Ones2Watch Home

Photo: Angel Orozco

Young and in humble awe, Walter The Producer is alt-indie’s latest prodigy. 

Under the guise of a pseudonym, 21-year-old Reid has set himself free, concocting an eclectic sound that far surpasses his age. A producer first and foremost, stepping into the role of performer has gifted him the ability to tell narrative and experiment more emphatically with sound, only deepening his artistic ability.

A kaleidoscopic record of disco pop and indie funk, Walter The Producer bends both time and genre to deliver his latest multi-part project, PLEASE HELP ME I'M SCARED. Exploring discontentment amidst dreams come true, there’s vulnerability paired with a declaration of ability—he knows what he’s capable of and is simply grateful we care enough to witness it.

Confirmed for a Lollapalooza set, there is only more in store for Walter The Producer. Ahead of his project release, we got to sit down with the burgeoning artist and discuss everything from his Zane Lowe shout-out to making his favorite song to date.

Ones To Watch: One particular thing that stands out about your work is how genre-less it is. Would that be attributed to growing up hearing an eclectic catalog of music? Who were you listening to?

Walter The Producer: I’m a classic Tyler, The Creator universe kid. So Childish Gambino, Steve Lacy, Tame Impala. I just wanted to produce so I was really into producers for a long time. I still am. I’d find songs I liked and then find out who produced them. I was more inspired by them than anything, like No I.D.

Do you feel more comfortable in the role of producer than performer? Is it difficult to come out of your shell for the latter?

I definitely have to work on coming out of my shell when I’m doing the artist stuff. I like both honestly, I feel like for the artist stuff I can fully express myself. When I’m producing, I can’t express those things, but then I produce a lot of hip-hop and rap for other artists that I don’t do myself as an artist, so that’s cool too.

You’re certainly expressing. This album is incredibly honest. Have you found catharsis in writing about your internal world or does it make you spiral deeper?

That’s a good question. When I do something it’s pretty in the moment, so it’s more cathartic overall, but there are some moments when it makes me spiral deeper. But it’s good, it’s a good spiral.

Makes sense. I feel like PLEASE HELP ME I'M SCARED is as if “U” by Kendrick Lamar was an entire album.

To Pimp A Butterfly and me are absolutely the same album. Definitely on the same level for sure. Definitely not an insane comparison. It’s definitely not way better than me. Haha. This is the only time I’ll ever get that comparison so I’m enjoying it.

Lollapalooza is coming up, Zane Lowe shouted you out. Huge things are happening for you. What’s been the most surreal moment thus far?

The Zane Lowe thing came out of nowhere, that was so surreal. I grew up respecting him so it was like “What?” Lollapalooza is crazy too. I was like “What the fuck?” Respectfully. Those were the two moments that were like “Whoa, I’m actually maybe doing this for real.” 

What do you think little you would think about all of this?

Me THREE years ago just wanted to produce for people, I wasn’t trying to do all of this. I’m super introverted until I’m really annoying, and then once I’m annoying, I’m super annoying. But in high school I didn’t talk at all, so this is all really crazy. Little me wouldn’t believe any of this. My dream was, and still is, to be the biggest producer. I just wanted to produce for other people, like a Kanye to Jay-Z, this is a dream I didn’t even expect. But dreams change. This is something I didn’t know could happen and I’m so glad it did. Maybe I’ll shift more to production in the future but this is definitely cool right now.

You have the name for it! Megan Thee stallion, Tyler, the Creator—there’s power with the three-part name. How did you land upon it?

I was a really big Mac Miller fan, Swimming was the first album I fell in love with, I was like 14 when it came out. His producer name was Larry Fisherman. I started uploading my beats when I was 15 and I didn’t want anyone at my school to know it was me, so I was like “What’s a name like Larry Fisherman?” Walter is kind of like Larry. And I was producing. So, Walter The Producer. 

As the project enters the world, are there any visuals planned out? That seems to be another layer of artistry for you.

That’s all Dylan Budnieski, I can’t take any credit for that. He’s so unbelievably talented, he’s going to be one of the biggest directors ever when he’s done with me. We don’t have any visuals planned at the moment but hopefully soon.

You mentioned on Instagram that “WALLBOY” is your favorite thing you’ve ever put out, can you speak more to why that is?

That song was one of the first songs where I was truly transparent in my writing. I love how it came together, I co-produced it with Ryan Raines who is super talented. It’s the first song where I’m fully transparent about how I feel. Ryan really helped me express it. I’m really proud of the writing.

People are finally getting to hear PLEASE HELP ME I'M SCARED. Are you excited, anxious? What does this next chapter feel like?

I’m excited, I’m nervous, I have no plan. I don’t know what’s next so I’m just going to keep dropping, I have a lot of unreleased stuff I’m excited to share after this. 

Last question: as a humble producer, what’s the best-produced song of all time in your opinion?

"Marcy Me" by Jay-Z. No I.D. produced it and it’s one of my favorite beats of all time. It doesn’t sound like anything I do. I mean, I have beats like that but no one takes them. Haha.