Lofi producer coldbrew, aka Austyn Moffat, recently released his new single, “my babe,” a track presaging his upcoming album, no time to waste, set to drop on December 8. An Oklahoma-based musician and label owner, his life is rooted in his sole passion, music, and he spends his days making lofi beats as coldbrew and releasing similar music via his label Kindbrew Records, including songs by softy, Mondo Loops, Oatmello, and Mujo.
Originally just making chill, percussion-heavy beats in his bedroom as a relaxing break for the heavier electronic music he’d been making, Moffat never imagined that this instrumental passion project could actually have listeners. But it did, in spades.
When Moffat released his first EP, welcome to my mind, in 2019, the results were staggering. Tens of thousands of people tuned in to the deliciously trippy EP in the first week. He called this lofi persona coldbrew since the tunes were ideal for coffee shops, and that beverage was his favourite.
XS Noize spoke with coldbrew to learn more about the lofi scene, how his hometown impacted his sound, and how he’s changed as a person and an artist.
What three things can’t you live without?
My laptop (to listen to music and create music), sourdough bread (for food), and cannabis (to make me feel immense amounts of gratitude for my laptop and the bread).
Why do you make music?
I make music because it is my ikigai (reason for being). The process of silence to a song is the closest to magic I think we can get as humans. I love making music, and that is why I make it.
What inspired your upcoming new single, “my babe,” which sees you returning to your original lofi roots?
The answer is in the question. It is a return to my roots. A return to that feeling that made me fall in love with lofi beats. It isn’t about the lyrics or the chords or the drums; it’s about the feeling you get when you listen to it. This track was me letting go of anything I’ve made before and anything I may make after and just focusing on the now and what is right in front of me.
Tell us a bit about the flourishing Lofi/Jazzy Beats scene.
It is unlike any other scene of music. If I had to describe the scene in one word, it would be selfless. It is a bunch of people making beats for people to live their lives to. Many listeners use lofi as a tool. A tool to help with their studies, to help with stress and anxiety, to help them fall asleep at night. Many lofi producers also create lofi because it helps them. I know I started making lofi myself because it helped me immensely with my anxiety.
Please walk us through your mindset as you enter the studio to record the single.
My mind was clear. I was open. Open to whatever may come and respecting whatever may come. Songs ask things of us as we create them, and my goal was just to be as open to whatever the song wanted as possible.
Do you use any special recording techniques in the studio?
Nothing special. Some tape emulators, eq, compression, and feeling. No quantization. It’s important to me that the songs I create sound like real life, and real life isn’t straight and perfect.
“my babe” is from your forthcoming 20-track album, no time to waste, slated for release on December 8. What can you share about the album?
I created this album over four days, and I am releasing it only three months after it was recorded. There is ‘no time to waste.’ You can expect lots of warm fuzzy feelings while listening.
Where are you from? And did your hometown impact your sound?
I am from Stillwater, Oklahoma. I wouldn’t say my hometown impacted my sound; I would say it impacted my song titles. Where I grew up, the most prominent live music is singer-songwriters. My parents would take me to shows all the time. These shows usually had about 50 people sitting on folding chairs listening to someone with an acoustic guitar singing about their life. Some of the best songs I have ever heard are from people with a few hundred monthly listeners on Spotify (or not even on Spotify at all). I bring that storytelling element into my music via the song titles, as most songs are instrumental. Everything I release has a story tucked into the title.
What inspires your writing? Do you draw inspiration from poems, music, TV, or other media?
Everything. I am sure this is a common answer, but inspiration comes from anywhere and everywhere. The key is being open to it when it comes.
What can you share about your writing process?
It is usually pretty simple. I look for a sample that speaks to me; sometimes, I chop it up, and sometimes I don’t. Depends on what the song wants. My goal is to make the best feeling music possible. It is all about the feeling. Finding what the song wants and following that thread. It is about living in the moment and following what feels right.
Which artists, in your opinion, are killing it right now?
imagiro, Arbour, and Quickly are making beautiful art right now. I highly recommend the album ‘The Long and Short of It’ by quickly quickly, and imagiro’s latest project ‘unfold.’
How do you define success?
Freedom and happiness. That’s it.
Over the last few years, how have you changed as a person and as an artist?
I’ve changed a lot as both. I hope I always continue to change as both. As a person and artist, I am constantly evolving and growing. As a person, I have been living a much healthier lifestyle and have been working harder than ever on my mental health. As an artist, I have been much more open to what the music wants from me. For instance, three years ago, I may have been making a song and told myself, ‘You can’t use this snare because you’ve already used it in five songs.’ Today, I would say, ‘Do whatever is best for this song, and do not worry about any songs you have made or have yet to make.’
Listen to “my babe” – BELOW:
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