Words/ Rachel June

Photos/ Tiago Pestana

ASBO spoke to existing Portuguese artist Extrazen, on the release of his new EP, ‘WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR HANDS’ released in February this year. His music calls you to the dance floor, with interesting electronic elements alongside his voice, combining song and insightful rap lyrics. His music is fresh, unique, and full of flavour. Perfect for a summer playlist, the music instantly boosts your mood. Watch the video for DON’T YOU WORRY below.

1. Who is Extrazen?

An artist from Portugal striving to break barriers – both geographical and artistic – and pushing art forward through music production and writing.

2. For someone that is yet to discover you, how would you describe your music? 

Glitchy, hard-hitting, meaningful, honest, and frontal. Those are pretty good adjectives to sum up what my music feels like, I think.

3. What inspires you as an artist? 

Life in general, relationships, all forms of art, and the freedom to create something that didn’t exist before. It’s about constantly pushing to explore new ground.

4. What Is your Pre-Show routine?

Not anything too established yet, but I like to take a few deep breaths, meditate for a bit, thank my team for being there and then go all out with the most energy to the stage.

5. Where do you feel you fit into the music landscape?

I would say the best place I fit is actually outside the box. I don’t like labels or limitations. I’ll be myself, pushing the scene forward in whatever way I feel at that moment.  I want to fit among the greats – that’s the only place I’m thinking.

6. What are your favourite musical genres, and are there any you dislike? 

I have been a big rap and electronic music fan since I was a kid. Anything that mixes those two genres while sounding new and fresh has got my attention. 

7. Fun fact?

Recorded my first song ten years ago inside a closet with my dad’s iPad. 

8. What would you say is your greatest strength as an artist? 

The ability to learn and do every step of the process by myself – that freedom is unmatched.

9. What would you say is your greatest weakness as an artist? 

My brain and imposter syndrome. Working on that, though.

10.  What music artists would you say have influenced your work? 

Despite everything, I would still say Kanye West. He’s the greatest in my opinion. Others are Skrillex, Tyler The Creator, Brockhampton, Kendrick, JPEGMAFIA, Injury Reserve.

11.  Who would you most like to collaborate with artistically?

Prince or Rick Rubin.

12.  Fave song right now?

“Prayer”, an unreleased track from Kendrick Lamar. 

13.  Biggest obstacle & how did you overcome it? 

Doubt and imposter syndrome; still working on it as it insists on coming back once in a while. I overcome it by looking at everything like a child would, having fun and creating with transparency and purity. If I have fun, let the creative energy flow and judge later, the overall process improves.

14.  What is your creative process when making music? Do you work with others or is it just you?

I would describe it as chaotic. I mostly work alone, so ideas can really come from anything: a sound, a movie, an image, or even a text I wrote on a different day. I just chase the feeling and the high it gives me, and see where it ends up leading the song. I also want to collaborate more with other artists, though it feels a bit uncomfortable at the moment since I haven’t had much experience with it yet. I believe collaboration is key to gaining new perspectives in creative processes.

15.  This year, what can we expect?

More music, more projects, more concerts, more everything. Innovation and a constant push to be great and continue to share my art with the world.