Nerdcore is a hybrid of Video Game & Pop Culture topics mixed with Rap and it’s very popular amongst gamers. Artist and Producer, Chewiecatt, is a very well known Nerdcore Artist who blew up on Youtube with his hit song, “Baby Yoda.” Fresh off an electrifying performance at NPC23 (Nerdcore Party Con 2023,) we were lucky enough to have a chat with ChewieCatt about how he got started, his inspirations, and advice for content creators out there…
G’day! Firstly, thank you for your time today, I understand you have just had a great weekend at the Nerdcore Party Con 2023 (NPC23.) How did it go? What was that experience like?
It was incredible. This was the first time I’ve performed a set for a big audience and I absolutely loved it. There’s something so special about the energy of the people there. It’s crazy to see people in the audience sing along to the words that I wrote. And then when kids came up to me wanting pictures and autographs!? My mind was blown. I always try to be the best role model I can be, and so it makes my WHOLE YEAR to hear kids (and adults alike!) say that they like my music and look up to me. Very humbling.
If we can go back to the start for a minute, how did Chewiecatt all come about? Was it always your dream to become an Artist and Producer?
Not really! I always loved to sing so I always said “I’ll make it my plan b…and if it ever takes off I’ll run with it!”.
However, how chewiecatt started is a unique story. I wanted to start a gaming channel on YouTube to get AWAY from singing ironically. So, I created a new gamertag and youtube name that combined my actual nickname (Chewie) and part of my old gamertag (Catt). Even though I wanted to focus on mainly gaming, my first upload was a parody of a sea of Thieves song..it was an inside joke really. But for my first upload it did decent on views! The rest is history.
Did you ever think you would soar to the popularity you’re at today?
Absolutely not! I knew I was having moderate success within a very niche group of people..but it wasn’t until “the baby yoda song” went viral that I knew the incredible potential my channel had.
When it comes to creating music, what’s your inspiration?
For my channel, games and pop-culture are my inspirations! I love videogames, movies etc..I’m a nerd at heart. So that’s what I base my songs off of. I also make non-nerdcore songs that I base off of my own experiences and life. Sometimes, even in my nerdcore songs, I like to make them have double meanings…that way a “Fortnite song” could be a little bit more meaningful and impactful.
With the games your music covers, does it come down to whatever you’re playing at the time, or do Developers ask you to help promote them?
I’ve yet to be asked to promote a game. It all comes from what I personally am interested in and what the community is in to.
Personally, I’m a huge Fortnight fan, and really enjoy your Fortnite songs. Do you get a sneak peek at what Epic and the Fortnite team are working on so you can prepare tracks for the new seasons?
I WISH!!!! this is a very common question I get. But, the truth is…no. I just see potential leaks online and hope and pray that they’re somewhat right haha!! Sometimes I like to take one word and base the whole song off of that. For example – I was told the new tilted was “neo-tokyo” inspired…hence my song neo tokyo. Or that one season was called “wilds”…hence the song into the wild. Long story short, I take an educated guess and it’s been pretty successful thus far haha. Most times I create the song the same night the new season trailer drops. I get very little sleep those nights.
I wish I had insider Intel, especially since I live 20 minutes from Epic games!! But I’ve never been contacted by them.
What goes into producing these tracks? How long does it take from concept to recording?
I license the instrumentals from producers (basically I buy the rights to use the song etc..) And then I get to writing, recording, and mixing. It really depends on my motivation on how quickly I get songs done…however, most times I’d say 1-2 days. A lot of songs I post the same day that I recorded them. I just get impatient and hate waiting to release a song after I’m finished with it haha. It all depends on my motivation really.
I really love the tracks “Awkward” and “Feeling Alright,” and they seem to really resonate with your fans. Since they aren’t based on games, what was the inspiration for those?
Thank you! So, not many people know, but I also am a school counselor for Kindergarten – 8th graders. I still work at a school and find time to record music around that etc. So, although some of my music is darker or has “sad undertones” I also love positive uplifting tracks!Awkward was very much inspired by my early years from 5th-6th grade. I feel like everyone has “awkward” universal experiences but never talks about them…so I decided to “talk” about them. Fun fact..the kids in my video are my actual students who are about to go to sixth grade. 🙂
A lot of your original tracks (not based on games) are really inspiring and uplifting, how important is it for you to deliver positive messages to your fan base?
It’s very important to me. But more importantly I want to be real. I want more than anything to be a good role model for people, and sometimes that means make a track or two that’s not so happy and uplifting..because all emotions are okay and make us human.
Finally, what advice do you have for aspiring artists and content creators out there who feel like they may not be getting anywhere?
Just to KEEP ON TRUCKING! I always say my advice is 1) quality over quantity…I’d rather you focus on one thing and perfect it, than to put out 5 videos/songs that even yourself wouldn’t listed to.
2) consistency is key.. always make your content on a consistent basis, whether that be once a week..once a month etc.
3) do it because you LOVE IT not because you think you want to be “famous” or “make money”. No..create the art you like because you like it. Don’t chase anything other than that because it won’t really work out..OR if it somehow DOES work, that’s how you get burnt out quickly, because you’d be making content that you don’t care much about.
Thank you so much for your time, I really appreciate it and am looking forward to your next track.
Thank you!!
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