Gozé, is the alias of producer/artist Sebastian Fritze. Hailing from Stockholm, Sweden and currently based in Venice, CA, Gozé is deeply inspired by the melodic hooks and beat-based poetry of 90’s Hip Hop. The project began with a simple concept in mind: to have a new featured artist on every track he releases, ultimately infusing each song with a fresh vibe and keeping the listener on their toes. Fritze is also a member of the acclaimed indie rock band Grizfolk.
Gozé has an emporium of successes including playing sold-out arenas, at venues including Red Rocks and Radio City Music Hall as well as live television performances on David Letterman, Conan O’Brien and many more. His single “Chasing Dreams” featuring rapper Old Man Saxon and trans activist Shea Diamond is the official song for Hulu’s Original Documentary, “Changing The Game.”
His latest single “Wish U Well”, features New York rapper LoftBlue and Los Angeles artist Sakari. The 90s hip-hop inspired tune is rich in poetic production, emitting a cool, laid-back aura. Starting off with an icy intro, the smooth beat and deep bassy burn shifts into an alluring emporium of vocals from Sakari, giving off buckets of class and creating a cool, mellow atmosphere. Gozé divulges, “I get inspired by songs that take you on a journey. I wanted the listener to feel like they start somewhere and end up somewhere else and at that point say ‘wait, is this the same song?’ to then bring them back home again.”
Tell us about the story of your act
Gozé started in 2020 in Venice, CA. It set out as a producing/artist project that had a vision to find new and developed artists and to combine their world with the sonics of Gozé.
What is the message behind your art?
To push creativeness and not to be afraid to explore new worlds.
What are some sources of inspiration for your lyrics and storytelling?
I let the artist that I work with have creative freedom when it comes to lyrics. The music bed I present usually sets the tone and then work off of that.
Who is an artist that you look up to more than others today?
I look up to a lot of artists. Right now Hitboy is killing the producer game and bringing all sorts of diversity to his productions.
All time favorite record?
2pac All Eyez On Me or Nas Illmatic
Tell us about your latest release and how it came about
The latest release is called “Wish U Well’ Feat. LoftBlue and Sakari. It came about when I reached out to Loftblue who I had met in New York earlier that year. We had talked about making a song together. Time passed and then the pandemic hit. Not being able to travel during that time I sent him this beat, which he instantly vibed on . He wrote the verses and at that point I started hearing it as a duet and wanted the song to feel like 2 songs in one. Almost like the track has two parts to the story. I didn’t have a female artist that fit the sound I was looking for until I reached out to Ras Austin who I’d worked with on a previous release and he introduced me to Sakari. We jumped on a zoom call and she also vibed on the track and she ended up being perfect for it. I’m so happy to have her on this track and I’m excited to keep on working with her as she has an amazing career ahead of her.
You seem to be fusing several musical genres. What inspires your sound?
I have so many influences musically, from growing up listening to Hip Hop in LA and then moving to Stockholm, Sweden and getting introduced to pop and electro music to then writing and producing for Grizfolk an alt rock band. I think it all makes me who I am musically.
What excites you the most about what you do?
That I get to go to work doing what I love. Anything is possible in the world I’ve created for myself. There are definitely times I doubt myself and question why I am doing this but when I get into a flow and I’m in the moment when creatively I feel unstoppable , it’s the best feeling!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
My brain is filled with ideas and dreams. If 5% of them are achieved in 5 years I’ll be happy and then I’ll fill those 5% with more ideas and dreams:)
Your style is very original and elaborate. How do you take care of your aesthetics?
I figured out what I like and feel comfortable in. I think that is the key to aesthetics. Whether it’s clothes or design, you need to feel comfortable in it. It’s probably not even that original or elaborate at the end of the day, it’s just that the energy that I express is in my comfortability.
What was the most daunting moment in your career so far?
I feel like I have daunting moments all the time but luckily they are short and over quick. Right before I played David Letterman I was running a software program that runs all my plug-in and patches. I realized something was wrong and had to restart the program as Letterman is announcing the band. It was like those scenes in movies when someone is trying to download secret files and it gets done right before they kick down the door.
What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
I can’t really say it’s advice but more a state of mind. My parents always told me it’ll all work out and not to worry. I think being taught that has made me unafraid of trying new things and really stepping out of my comfort zone as often as possible.
Where do you think the next game changer will be in the music industry and entertainment scene?
I don’t know much about it but blockchain technology seems like it’s the future. NFT’s might be the new way to actually survive in the music industry as an artist, even though it sounds confusing and difficult, I think the more we understand it the more that world will open up and be a huge part of the industry.
