The Echio Quiz with San Proper

How did you learn music, and did you have mentors?

I’m autodidact—but I had a seven-year-old brother who beat me up and influenced me a lot with pop music. As for the soul, dub, and reggae influences? I don’t even know where they came from—maybe from up there. I’ve had mentors, but I call them inspirators.

For me, inspiration comes from everywhere—the music I’ve picked up and continue to discover, the food, the love, the simple people in the street. The children, the grannies, my family, the crowd, the crew, the staff. These are my mentors. Reflection is the key. You learn from everyone.

Tell us about a key piece of feedback you received during your career and from whom.

Feedback comes from friends, from heroes, from the people around me. But the most important thing? Let go. Open your mind.

My career has been influenced by so many legends who became friends—and so many friends who became legends. But real inspiration? It comes from the moment, from the people who are there with you right now.

What is good music feedback in your opinion?

Reflection. It’s the same answer as before. I can work on a track, think it’s nearly there, but something is missing. Then someone—a friend, an inspirator, a mentor—steps in and gives me a small hint, and suddenly, I hear exactly what needs to be done. Even if I don’t totally agree with their suggestion, it unlocks something.

Music feedback isn’t just about technical notes. It’s about perspective. It’s about seeing the music from a different angle. And that, my friends, is healthy. Mentally. Physically.

Check the mirror. We all look the same. (Even though I’m a bit more pretty.)

What feedback would you give to your first release?

Messy. Cheeky. But with a signature. Not perfect, but motivational. A journey. A learning session.

Like a samurai—you can’t win if you don’t lose. Every track is a lesson. Every release is schooling yourself.

If you could spend a day in the studio with one of your heroes, who would it be?

This one is tough. Too many of my heroes are gone, and it hurts to think about. Rest in peace to Mike Huckabee, Roy Ayers… I could go on forever. But if I had to choose someone still with us, I’d say Tom Trago. He’s a dear friend, and we’ve been working on Dirt Machine since 2010. It’s now 2025. We need to make more jams.

But honestly? I want to jam with everyone—old-school legends, new talent, anyone who brings something fresh to the table. That’s in my nature. I won’t stop until I drop.

What’s the object in your studio (musical or not) you can’t live without?

You should see my studio. Way too much to choose from!

I’ve got 47 guitars—each one different, each one a different mood, a different rhythm. Synths, drums, drum machines, percussion, artifacts. Records, amps, crazy speakers, cassettes, MDs, CDs, 7-inches, 12-inches, LPs, DVDs.

If I had to choose? Maybe my mic. Or this little effect pedal. Sounds cool, right?

If you were not making music, what would you do?

I’d teach you how to do it. Instead of me making music, I’d show you the way. That’s feedback too, right?

Keep running that feedback forth and back. Keep learning. Keep reflecting.