Chase Fade, the Snohomish native, went from working as a janitor to working alongside some of the best music artists in the world. He opened up with RMR to talk about his long-awaited debut album and his personal experience touring the world with Bas.
It all started a few years ago for Chase when he was granted a photo pass to a local Seattle music festival called Bumbershoot. He managed to capture pictures and videos of the artists who he initially set out for. Thinking to himself, that if he was already in the festival taking pictures, he might as well hang around to see if he can get more content of the artists that were up next. One artist in particular, who followed after the artist he had initially set out for, happened to be a guy named Bas.
Bas came to the stage and performed while Chase shot pictures and videos. By the end of the set, both Chase and Bas were able to take care of what they came to do. Fade eventually made his way back to his house and edited the work he created at the festival. By the time he was all finished up, Chase had photos that were completely edited and had even put together a short film of Bas’ set. Chase then sent over his completed work to Bas’ camp and shortly after was contacted by Dreamville music label to have Chase join them on the East Coast to start working for them. The rest was history.
Needless to say, Chase Fade has had quite the journey the last couple of years with his creative endeavors and we’re very thankful and excited to be able to connect with him for this interview!
Exclusive Chase Fade Interview
*This interview was edited for clarity*
How are things going nowadays? What are you currently working on?
Can’t complain man, but it’s definitely been tough adjusting back to normal life after being on the road for 4 months. My sleep schedule is trash right now. I’ve been working on a lot of new music videos for myself and other artists. Really working on building a platform for rappers and singers in the city where they can gain exposure.
Fresh off the release of your new album, I Have No Idea., how does it feel to have it available to the public?
It feels good, for sure. I’ve put out a handful of mixtapes since I started rapping around 2012 and this is the first time I’ve really been proud of what I created. I think I’ll look back on this one in a few years and still be proud to show it off. Feels like my first official mixtape/album/project, whatever you want to call it haha. Plus I been holding onto some of those songs for years so to finally have it out there is awesome. It’s really been fun being a rapper again, it helps me see from the other side of the lens again and I can understand what my video clients want and understand what they think about going into a video.
Stream Chase Fade I Have No Idea.
Where did you get the inspiration from?
To be honest, I really just wanted to do something else for a bit other than taking pictures and still be creative again, but in a different arena other than videos and photos. I got off the Bas tour and was kind of burnt out from taking videos and photos that I really didn’t want to even think about picking up a camera haha. At least for a few weeks. Now that I no longer work full time, I figured, let’s go back to my roots and make a song. One song turned to three, three turned to five and then eventually I had an entire body of work.
Are we going to see more of Chase Fade? Are you hoping to put together a tour at some point?
Oh, definitely. I think I caught the bug again. I feel like I’ve hit my stride with songwriting and life experiences that I just want to continue to explore that. I’m just getting started. I have also been shooting videos for songs from I Have No Idea., and I actually have a song called “Splash”, it’s a smash for the summer, I think. That drops next Thursday, shameless plug. A tour though?! Man I don’t know. I’ve only played two shows in my life, for maybe like 20 people each time. I’m super down to open up for someone on a show or a tour, though. I think I would kill that. I’ve always wanted to play with a live band. That would be tight as hell. But right now, I think it’s smart for me to focus on building my catalog more and improving in all aspects.
Switching gears, how was it touring the world with Bas and friends for the Milky Way Tour? What was the best part of that experience?
That was an incredible time, man. Can’t say enough good things about Bas and that whole tour. Literally, life changing in so many ways. I saw parts of the country, and the world, that I never thought I would see. Met so many amazing people. I couldn’t have done it with a better group of guys, either. Big shout out to Bas, man. Such a chill dude, super hard worker.
I really busted my ass too, lot of long nights editing. Wasn’t all fun and games all the time. The best part had to be traveling. Sometimes you are in and out of a city where you don’t get to enjoy it fully. But on those off days, though, those are special. People always ask me my favorite cities on tour so here’s my top five, always changing though; Paris, Prague, London, Amsterdam and Atlanta.
What specifically do you love about what you do?
I just love the process of creating something out of thin air and making something that you can interact with and watch, or listen to and feel something. It’s like being a magician. I love making something dope with dope people. It’s not always amazing and sometimes things don’t go how you planned but that’s where you learn and grow.
What has been a highlight in your career so far?
Getting hired by Dreamville/J. Cole and working at the Atlanta Revenge Of The Dreamer 3 sessions. That was a moment. I think if you ask anyone else that was there, they would say the same thing. Just being there with all my favorite artists while they create was fun to watch, let alone getting paid to do it.
Do you have a favorite piece of work that you’ve created picture or video?
Favorite picture (Above) – The J. Cole picture where he’s writing rhymes in his notebook. I used to watch videos on Youtube of Cole in the studio for hours so that was tight to experience in person.
Favorite Video (Below) – The music video we shot in Amsterdam with Bas and Shane Eagle “Ap3x Remastered” or the The HDN – “40 Acres” video.
Shane Eagle & Bas – Ap3x [remastered] Official Video
Directed & Edited By Chase Fade
Also, there’s this unreleased music video I did with Kung Foo Grip that we shot last summer that’s so dope. We really bodied that one! I don’t know if it will ever come out but I hope one day it does haha the people need it.
What do you have planned in the next 6 months?
A lot more music videos with a lot of different artists, continue to grow my music video platform, it’s called Diamonds Dancing. Plus a lot more music from me. Who knows really, I’m just going with the flow. Letting everything play out organically.
Where would you like to be in five years?
Man, I don’t even know. I guess I’d like to have a whole video production company that works with a lot of big artists. Have a dope team around me and run the show, direct and all that. Love to have a big platform that helps artists get exposure, too. Love to be still making music, get a gold plaque. Maybe start putting on shows in the future. Own a lot of real estates. Be wealthy enough to be able to retire but still work as if I’m broke.
Chase Fade – “I Have No Idea.” (Official Video)
Anything you would like to add to those in the Northwest?
Seattle and the northwest is lit right now, man. So many dope people making things happen. Shout out Travis, he just signed a deal and my guys Dylan Fout and Justin Frick, killing the videos right now. Lots of dope creative talent out here, from music to video and photo, clothing, etc. Mosey is outta here. Macntaj doing his thing. Dave Byrd and NuDavinci. Ryan Caraveo. Jay Park. Raz. Laza just signed a deal. Parisalexa too. MistaDC is a beast. Dave B. Macklemore. Karma, whos on tour with Tech N9ne. Bunch of people I’m forgetting but you get the point. Northwest going crazy. I guess I’d say just keep doing it man, anythings possible. Your life can really change in one year.
