All artists at every level go through a variety of struggles. Some challenges are easier than others, some harder for others. Artistmap by 6AM Presents: The Struggle Is Real, covers how Artistmap Game Changer members deal with everything that comes with an artist's journey from creative blocks to networking struggles and how they overcome or work on them. These artists come from all walks of life and want to let you know that you are not alone and that "the struggle is real". This installment features Komprezzor

Hailing from Mexico City and residing in Chicago for over two decades, Komprezzor has become synonymous with hardware and modular-based techno live performances in the U.S. His sounds and patterns are uncommon and disruptive to the classically trained ear—no time or scale is definitively right or wrong. He performs based on gut feeling, consistently showcasing his heavily Detroit-influenced style in every performance. Improvisation is key when it comes to his technique; much like life itself, it's unpredictable and full of external variables. His ability to arrange sounds, landscapes, and sequences on the fly at just the right moment defines his artistry. When you're present at one of his performances, simply expect the unexpected. Currently, he's working on his hardware brand, which will serve as the main operational umbrella for a label, podcast, video channel, and interviews with fellow hardware performers.

Artistmap by 6AM asks Komprezzor to share his story and how he deals with a variety of necessary challenges for the artist journey.

If you’re ready to master the discipline, focus, and strategies to level up in your artist journey, enroll in #ArtistMapby6AM, a roadmap program for house and techno artists supporting them in their quest to turn pro 🔊

How Do You Overcome Creative Blocks?

Sadly we all have those moments where we are just not inspired, I try not to overthink any of my processes, for the most part, I tend to play some video games and get lost in my modular world, always trying new patches and sequences, I will also watch some great tutorials to maximize the use I'm getting out of any piece of gear, also watching other perform helps me expand my vision, so in short take a break to enjoy some fresh air and don't feel like you are at work and your project is due tomorrow

 

How Are You Finding Your Voice as an Artist?

The Komprezzor sound is definitely unlike anything heard before as my modular and hardware Techno based  live sets are fully improvised and yet never to be repeated the same way ever again, with full drum improvisation and sequencing as well as patching the modular  on the fly, heavy FM metallic sounds and acid basslines as well as drone textures that cover the background layer, immersive 909 drum sequences heavily compressed  and and extensive array of analog processing effect units for Delays and Reverbs, I like to describe my sound as an act of a higher been being channeled through a human form, I have always felt as a vessel of communications from higher beings perhaps not even from this dimension or existential plane, over the years I have accumulated the ability to quickly improvised even on machines that I have never worked before, so in short the komprezzor sound is a one of a kind experience as no set will ever sound the same as his predecessor 

The first time I had played the same event right before one of my all-time favorites/Heroes of the Live hardware scene, Headless Horseman, He approached me and complimented my skills also by saying that it was unique and unlike anything he heard before, we have grown to become really good friends over the years and Im still learning from him constantly 

I doubt I will ever find an end to my sound or define it as I constantly keep evolving and looking for new ways to feel alive while playing in front of the crown or even behind doors in my studio, one thing is for sure, every time I play I enter into this trance where I just lose track of time and space

 

How Do You Work Towards Self Promotion?

Setting up monthly shows under the Hardware brand has really helped me self-promote my content, I am not big in the SM world and can barely manage to create an Instagram post so for the most part, playing out and letting others spread the word through their videos, has helped with promotion sometimes after a show Ill get a wave of followers on my socials and I try to post some content on my Socials at least once a week, a video of me performing is one of my favorite post as you can really see my improvisation skills as raw as possible.

 

How do you Network with Others?

I am at the point in my life where going out to a show isn't that much of an option without planning ahead with months in advance, so the way I do it is trough peer-to-peer interaction with those who follow me on my SM Channels, ill reply to youtube comments and Instagram and eventually  create a network with those whom can help me find a local promoter or find a lead for a future show, and occasionally if I m able to go out, I'm on networking mode 

Connect with Komprezzor: Resident Advisor | Instagram | Soundcloud