Living in a Zoo - Une Conversation avec LAZ
Laszlo Feher ‘20, who performs under the name LAZ, has been rapping and making music for over two years. He started the year off strong with an energetic performance at the MASH, and then opened for LA-based hip hop artist Yeek. Known for his beaming personality and eccentric fashion sense, LAZ has established his place within Wesleyan's music community as a prominent musician and performer.
Allison Hsu '20 interviewed the Belgian-American-Parisian rapper, discussing his newest mixtape, his musical influences, and his plans for the future, while waiting in the Pastabilities line at Usdan.
Laszlo, who never strays from the unconventional, ordered white pasta with a mix of the arrabiata sauce and the cream sauce, to which Tom, the Pastabilities guy, scoffed and responded “No, absolutely not. Why the hell would you want to mix that?”
While some might be critical of his choices, it is Laszlo’s penchant for experimentation and blending sounds (as well as pasta sauces) in unexpected ways that set him apart.
Tell me about your new mixtape - what can we expect?
So there are 7 songs, two of which are already released - “Come on Babe!!” and “WES” - and the songs are arranged in an order that really flows. All of the songs are currently finished and recorded. Some of the songs have actually been done for about a year, but I don’t want to release the entire mixtape at once, so the next song will be released in the next week or so.
And you released a music video for “WES”. What was the process behind that?
Yeah, so all of that video is shot in different places in Paris, and it features all of my close friends. Part of it was filmed at my best friend’s house, and a friend of a friend directed and did the editing. I wanted it to be very fun and goofy, you know? And Parisian.
So the song is called “WES”, but is it about Wes?
No, actually it’s called “WES” because it’s a Wes Montgomery sample, but I guess it’s easy to make it about Wesleyan too.
What’s it like to be a rapper at Wesleyan?
It’s so fun. Amazing. My original plan at the beginning of last year was to get a band together, but everyone is kind of doing their own thing. I’ve been talking to my friends who are in bands (Flaccid Ashbacks, Barbara Shop, Good Morning Connecticut) about potential collabs, so we’ll see. I’ve also been working with producer Sam McCarthy (‘20), and we have really great chemistry.
Who do you want to work with on campus that you haven’t gotten the chance to?
I would love to pull a Chance the Rapper move and collaborate with an a cappella group. That would be really cool.
This is a question we really like to ask at Aural Wes - what are you listening to?
I’ve been listening to a lot of R&B. Berhana has an EP called “Berhana” which is incredible. Daniel Caesar too. And last summer I listened to SZA a lot. Also SiR who’s a TDE artist. I’ve been listening to him a lot, and he’s great.
Who are your biggest influences?
Kendrick Lamar. He’s the best rapper of all time, in my opinion. Also Busta Rhymes. There are a lot of French rappers and artists that have been really influential - L’entourage, S.pri Noir, Nekfeu, and there’s this new guy Krisy who’s amazing. And also Noname, Mick Jenkins, and Smino.
Do you think your musical/songwriting style has changed at all this year?
Yeah, I’m trying to get my shit together, and I want to be more political.
