#brrwd

Teams’ latest album ‘Everything Was Beautiful’ is out now on brrwd.

Charlie Abbott’s latest release ‘Recital / Sports’ is out now on brrwd.

Based in Los Angeles and San Francisco, Fuzzoscope has been creating (as its name states) the fuzziest lo-fi beats since 2012. Alongside their editorial branch Allied Forces Press, they produce cassettes, art books, mugs and all sorts of great physical formats. We had a chat with co-founder Christian Riechert about the music that shaped his childhood, San Francisco’s hottest spots and exciting future plans.

First, could you introduce yourself a bit and explain what you do?

My name is Christian, and I am the co-founder of Fuzzoscope and Allied Forces Press. I work from San Francisco with my long time friend and creative comrade Jared Pittack (who is based in Los Angeles) to conceptualize and manufacture our various projects. Through our record label Fuzzoscope, we create and release different musical projects on cassette tape, vinyl record, and some other fun formats too. Since 2012 we have continued to release many compilations, albums, split tapes, art books, magazines, zines, and more through Fuzzoscope and Allied Forces Press.

Describe where you live in ten words or less.

“The Golden San Francisco, […] we dig it the most.”

What sort of music were you exposed to when you were growing up?

Southern California in the 90s and early 00s. My mum introduced me to genres like reggae, classic rock, alt rock, and some radio rap. My dad put me up on jazz, funk, and some choice 70s/80s music. And my friends through school (primarily Jared) introduced me to all types of stuff like Myspace-era garage rock, punk, and beats (J Dilla, Madlib, MF Doom etc.).

When did you start producing other artists and what was it like to begin with?

I guess we produced our first compilation tape in 2012 through Allied Forces Press, and it was exciting. We knew that CDs were trash and we had the idea that someday we wanted to release cassette tapes and vinyl.

What equipment do you use now?

A Mac laptop, Sony Walkman Pro, Sony TCM-929, Roland SP-404, Technics 1200MKII, Behringer Mixer, Gemini Mixer, Bose Mini SoundLink, Rolling Papers, Lava Lamp.

How do most people prefer to consume music in San Francisco?

Vinyl.

What are the top things you’d suggest music fans visiting San Francisco should go and see/do/eat/drink?

Catch the Allied Forces crew at a Diggin’ Deeper event at Originals Vinyl on Fillmore. Also get a Spicy Tsukemen at Iza Ramen on Fillmore, grab a beer at Toronado on Haight, and check out Jack’s Record Cellar (only open Saturdays), Groove Merchant, Amoeba Music in Upper Haight and Park Blvd. Records & Tapes in Oakland.

Who is your biggest local musical influence, past and/or present?

What are Fuzzoscope’s plans for 2018 so far?

We have a special new project with a European Funk/Jazz band and some American vocalists coming up on vinyl, followed by the 2018 Earwax compilation tape, and a cassingle project with our good friends over at BRRWD in Japan. Lots of music on the way this year!