Sterling Fox

What inspired you to first start making music? And how did you come to be in your current incarnation? Or if you prefer, a brief bio about you.

I first started making music at a very young age recording to a tape deck on blank cassettes. Sometimes they were sports broadcasts of me commentating on the Olympics or baseball games etc. Eventually that turned into making little ditties. I took it way too seriously and had an imaginary music chart in which I would constantly jockey with my younger brother for supremacy. To my delight, “Get On Your Bike and Get Rolling” consistently beat out his lesser hit “I’m A Cowboy” for the #1 spot. Anyways, I never really grew up, so here I am, still making recordings and messing around.

Provide us with some info about your latest release…

I recently put out my very first full length album Plastic Paradise. I’ve recorded hundreds of singles in the past (both for myself and others), but never had the attention span to finish a full album until now. It’s kind of a hodgepodge of various genres crammed into one album. Sooo if you don’t like one of the songs, maybe you’ll like the next one. I think that was the only way I could keep myself interested long enough to finish it.
Some of the running themes on the album are isolation, absurdity, narrative storytelling, stalkers, and cartoon metaphors. I basically wrote and produced the entire thing with some contributions from a lot of my friends.

Which ones would you consider your main influences both music-wise & non-music-wise?

Musicwise – I like the band Sparks. They are a bit batty and have made everything from classical pop to glam rock to minimal techno, but their lyrics are consistently brilliant. I love their sense of humor. Other influences include Queen, Elton John, and Rufus Wainwright from the the classic folks. Some modern acts I enjoy are Haley Heynderickx, Lemon Twigs, Jeff Rosenstock, PUP, etc.

In what way does your sound differ from the rest genre-related artists/bands and why should we listen to your music? In other words, how would you describe your sound?

Well…every song is different. “Burial” is a pop punk song, “I’m Still Holding Out For You” is a soul song, and “Cig” is a folk ballad. I’m trying to not limit myself stylistically from song to song. So every Baby FuzZ song you listen to will sound completely different, but will hopefully make sense in a larger context also.

Please name your 3 desert islands albums, movies & books…

Castaway just because it would be so paradoxical to watch that over and over on a desert island. Maybe it would inspire me to survive. You know what…let’s just keep going with that. Robinson Crusoe for a book and also some classical music just to keep me calm…probably Chopin or Mozart if I’m feeling snarky.

Do you prefer studio or performing live and why?

Both. I think if you do one for too long you go a little batty. I was a studio guy for about 10 years straight. That’s too much. Baby FuzZ is me exploring ways to reconnect with people outside of the studio. So at the moment, I’m enjoying playing live…even if it’s to just a few people. The connections are more sincere.

Is there any funny-unique story you would like to share with us, always in relation to your music ‘career’?

I once did a session with Madonna as a songwriter. Randomly I wore a priest outfit to the session…not quite sure why…maybe as an homage to her material. Anyways, she complimented me on it. As the session proceeded she started doing really intense yoga while we were writing. The poses were kind of erotically projected toward me (at least in my mind) making it really difficult to concentrate on the task at hand. We wrote an awful song, but it was one of the funnest sessions I ever did for a whole slew of reasons. It made me realize how much of a badass she was and still is.

Which track of your own would you point out as the most unique and why?

I think the track for my newest video “Mr. Blu” is the most unique I have put out. It’s a ’50s inspired Hawaiian sounding tune that kind of builds into a screamy Mike Patton crossed with glam rock thing halfway through. I just think it’s a saucy juxtaposition of styles that hasn’t been done a whole lot before.

Would you like to share with our readers your future plans?

Well…I’m attempting to tour the album this summer. Basically I’m solo diy touring all over the US booking my own shows. It’s ridiculous but super fun. Come out and see me play! In the fall I’m probably try to duck back into the studio real quick and knock out another album. I have an idea for a heavy arena rock album called Welcome To The Future. I think I could probably knock it out by the end of the year if I’m hustling.

Free question!!! (Ask yourself a question) you wish to answer and haven’t been given the opportunity…

What’s with the name Baby FuzZ?

I thought it felt like an appropriate alter ego for myself. My buddy Dan came up with it, and I convinced him to let me use it. It’s like a combination of messiness and impishness. I like it because it’s a cute name. I’m also a middle aged man, so there is definitely a degree of absurdity in going by that, which I enjoy.

Photo credits: Jason Quigley

Curated by: Christos Doukakis

Recommended listening:

Connect with Baby FuzZ: