The Opener is The FADER’s short-form profile series of casual conversations with exciting new artists.
gum.mp3 makes lush electronic music with rhythms drawing from house and garage music, but there’s a surprising depth of scholarship beneath the surface of these dance tracks. Though he’s only been producing since 2019, gum.mp3’s songs refract the electronic music of his predecessors from Ryuichi Sakamoto to Moodymann, assembling inviting grooves no matter the BPM.
The North Carolina-born, Baltimore-based producer and DJ is fairly prolific, and collaborative besides, having worked with MIKE, Fifi Zhang, and swoozydolphin in addition to longer joint projects with Swami Sound and Dxzegxd. More than anything, it’s gum’s attention to sound design that sets Black Life, Red Planet and Gum’s Mixtape apart from his peers.
Even chillier early tracks like 2020’s “Verge’n” and 2021’s “cameo” maintain a fuzzed aura, but gum.mp3’s ear for sonic detail has felt especially expansive in recent years. Take 2024’s guitar-driven “Deimos” or this February’s quasi-orchestral “Final Flash,” where disparate sonic elements form seamlessly plush assemblages.
The FADER caught up with the producer over email to discuss his creative process, his inspirations, and his life outside of the studio.
When asked about his hometown, he highlights the local culinary scene, noting that a spot called Grandpa’s Kitchen serves the best barbecue he has ever had. Reflecting on his musical roots, he recalls his first album purchases: a Michael Jackson Greatest Hits CD and Tha Carter 2 by Lil Wayne. “I’ve always been a Weezy fan and buying Tha Carter 2 was a canon event,” he shares.
His taste in live performance is equally refined. He cites a memorable set by Moodymann in Baltimore as a career highlight, alongside a recent performance by Jeff Mills and Ken Ishii at Knockdown Center. When he isn’t producing, he balances his time between teaching at the university level and finding moments of quiet, often involving incense, coffee, and his personal ritual of hand-washing his favorite garments.
Looking toward the future, he expresses interest in the upcoming Ghost in the Shell adaptation and the next installment of the Final Fantasy 7 remake. Regarding his own career, he remains grounded about his public profile. “I don’t know if I would call what I have right now ‘fame’, but this exact level of public interaction is my desired amount,” he says. “If I was any percentage more recognizable or popular I think it would cook me mentally.”
For those curious about his aesthetic, he points to his collection of Kapital bandanas and a gem-studded RRL belt as his favorite accessories. As for a dream remix, he eyes “2000 Blacks Got to Be Free” by Fela Kuti and Roy Ayers, noting, “It has everything—great title, great vocals, incredible instrumentation. I would definitely give it a deep house remix.”
