Alphafox

Tim Parker tipped us off on Alphafox a while ago, dropping a few tracks of his debut EP ‘Before You’re Gone’ a while ago. Needless to say, we had to figure out the goings behind this young Los Angeles-based producer. We chatted about YouTube videos, the ROTU collective, and his dog. Read up!

Who are you, can you tell us something about yourself and where do we know you from?

I am James Guinto, I’m 24 years old currently residing in Los Angeles, California. I’m an aspiring producer and I go by Alphafox. A little about myself? I enjoy music, making music, movies, food, cooking, my dog, hanging out with my homies, hanging out with my girlfriend, playing shows, playing PS4, having a good laugh, eating burritos and burgers. You guys gotta try the burritos down here if you haven’t!

How did you become a producer?

I always loved music. I got super into it around 7th grade when I came across Flying Lotus and everyone on MySpace at that time was making the craziest, innovative, out of this world kind of music. My best friend Willy said he wanted to rap during our senior year of high school and I couldn’t rap well, so I decided to make beats. So I copped Maschine and was super stoked to make beats. I got home and realized that I had no idea what to do. So it has been a 6-year journey into making music. I recently got serious about it towards the beginning of 2016 when my homie Glen aka Mr. Rotu (founder of ROTU SR) believed in my shitty beats and put me on the ROTU crew.

What other producers, songwriters and/or artists do you see as your primary inspirations?

My overall main inspiration for music is Schoolboy Q. I also look for inspiration from Nas’s first album Illmatic, the music on that album is the best and will forever reflect anything I make. Most recently people that inspire me are Timbaland, I’ve been looking into his music and beats a lot, he is the actual GOAT.

What is your current studio set-up?

I use a Macbook Pro 2017 anywhere with a table top. I also use Focal Headphones.

What piece of equipment would you most like to own, and which one you just can’t live without?

I want to own a Ableton Push because they seem pretty useful. I couldn’t live without my Macbook hands down though.

What’s your favorite track from your ‘Before You’re Gone’ EP?

My favorite track would have to be Wrench. I made this song extremely upset, on my broken 2010 Macbook, in 4 hours, in my living room in my tiny apartment on my headphones. It is one of the craziest intricate songs I’ve ever made that took the least amount of equipment, effort, and time.

What are you up to when you’re not producing?

I’ve recently started getting back into drawing. I used to draw a lot but music started to take over all of my attention. I also am starting to paint skateboards, so if you guys want any let me know!

Fill us in about the Rotu collective.

The Rotu collective is more of a family to me. It currently consists of 15 people and was started by my good friend Glen. He met a bunch of random people through shows and asked the ones that he believed in to be apart of Rotu. Everyone met and came together at the beginning of 2016 and we all instantly became really close and bonded beyond music and art. We do what feels right and we never compromise our art in order to gain anything from our passions. Rotu stands for “Rebels of The Underground”. So naturally, we go against the norm. We have our own unique style and it really shows itself. I love Rotu and everyone in it. They are family.

What is the last YouTube video you’ve watched?

5 Sounds that make your dog bark. Hahaha.

Who should we interview next?

Glen (Mr. Rotu). He’ll give you some good answers about orange chicken.

Okay, last question. For some zombie-like reason, you’re heading to a deserted island. What are the 3 items you’re packing?

My MacBook, my dog, and my girlfriend, even though she’s not an item hahaha.

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30 minutes of homebaked beats and unreleased flips by Alphafox – Welcome to Los Bangeles #26!