. You can still bake without owning a bakery. What you love to do doesn’t always (and shouldn’t always) have to be your career. It’s good to have hobbies without expectations.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
When I was at my friend Boy Jr’s show in LA, and one of the performers made music that was a LOT like mine. Very similar genres and inspirations; I even talked to the artist (Maddy from Your Angel) after and she told me some of the artists that inspired her and they lined up with my influences too. That is the first and only time that’s ever happened. Even though Your Angel and me have a lot of similarities we are still distinct from each other, and we both stand out from many other artists, because we’re incorporating a lot of influences and ideas into our music while maintaining cohesion. That’s difficult to do, and I’m proud of myself (and Maddy!) for that.

I call my music dreamtronica because it’s largely a fusion of dream-pop and electronica, but there’s a lot to it. I can’t really pin myself into one genre, even this one that I made up myself!
Instead, the through line for my music is more the way it makes the listener feel. To me, Flux Psyche is sentimental and soothing. I think the sentimentality comes from the sorts of chords and intervals I like to use. I don’t know much music theory at all, but I know I love diminished chords and dissonance. I’ve also been told my voice is really calming and ethereal, which is why my music always feels soothing.

I don’t pretend to be a musicologist, but I really think a lot of other modern musicians are overthinking it. I feel the music, I let the music guide me, and above all else I don’t make myself stick to one genre, or style, or “sound”, or even theme. I hope I’m a good influence on people who feel stuck in a rut because of that self-imposed rigidity! I’ve been there too, we all have.

There’s beauty in skill, meticulousness, and crafting an intricate arrangement, but there should be a balance. At some point you need to let go otherwise you’ll never put any music out. There’s always another way to do things and you’ll drive yourself up the wall trying to figure it all out. You don’t need to torture yourself to innovate and keep growing.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is a really funny question for me, because I only moved to Santa Monica (an ocean city in LA) 6 months ago… and I’m such a home body! I’ve lived near LA most of my life but I’ve never really lived in it.

At this point, I’d say you have to go to Malibu. That’s where I work and I love it. Malibu is a city that borders the Pacific Ocean for miles. The locals say it’s a suburb, but no one really goes to visit people who live there (unless they’re super rich of course). You go for the beaches, and the seafood. Of course the Santa Monica pier and 3rd Street Promenade are total tourist destinations but I still like them; they’re tourist destinations for a reason. Also I love Six Flags so I’m totally taking this hypothetical friend there. Too many good rollercoasters to skip it! I would also take this person to all the Persian restaurants in the area. Yes, all of them, and I live right next to “Little Persia” so that’s a lot! They have vegan Persian food at Javan which is my favorite because I don’t eat beef anymore. I would also take them to plenty of shows… it IS LA after all so there are a ton of options. And of course I’d wear my Jeffrey Campbell shoes to the show. Gotta have an excuse to get dressed up!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My partner and my partner’s family. They have been so encouraging from the very start. I never would have had the resources or confidence to do this without them. My sister, too. She may be my biggest critic but she listens to everything I send her and gives me her honest feedback. My grandma gave me my voice; without her I wouldn’t know how to sing. My friends have sustained me through this; queer friends, musical friends, friends from college and childhood. Even if I peak tomorrow, I won’t forget the efforts, care, and support I have received. That has made it all worthwhile.

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Image Credits
Hunter Tidwell Prediletto Ariana Latifi Nat Latifi