14 FAKTS INTERVIEW WITHFENRA

Fresh off the release of his debut EP, Delusional, FENRA is the electronic moniker of producer B Laws, who grew up surrounded by art and first fell in love with harmony while listening to hymns in church with his grandmother. After teaching himself guitar at the age of 14 and later experimenting with synths, vocals, and drums in bands that toured across the US, Europe, and Asia, he is now channeling his experience into a new artistic chapter. Drawing inspiration from pioneers like Caribou, Four Tet, Floating Points, Bonobo, and DJ Koze, FENRA crafts music that bridges the cinematic with the deeply personal.

The original ‘CHICAGO’ is a footwork-inspired, atmospheric breakbeat track anchored by a shuffling rhythm and a minimal, hopeful synth line, layered with organic textures and heavenly choral vocals that lift the track into the stratosphere. Oliver Schories injects a thrumming house pulse into the track, subtly transforming FENRA’s twinkling textures into an evolving, hypnotic soundscape that will entice fans of Adriatique, Yotto and Artbat.

Q: Please introduce yourself

Hello, I’m FENRA, an electronic music project from Portland, Oregon. 

Q: One person you'd dream to have a coffee with?

Mmm, there are so many musicians I’d love to meet, so picking just one is kind of hard. I’ll say Richard D. James. I’d want to ask him nerdy questions about his process and gear. 

Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

The ability to turn back time.

Q: If you would have been given the chance to do a film score, what movie would you choose and why?

Something in the horror genre would be fun—maybe 28 Days Later. I love the scene where Cillian Murphy wakes up from being in a coma and walks around London while it’s completely empty. The movie takes its time and gives a lot of space for the music to carry the viewer. And of course, the tension with the zombies.

Runner-up would be Hackers from 1995. I’d love any reason to make some dated electronic music. 

Q: Who influenced you the most in your music career and why?

I’ve been really inspired by Caribou over the years. I like how he keeps evolving and following his heart in terms of style. I feel like there’s pressure in the music industry to stick to a style, develop a brand, and build an audience around that. I love making a lot of different kinds of music, and it’s encouraging to see someone do that so well. 

Q: Tell us about your journey, what got you to where you are today?

My path has been full of turns. I grew up in California, went to study in London, moved to Oregon, toured for years in indie bands, got burnt out, went up to Alaska to fish commercially, then came back to Oregon and opened a store.

Later I got into writing music for commercials, got burnt out again, and started doing production for a big corporation.

Just last year I gave myself a goal of making music every day just for myself. That blossomed into FENRA, and here I am.

Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting out their career in music?

I would tell them to learn a bit of theory—it can really help. I’d also say to use reference tracks, not just for mixes but for arrangements too. There is so much that can be learned by deep listening and taking apart other people’s songs. And set aside time for improvisation—it will help develop your voice and style.

Q: Can you recall a DJ set or performance of yours that remains unforgettable to you? Where did it take place, and what makes it stand out among all others?

My band played a super tiny music festival in Japan on an uninhabited island. There were only a few hundred people there, and everyone camped and shared meals together. It was so cute and the people were so sweet—I’d love to go back there.

Q: How has your music style evolved over the years?

I’ve always loved electronic music but didn’t start making it until recently. I think that’s because I always wanted to make music with my friends. As a teenager I was really into metal, but I ended up playing in a math rock band because that was the scene.

When I moved to Portland it was all indie bands, and I played guitar in half a dozen groups. I remember playing in a trio and getting an old Moog Taurus synthesizer to play bass with my feet. I really liked the noise and the sample-and-hold function. It was kind of a gateway drug into more synths—and then tape machines and drum machines.

Q: If you were to venture into another music genre, which one would you choose and why?

I like ambient electronic—stuff like Jon Hopkins or Oneohtrix Point Never. Soundscape music that I can put on late at night to come down from the day.

Q: Could you name 3 tracks that got you into electronic music and why?

For this I’ll pick some classics:

1- “Around the World” by Daft Punk — I remember seeing the Michel Gondry music video for this as a kid and thinking it was so cool.

2- “Come to Daddy” by Aphex Twin — also has a great music video.

3- “Firestarter” by The Prodigy — pivotal. Really amazing energy.

Q: Can you recommend a hidden gem in your home country that would be perfect for a rave?

There’s a series of caves near where I live in Oregon called the “Ape Caves.” It’s a 3 km-long lava tube located in a forest—great vibe.

Q: Could you tell us about your upcoming releases and plans for the year?

I’m planning on releasing a lot of FENRA music this year. I have another EP that I’m currently mixing, two finished collaborations and another two underway, plus a couple of remixes. I’m hoping to have all of this out before fall. No big tours yet, but hopefully soon.

Q: Can you share a fun fact about yourself that most of your listeners are probably unaware of?

I love to build things. I’ve designed and built furniture and also a little cottage.