WompWorthy Artist Genesis Rising

Exclusive Interview With Genesis Rising

1. For those who might not be familiar with you or your music, tell us a little about yourself and what your music sounds like.

My name is Winston Fowlkes, I was born and raised in Virginia (read: verjinyahh) (in the sticks, like white trash country). I actually grew up listening to rock/metal and hip hop, and I never really liked techno…except for like… one Paul Oakenfold song. Regardless, I have always loved music, and it has always been a huge part of my life. I am also the type of person who has to stay productive or I feel like a shmuck, so the two go hand in hand quite nicely. If I had to describe my music, I would say that I try to make stuff that is kind of unique, and I just try to make sounds that sound cool to me, and then arrange them in ways that might sound cool to other people to. Oh, and a lot of bass.

2. How did Genesis Rising start? How have you grown as an artist?

I got in trouble in 2009 and ended up in prison, and prior to that moment in my life I was pretty much carefree and was never involved in writing or composing any kind of music (although I have played the guitar for many years). I got out in 2011, and moved to Florida to be with my family. During a conversation with my cousin, he asked me if I had ever heard of dubstep. He sent me a link to some Bassnectar and Rusko tracks, and I was hooked from that point on.

Coincidently, my hip hop producer friend from back in Virginia (what up Malpraktiss!) moved down to Florida for a few months around the same time. He was constantly in the lab and production started to really appeal to me more and more. I made a couple of terrible tracks, the next 5 were just a tiny less terrible, so forth and so on. I finally started gaining a little recognition after my 21st submission to dubstep.net was finally featured, then wompworthy.com and a few others.

EDM production is harder than it seems, it takes a lot of dedication and willingness to research, lots of practice, and trial and error. I have grown as an artist only because of these things, and even though I am not happy with where I am as a producer quite yet, I am on my way.

3. Do you have any preferred genres you like working with?

Dude, I love dubstep. I love the energy it possesses, I love the new sounds that are always coming out, and it is truly a genre that is constantly changing and certainly welcomes innovation. I also like electro house, drumstep, and moombahcore. Pretty much any genre with awesome sound design and energy can get my attention.

4. What is your fondest EDM moment?

I would say my first real EDM festival. Because I was on probation, I couldn’t leave my county without permission from my probation officer. I got permission to go to Tampa for Sunset Music Festival last year, and I would have to say that was definitely my fondest EDM experience. It was definitely louder and a lot better than I ever expected.

5. You recently stated you were done with your probation. Was it difficult balancing your day to day activities and responsibilities with music?

Yea it was, because I had to pay about 100$ a month to be on probation here, so that on top of all the other financial needs I had really made it hard for me to get new equipment. I think I made my first 20 tracks with cheap pc speakers and a blown subwoofer (and when I go back and listen to them it really sounds like it now, haha -_-)

It was also somewhat of a blessing as well, though. Because I was on probation, I didn’t want to get in trouble again so I pretty much didn’t leave my house or waste my time doing random things with people I had nothing in common with. In a sense it really helped me focus and use my time productively.

6. What are some of your other hobbies besides producing?

I love art, namely drawing, graphic design, and web design. I also really enjoy photography, needless to say, I spend a lot of time on the computer. I’m also in college which is kind of a hobby because I really enjoy learning as much as I can.

7. If you could offer anyone a piece of advice, what would it be?

If you have a dream of any kind, then go after it. Try not to get discouraged and just be blindly persistent. Break your big goals up into smaller, easily achievable goals, and just always take small steps towards what you want. You will get out what you put into it. True story bro.

8. What can we expect from Genesis Rising in 2013? (We’re really excited :] )

Now that I am no longer bound by the county lines, my big goal for the year is to play some shows. I also plan to have an EP by the fall, and some really cool top secret ideas that I am working on that you will just have to wait on

Oh, and I would love to get as much exposure as possible, so hopefully that will happen soon.

9. Tell us 4 things about yourself we might not know.

• I was once an IV opiate addict, almost 4 years clean

• Im a Scorpio, and proud

• I have 3 sisters, 1 brother, and an awesome girlfriend

• My favorite rapper is Tech N9ne, my favorite band is Incubus

10. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? What would you do?

Man I don’t really know, but probably Japan. I just want to really want to observe a different kind of lifestyle. I have always been fascinated by the way asians live. I would also like to go to Europe, I think I would enjoy it there as well. Playing music in any of these places would really make me happy though.

11. Do you draw influences from any other artists or genres of music?

I try not to be too heavily influenced by other artists, but sometimes that is unavoidable because of the overall sound of the genres. I really like Knife Party, I think they really have a solid sound and an excellent comprehension of what gives a song momentum. I don’t know if they really influence my sound though. I build the majority of my sounds from scratch, so basically it is all about the results I get from a lot of experimenting and what I think sounds cool together, it’s a big trial and error process. In the future I plan on doing some more hip-hop influenced tracks and perhaps some rock/edm hybrid remixes.

12. What are some projects you’re currently working on?

I have always wanted to release an EP, but I am fairly impatient. I would love to say that I am working on one, but every time I finish a track I end up releasing it anyway. Over the summer I am going to put an EP together though for sure.

I am working on a track right now that I will be releasing very soon that I am kind of excited about, because it is the first 110bpm track I have ever made. I also have plans to release a comic with my music, where I can tie the music into the storyline. It’s a really cool concept and already in the works, I am kind of excited about it. Stay tuned!

13. Any final words to your fans?

Thanks to anyone who supports me, and a big shout out to the people who have been there from the start. For the people that don’t know me yet, check me out, and be watchin for big things in the near future!

WW: Thanks a lot Winston, we are excited for the EP and can’t wait to see you perform live!