Giant Fetus is an absurd rapper with a unique background. Having gone to college, earning a Master’s Degree to teach ELA classes, getting a “respectable job”, and then ditching it all to follow his dreams. He has many different influences including Kendrick Lamar, Kurt Vonnegut, Punk Rock, Existential Philosophy, and so much more. He is also a bisexual man who took way too long to come out but is currently on a path to becoming unapologetically himself.

We had the chance to ask Giant Fetus some questions as part of The Refrain Interview Series. Check it out below.

Refrain Music Blog: Thanks for taking the time to do this interview. You have a new single out now. Tell us about it? What’s it called? 

GF: It’s called “Penis Envy”, it’s on all platforms now.

RMB: What’s the single about? 

GF: Overall, I guess it’s kind of like a boastful rally cry with a lot of personal thoughts and info thrown in there.

RMB: What’s the story on how it was recorded? The Who, When, Where etc. Was it a long process or quick? Any good stories about the recording process?

GF: Well, my friend Kieth Lail made the beat. He also has been helping me out with production overall, but I had been seeing a lot of stuff about Arcadia studios in Myrtle Beach so I decided to take it there and record it there. I’m finding that the more people I get involved in projects the better it becomes. It was a pretty quick and productive recording process though and Dee Cee and the team there are pretty killer, so I’ll probably do some more with them in the future.

RMB: Is it part of a larger album?

GF: No, it is not. I actually did just do my own album (that feels more like a mixtape now) all on my phone with the help of Keith and a few other friends. It’s called “Thrown”.

RMB: How does this single differ from your previous work?

GF: Well, “Thrown” was really more of a test for myself to see if I could do this and see if I should take this thing seriously. It kinda did start out as more of a hobby but in making it and having a few other ideas and experiences, I decided to go full force with it. But “Thrown” was probably a lot more raw overall, it probably feels more like a mixtape or something. With “Penis Envy” I think there was a more deliberate approach and an attempt to showcase specific skills. 

RMB: Tell us a little bit about yourself. When did you start pursuing music?

GF: Well right after high school I started a band with my friends and we had a bit of a local following for a while, we rearranged our line up and became a slightly different band and eventually all went different directions between school, jobs, children, etc… During that time I started playing ukulele because I just really wanted to sing still and I started a project under the name “Henry Christmas”. I put out a mini album with the help of some friends Nick Zara (The Great Reset) and Kyle Brewster (Tourneforte) who played the other instruments. Shout out to Andy Collins, he also played bass on a couple songs for that. After that I kinda took a break for a couple years and took school more seriously. I ended up getting a Master’s to teach Secondary English classes. During my grad school days I starting playing around with Garageband a lot and started making songs on there and I did a whole Henry Christmas album and somewhere towards the end of that I started making a couple beats and did a hip hop song or two. Wait, I need to backtrack a lot! I forgot to mention that back in the days when I was in the rock band I was also rapping all the time with or without my buddy Adam (Masta Murk). We recorded tracks and things all the time but it was more of a hobby-like approach, like we didn’t even really perform or anything. I kinda stopped though for that period that I took school more seriously, but I did do a couple things here and there with my other buddy Adam H (Occult JAM) who makes some of my best beats for me and we kinda work together on them sometimes. Anyway, fast forward to about a year ago, I had two songs made and kept toying with the idea of rapping again but I was a 2nd year teacher at this point and had no time or energy to spare for it. I ended up completely hating it and realizing that there was just so much that goes into teaching that I am just not about it anymore, I quit and decided to pursue my actual passion which has always been music.

RMB: Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

GF: Well I listen to a bit of everything but my biggest influences are usually the ones who are not afraid to be weird or stand out. So everyone from like David Bowie or Ian Curtis to Johnny Cash or Tyler, the Creator. I usually tell people my top 5 favorite artists are Nick Cave, Tom Waits, Tyler, the Creator, Nine Inch Nails, and Kanye. I have an obsession with 80s alt stuff though, so like all of the post punk and or new wave stuff and all in between.

RMB: What’s the one thing you are most proud of in your career so far?

GF: Well, I’m still very new and I don’t have a million fans or anything, but my Tiktok verses seem to be doing pretty well! @giant_fetus

RMB: If you had to pitch your music to a potential fan in less than 10 seconds, what would you say?

GF: Weirdo hip hop with sick flows and crazy ideas?

RMB: What’s one piece of advice you’ve gotten that you think everyone needs to hear or that has meant the most to you?

GF: Honestly, just don’t give up. If I can remember that and keep going through any setbacks or whatever, I know I can actually make it. I think you just have to be willing to put the time in because time tells all. Also, find a way to turn each failure into a learning opportunity and something you can improve on! It sounds cliche but it’s tried and true!

RMB: If you could go back in time, what’s a piece of advice you would give to a younger you?

GF: Start rapping on Soundcloud….NOW!!!

RMB: What’s coming up next for your musical project?

GF: More music, more shows, more everything really. This was just kinda to let you know I’m here and now I can hit you with everything. I am looking to play shows, events, festivals, whatever! Email me at jandersonisonline@gmail.com

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