Southern California-based electronic music producer and artist veggi, also known as Trevor Hutchens, released his dynamic EP PRODUCE on November 11, 2022.
Amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Hutchens utilized his extensive background as a guitarist, saxophonist, and producer to build his online platform, amassing more than 1,300,000 followers on TikTok. His one-of-a-kind content, which ranges from viral mashups and original beats to clever POVs, has kept listeners engaged across social media platforms, live tour dates, and new music releases.
Hutchens' previous EP, LIQUID, attracted support from a massive audience. With over five million collective streams on the release as well as live sets, radio, and playlist placements by the likes of SiriusXM Chill, Disclosure, Chill Nation, and Snakehips, fans set high expectations for future veggi releases.
The highly-anticipated PRODUCE EP does not disappoint. Hutchens' sizzling supermarket-themed soundscapes are a feast for the ears. Mellow opening bop "THRU THE MOTIONS" is a perfect introduction to the EP and transitions seamlessly into the second song, "GROOVE". Created in collaboration with Bipolar Sunshine and KALLITECHNIS, this tune blends signature veggi flavors with brand new sounds.
Focus track "TASTE" (with Rome Castille) debuted as a single ahead of the album's release. Between the ear-catching audio panning, clever vocal performance, and multitude of synth and rhythm elements, "TASTE" has more layers than an onion. Feel-good dance anthem "LOVE" packs a powerful punch, with a bouncy bass line and forward-thinking approach to synthesizer arrangement. "BLISS" engenders a strong sense of euphoria from start to finish. With KALLITECHNIS and Pell, veggi ends the PRODUCE EP with yet another hit. As a whole, PRODUCE represents not only the rise of Trevor Hutchens as veggi but also the future of the electronic dance genre.
We sat down with Trevor Hutchens to talk about influences, his new EP, and, of course, veggies. Check out the full interview below and listen to PRODUCE. Let us know what you think.
At what age did you start playing music?
I started playing music in fourth grade, so probably when I was ten years old. I picked up the tenor saxophone… I just joined the concert band at my school to try it out and I loved it, so I continued playing and learning to read music. In eighth grade, I joined the drumline and I started expanding into more percussion playing. It really snowballed from there; I continued doing drumline and saxophone all the way through high school.
How did you become interested in music production?
I started in high school when we were all given school-issued iPads for the first year. They all came with GarageBand on them and that’s how I got my first taste of music production, specifically. In college, I bought my first laptop and started dabbling in Ableton, which really became my favorite pastime when I wasn’t studying.
Describe your sound in three words.
Groovy, eclectic, and party. I know that last one’s not really a descriptor, but it’s exactly how listening to my music feels. I like to treat my shows like a really awesome dance party and I think it comes through in all my songs.
Who are your main musical influences?
Right now, I definitely take influence from KAYTRANADA, Toro y Moi, Neon Indian, and SG Lewis–everyone who’s in that indie dance lane is really cool. Flume is another big inspo for sure.
Where did the artist name “veggi” come from?
Everyone thinks it’s because I’m vegetarian, but I’m not… I actually got the name because I didn’t eat my vegetables. I self-coined the name because I was in an indie/alt-rock band in high school and we always practiced at the lead singer’s house. The singer’s mom sometimes made us dinner and a certain night was “make your own taco night”. I put my tacos together, but I guess I was the only one who didn’t get vegetables. Everyone was like, “Trevor, why didn’t you put any vegetables in your tacos?” and I just said it was because they call me “No Veggie Trevie”. It was the dumbest thing ever, but it stuck as a joke, and later got shortened to veggi.
"Everyone was like, 'Trevor, why didn’t you put any vegetables in your tacos?” and I just said it was because they call me “No Veggie Trevie'."
What is your favorite veggie now?
It’s a three-way tie between broccoli, brussel sprouts, and asparagus.
What role has social media played in amplifying your platform so far?
It’s been one of the most important aspects so far for me. I got TikTok for Veggibeats in late 2019 and was on the app just as an audience member before that. In early 2020, in the height of quarantine, I started trying out different types of content: music producer memes, random music videos, POVs... I was also still DJing for fun and one day, I decided to make a mashup that was so bad it was actually good.
That was the first video in my “Mashups That Should be Illegal” series. That took off and I thought, “wow, I’ve really got something here!” I’d definitely gained some sort of fan base before then, but it was really slow, so this content really helped jumpstart things.
How is your process for producing original music different from your process for making remixes and mashups?
Honestly, there isn’t much of a difference. When I’m producing music, I’ll usually go in with the mindset that I need to make a fully fleshed out idea. I’ve been trying not to think like that recently because I want to go into creation with more of an open mind. It’s important to have goals but it’s also important not to have to force yourself to make something. When I’m creating my remixes, I’ll just follow my process of making a beat or sometimes I’ll find an a capella and throw it into ableton. From there, the ideas just start flowing.
"It’s important to have goals but it’s also important not to have to force yourself to make something."
From where do you typically draw your songwriting inspiration?
I can’t really pinpoint it. I’m very much a night owl, so I’m most creative as it gets later. At around 10PM, I just tend to get into a musical mindset. Sometimes I go to coffee shops to try and make beats there, other times, I’ll go to this place in Long Beach called Hilltop Park that is just this random hill with a 360° view of everything. You’ve got the ocean to your left and Downtown LA to your right, so it can be pretty inspiring.
Tell us about your single “TASTE”.
I made that beat at around this time last year out of the blue. I went into it with the same mentality as I had when I did more BeatStore stuff, and the idea was just something that I ended up wanting to keep workshopping. I was in the studio one day with Rome, who’s on the single, showing him beats and he just said, “that’s the one.” It was already 90% done, so I let him take the lead with the songwriting for the lyrics. He had such an amazing hook for it–it’s electric.
Is the title a pun based on your artist name?
We just decided to call it that because of the hook, although it also works as a reference to veggi.
Share about your recent PRODUCE EP.
The EP is really cool. “TASTE” and “GROOVE” are focus tracks. I’m still pretty new to this niche so I’m really just trying to embrace the indie dance/disco haus vibe. One thing that I tried on the EP for the first time is that I’m actually singing on it myself. I was in choir during my senior year of high school, but I’ve always been so shy about putting my own voice in my music. PRODUCE is all about stepping out of my comfort zone.
"One thing that I tried on the EP for the first time is that I’m actually singing on it myself."
Is there one overarching concept or is each song a new idea?
They’re all kind of separate ideas. Everyone I worked with had their own unique take on it and brought a new energy. The overarching theme is sort of a play on words with PRODUCE being both the food group and also the verb “produce”, which is what I did on this EP… I guess the main theme is branching out and experimenting with my sound.
What is your favorite track on the EP?
I hate to play favorites because I love them all, but I think “TASTE” is my very top track. It just has a cool swagger and essence to it.
What was the most rewarding part of working on the project?
The most rewarding part of the project for me was being able to work with all these different artists. There are some artists that I highly admire on the EP and it was absolutely unreal to be in the studio with everyone.
What has been your favorite live music moment?
I can’t help but think back to my first LA show… There was this group of guys that came up onstage with me. They were right in front of the stage the whole time and when it came to the encore, they just got up and started dancing with me. I had no idea what was going on, but the energy was just electric.
Tell us about your PRODUCE tour.
It’s been really, really fun! I’ve had a lot of firsts on this tour, especially in terms of where I’m playing. Pretty much every show I played, with the exception of LA and San Francisco, was my first time playing in a given city or state. It’s been a learning experience, but it’s also been really exciting and engaging.
What has been your favorite venue or city so far?
Easily New York. It was such an amazing experience, from the venue, to where I was staying in Brooklyn, to just visiting the city. It was very fun and I’d love to go back.
What was the most surprising part of being on the road?
How much money you can spend at the airport. I was blowing a bag on food, snacks–anything to try and get me through my layovers every time.
Do you have any pre-show rituals or traditions?
I want this to become more of a tradition… Recently, I’ve been prepping my sets on my Oculus. I have an app with virtual DJ decks, so I can put on my VR headset and play around with decks that I want but don’t have and just de-stress.
What is the best part of being a musician?
Being able to do what I love in a way that also pays the bills. I’ve been doing music for years now and I just feel so lucky to be able to do it full time and have it as a creative outlet.
If you could go back in time to when you were first starting out, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
Don’t be so hard on yourself and don’t cringe so hard when you’re posting new content that you may think is silly. I was so scared to show my face when I was first starting out, but once I broke out of that mold and started really shaping my image, I received so much support for my music and my content.
"Don’t be so hard on yourself and don’t cringe so hard when you’re posting new content that you may think is silly."
What’s next for veggi?
A whole lot more music. This EP was just a taste (no pun intended) of what I can do and I’m really excited to ramp things up for next year. Be on the lookout for more music coming soon!