BEASTIE: The MIDI Misfit Who’s Doing It for the Nerds
It’s easy to be under the impression that the only way to truly succeed as an emerging artist is to champion your ego and fake it till you make it. This is especially true for musicians in the London scene, where social clout often feels just as, if not more, important than musical talent. Yet, South London producer, vocalist and songwriter BEASTIE stands out, not just for his unique sound but for his commitment to authenticity.
With an alias like BEASTIE, you might assume he fits neatly into the stereotype of brash, self-promoting musicians. But from the first few minutes of talking to him, it’s clear he’s anything but. Being a self-proclaimed nerd and introvert, the inspiration for his potentially misleading name begins to make sense. Beastie, a character that his dad played as an actor in a tv show, reveals his introspective approach, and how his music and passion are crafted from his artistic background and upbringing.
He described himself as self-taught, first starting to learn to play an electric piano in his bedroom at thirteen until his supportive mum bought him a MIDI controller and beat pad. He explains, “It was really purely for enjoyment. I didn't have any end goal with it, and I didn't really think to become a musician because I was quite quiet and shy, and the idea of putting myself out there wasn't that appealing to me.” His early years were defined by learning to play his favourite songs using YouTube tutorials and uploading his beats to Reddit and SoundCloud for feedback, even connecting with other local musicians through the platform. “That’s what you do when you have a lot of free time and you don’t go outside,” he joked, “I wasn’t going to parties, I was just in my bedroom playing really bad piano chords.”
Despite growing up amidst South London’s eclectic music scene, BEASTIE explained that he has always felt like an observer, rather than an active participant. “I’m introverted by nature,” he explained. When he first decided to take his music seriously, he had made a promise to himself that he would never beg to be accepted by anyone or let into a scene. I’ve spent enough time speaking to London musicians to understand how intimidating and even limiting the scene can be, and many artists feel the need to conform their style and image to fit into a preexisting movement. Even with how incredibly diverse the London music scene is, the different branches of styles and genres still feel quite isolated. By remaining unattached to a certain sound and audience, BEASTIE transgresses borders and reaches a range of different listeners. He doesn’t encourage his fans to cultivate their image to fit his own, but he wants them to remain true to themselves and find confidence in their individuality. The last thing he wants is for his music to create a herd of gatekeepers.
“I’ve never been someone who really cares about genres,” BEASTIE restated, heavily inspired by artists like Labrinth and Blood Orange who he described as similarly never caring to be boxed in. His latest single, PILOT, is a testament to this philosophy (and a great choice of name if we say so ourselves). “I’ve always wanted to make a song that sounded like stumbling across a cult in a jungle,” he laughed. He combined drums from African disco tracks, lush synths, and dream pop vocals to create a blended sonic landscape that transcends genres. The music video is just as striking, featuring BEASTIE dancing in a Thom Yorke-esque manner through an open field. There’s an undeniable nostalgia to it, with shaky camcorder shots and the presence of an old Volvo Estate adding to its charm. His vulnerability shines in the lyrics:
“I wanna free fall/ I’m dropping my guard babe/ I know that I’m flawed”
It’s clear that BEASTIE treats music and its production with respect, creating art for art's sake. He likes to keep it organic and flexible, letting it all flow as it comes. He explained that whilst he writes and produces his tracks independently, he embraces contributions from other artists as much as possible to add a new creative flair. The result often diverts from BEASTIE’s original vision but he believes that it helps the song grow a life of its own. Perhaps it is his own humility that allows him to see so much value within the creative minds of others. His newest single, PILOT, features a spontaneous verse rapped by Biyi, a musician who happened to share his studio during the recording process. He encourages his co-musicians to take full creative liberties and do whatever they think could elevate the track as there will always be something that he’d not previously considered.
His Instagram handle, @fredthelobster, reflects the influence that Tyler The Creator, or @feliciathegoat, has had on him, both in his music and his image. He also admitted that he felt inspired after watching Yorgos Lanthimos’ surreal comedy, The Lobster, which is where his handle originated from. Perhaps this is an unexpected influence, but does a great job showcasing how BEASTIE immerses himself in a range of art in order to find creative fuel.
Rather than a hindrance, BEASTIE sees his introverted nature as a superpower. This quality has inspired him to lean into surprising people and keep his listeners on their feet. He enjoys subverting expectations by promoting an eclectic and unpredictable image. “I imagine that when people meet me and I tell them I did music, they wouldn't have expected me to sing with such a high falsetto like I didn't care, or they wouldn't expect me to jump on PILOT screaming and jump around in my underwear.” Growing up with issues of self-confidence, he now gets to use music to “showcase what [he’s] capable of to people who may not be aware.” With his first ever gig coming up this year, we’re excited to see how his music will translate to in a live setting, as well as what surprises he will pull off.
His message to aspiring artists and nerds alike is to never feel like you need to be understood. “Your niche is your superpower,” he explained,
“There's people who aren't really going to understand you, but you can use that to your advantage. No matter how kind of, left-field or strange you may feel, or even lonely at times, there's always gonna be a community of people that are willing and ready to accept you, and it's just about finding that tribe. That comes with just understanding and accepting yourself more and more.”
Images: BEASTIE’s Stomping Grounds / via Photo Booth / March 7 2025 / By Pilot's Editor, Dagny Tepper