Well, so Anchor Fest. We talked a little about it last year, and it’s coming on back to Frederick for round two this weekend. Among the performers is Frisco LaRoche. Also of note: The event is moving from the Baker Park Bandshell to the Frederick Fairgrounds. Anyway, we caught up with Mr. LaRoche to talk about how he got into hip-hop in the first place, who influences him the most, and who he would collaborate with, were he given the opportunity to work with any artist and producer, dead or alive. The fun starts at noon, friends. Rock, rap and roll.
Take us back to the beginning. At what point did you decide you wanted to get into writing your own music and step into the rap game as something more than a hobby?
To be honest, I started taking it seriously when I dropped out of college. I attended the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in 2011 and left three months later.
How did you get involved with Anchor Fest? Have you played in Frederick recently? If not, what are you looking forward to the most about performing in Frederick?
Marc (Enongene, Anchor Fest co-finder) has been a good friend of mine since grade school. When I told him I did music, he started supporting and giving me direction on how to properly market my music. Not recently, but I performed at Cafe 611 once. Honestly, I just love performing in front of new faces, so that in itself is exciting.
Along those same lines, what are you looking forward to the most about this year’s Anchor Fest?
I’m looking forward to debuting new music, and getting on stage. Onstage is where everything around me stops and I feel like The Boss.
What’s your perception of the local music scene in and around the Frederick area, as well as Maryland as a whole?
Frederick is honestly a hub. I’m only hip to a few people, but Marconi has it. Maryland as a whole is in its bubbling stage, so I don’t really know too many artists who are actually making quality music.
Who are some of your major influences and why?
Wiz khalifa, Big Sean, Will Smith, 2 Chainz and Kid Cudi. All of them are awesome and I see them as older brothers. I learn through their music, and gain knowledge, especially when it comes to marketing.
Can you give us names of some artists we need to check out that we maybe haven’t seen yet? Who are you listening to the most these days?
Micha Williams and Bruce 2x (pronounced “Bruce 2 times”).
What do you think is the most perfect song ever written and why?
Easily “Hold Up” because no one cared about my music when I first started and now I’m getting asked for features by the same people that before hated on me.
If you could collaborate with one other MC and one other producer ever, dead or alive, who would they be and why?
Biggie and DJ Premier because Biggie would probably get me hip to many things in the industry. Premier because he makes dope beats and I know I would do them justice.
And finally, what can we expect from your set at Anchor Fest?
Expect nothing, just listen to every word!
