Shinto shrines constructed using ancient Japanese joinery techniques, a 50 year old Merlot made from the grapes of France, a brand new vinyl record, right out of the sleeve. In life, sometimes you just know when something is of incredible quality. Finding quality artists who use sound as their canvas and keyboards as their tools is our forte. It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to interview an artist who produces music of unquestionable quality, Turismo Chris. His name is Christian Obijiofor and he’s “just a kid from Portland” finding his niche in the independent electronic music scene. Creating incredible textures using 100% software, Chris continues to broaden his understanding of synthesis with every new track. Whether you like his relentless rhythm coming from the 808s or the outer-space robot inspired synth pads, his music will make you soothe you into a floating state. I see an interesting vision coming from Chris, one that spans way beyond his own music. His dedication to his craft and his yearn to collaborate with like-minded individuals has spawned an exciting music label and movement, RCKT Sounds. He stays tucked away in the damp boroughs of Vancouver, WA devising his plans to send his message through sound out to the world. He is now in the process of finishing up his latest release 808 and Soundscapes, a collection of hip hop focused tracks. Please, come meet our latest exclusive interviewee and latest addition to the growing Freeligion Music Network, Turismo Chris. Read the full interview here.
Turismo Chris | Chillwave | Portland, OR / Vancouver, WA
“Innovate and change the world 
“
Soundcloud | http://soundcloud.com/turismochris503
Twitter | https://twitter.com/TurismoChris
Bandcamp | http://chrisohthebeatnick.bandcamp.com/
Freeligion:
First of all, what is you name and where are you from?
Turismo Chris:
My name is Christian Obijiofor and I’m from Portland, OR. I currently live in Vancouver, WA.
Freeligion:
How far does your experience with music date back? What were some of your first beats like?
Turismo Chris:
I’ve been a hardcore music listener since like 6th grade. I mostly listened to hip-hop/rap during my middle school years. But then once I got into high school, I started listening to other genres like electronica, jazz, alternative, rock, etc. I made my 1st actual beat my sophomore year. Lil Jon was a inspiration to me then so my first beats had that kind of vibe.
Freeligion:
Would you say you are going for a particular sound for each beat or each EP you put out? Or do the creative juices just flow and manifest into an organic production?
Turismo Chris:
I usually go for a certain sound in terms of the LPs I release. Since I’m mostly a hip-hop/electronica fan, that’s usually the sound I end up going for. Every now and then I just create whatever is on my mind. But I’m learning how to chop up samples right now, so I hope to expand my horizon that way.
Freeligion:
You have some pretty crazy images that accompany your sounds like the robots and the future cityscapes. How do these images influence your music?
Turismo Chris:
I feel like when I look at an art piece, it has its own story. Everything from the subject to the colors has its own kind of vibe. That understanding makes it easy for me to connect the art I find on different sites to my music. Since my music has that futuristic sound, its pretty easy to find visuals with that same theme.
Freeligion:
You are also a really talented graphic designer. How did you get started doing that?
Turismo Chris:
I actually took a graphic design class my senior year in high school. I needed an art credit so I decided to at least try it out. Turned out being the best decision I ever made lol. It allowed me to discover creativity I didn’t think I had or expressed. I had alot of friends in that class too so it was pretty fun. But yeah I’m still learning and I hope to get into it professionally in the future if music doesn’t work out. But right now, I just design strictly album covers and logos.
Freeligion:
What are you doing when you aren’t making music/designing?
Turismo Chris:
I usually just hang out with my friends. I’m always on the internet finding new plugins, blogging, or networking myself . A little known fact about me is I’m an avid anime watcher (I like more action/thriller shows). So I’m usually watching those too.
Freeligion:
Does the local electronic music scene in Portland influence your music?
Turismo Chris:
Not really to be honest. Portland’s music scenes are kind of a mixed bag really. There isn’t a huge electronic scene here that I know of other than the dubstep scene. It’s more of it’s hip-hop scene that influences my music.
Freeligion:
Not only are you a producer and designer, but also an aspiring label owner. How has the development of RCKT Sounds progressed since its inception?
Turismo Chris:
Well….it’s still in its early creation phase right now. But I’m currently making an Facebook page and a Tumblr for it. It’ll be a platform to not only release my music, but to promote artists/producers and to share visuals (album art, videos, etc.). In a way, I want it to be like both a movement and a label. Anyway, I’m just brainstorming concepts right now.
Freeligion: What can we expect from you next release?
Turismo Chris: I’m just wrapping up my 808s beat tape, which has mostly chillwave tracks. I’m working on 2 projects as of now. Kamikazes will be straight up hip-hop/rap and I’m working on a glitch-hop collab EP with my homie BasicBlink. Both will be released sometime this month. I also plan on releasing songs from some artists I produced for. Hopefully I can get to doing that soon.
Freeligion:: Let’s open it up to you for any shoutouts, last words, or anything you would like to say to your fans.
Turismo Chris: Well one thing I want get out and say to my fans reading this; this is my 1st interview. I’ve never done one before so it feels pretty cool. Also shoutout to everybody that supports me and gave my music a chance. Everyday new doors are opening for me and more artists/producers want to work with me so my dreams are becoming realized. Anyway I want to tell everybody if they’re passionate about something, go for the gusto and learn as much as you can about it. Never give up and don’t let the haters bring you down. Innovate and change the world
