In this episode of Poducer, we sit down with Chicago-based producer Chez (pronounced “cheese”) for a fun and thoughtful conversation about music, identity, and community. Chez reflects on his first NSW show, overcoming nerves, and developing a sound that blends humor with serious musicality—drawing inspiration from Frank Zappa, Tim & Eric, and glitch-hop staples like Tipper & KOAN Sound.
We explore the role of creative communities, Chez’s approach to sound design, and his upcoming move into a producer house in D.C. The episode also dives into wild merch ideas (cheesehead hats, berets), and what sets the “Two Guys” project apart from a typical B2B. Later, we unpack AI in music, rediscovering the magic of live bands.
Links:
Listen to Chez: https://soundcloud.com/chez_muzik
Follow Chez: https://www.instagram.com/chez.music/
Follow NSW: https://www.instagram.com/nsw_presents/
Poducer IG: https://www.instagram.com/poducerpodcast/
More: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro & Welcome: Chez or Cheese?
01:43 - Early Shows & Venue Experiences
08:07 - Musical Humor & Inspirations: Zappa, Anime, and Comedy
16:11 - Discord Life & Creative Community
24:25 - Track Showcase: "Monsters Inc Flip"
27:42 - Genre Exploration & Sound Design Insights
35:14 - Producer Life: Moving to DC & Collaborations
40:23 - Festival Talk: Summer Camp & Infrasound Experiences
49:09 - Navigating Impostor Syndrome & Networking
57:01 - Shoutouts & Upcoming Collaborations
1:00:01 - Patreon & Paid Content Considerations
1:06:26 - The Origin & Evolution of "Chez"
1:15:56 - Merch Ideas & Creative Branding
1:24:12 - Track Showcase: "F*** Turkeys"
1:27:15 - Upcoming EP & New Music Projects
1:34:06 - Wild Concert Experiences & Anklepants
1:38:19 - AI in Music: Funny Experiments & Ethical Thoughts
1:48:54 - The Magic and Mystery of Music Creation
1:53:40 - Closing Reflections & Game-Changing Concert (King Gizzard)
2:00:46 - Final Thoughts, Shoutouts & Where to Find Chez
2:02:55 - Outro & Podcast Promotion