Mitch Fairchild shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Mitch, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
I don’t think I have any one specific goal or “finish line” I’m working towards. Right now, I just make music that I like first and foremost. I don’t chase any trends, change my sound to fit a style that’s hot, or try to make edits/remixes of current songs just because they’re trending. As long as I love the music I’m making and it’s something I would listen to myself, that’s all that matters.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Mitch Fairchild, and I make house and techno music under the name “SPEKTER.” While I’ve been working on this project since 2016, I never really got fully invested and focused on producing music until 2020. Since then, I have released on a variety of different labels, such as Hood Politics, Wyldcard, Force of Habit, We Are Freaks, The Boat House, and my own label FAIRCLUB.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I think previously I had a part of myself that constantly compared what I was doing and the music I was making to others around me and those I look up to. While I think it’s important to have role models, I have realized that no one has the same path and everyone goes through different trials and tribulations. Now, I simply focus on myself and try to cut out any drama or outside pressures from myself when it comes to my productions. I make what I want to make and do it for myself, and if anyone else wants to listen and enjoys it too, that’s just a bonus.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I don’t think I ever contemplated giving up entirely, but there were certainly moments where it felt that way. For me, there were times where house music and my focus on my project felt like all I had going for myself and the only thing that would make me happy in that moment.
I released a track earlier this year called “All I Got”, which is an important one to me. I made this tune during a period of my life where I was struggling and this was essentially my “love letter” to house music that I needed to make. Since then, “All I Got” has become a sort-of motto for myself because it reminds me that even when everything feels like it’s going under or nothing is turning out right, I still have “SPEKTER” and my music, so it really can’t be that bad.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
I just think it’s very easy, especially in this space, to chase trends. There is a new and different sub-genre or style of house music that becomes popular almost every other month it seems. You can tell because all of a sudden, now EVERYONE is making something that sounds the same.
I think it’s important to stick with your own sound and to not try to make something just because it’s popular. I know that I would personally not have fun if I was constantly just changing up my style to try and fit into what’s the big sound at the moment. There’s nothing wrong with trying new things and evolving, just make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
I would say most everything I’m doing lol. They say it takes ten years to blow up overnight, and I think that’s especially true in the music scene. Many of the DJs I had been a fan of for years and years are just now seeming to really reach the level of success that they deserve, such as names like Max Styler, Odd Mob, and DJ Susan to name a few.
I remind myself of this a lot, especially when I’m feeling upset that my music may not have the amount of streams I want or I’m not getting booked and playing as many shows as I would like. You really have to trust the process and just keep going.
Contact Info:
- Website: Email – spektermusicofficial@gmail.com
- Instagram: @spektermusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7_I1VkRj7b6sU73sY7hILQ
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/itsspektermusic
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2tmeV8y7o2yddvgrNxU1X6?si=6l4y7qKlQ3G3VmJFqvZctA
