Biography
Chief. (Nathan Martinez) is a lo-fi beats producer from Salt Lake City, Utah. Hailing from an ethnically diverse background, with Native and Mexican heritage, Nathan's friends gave him the nickname "Chief Low-Eye" during high school, because of how low his eyes went when he smoked.
His music career began around 2012, but a significant change occurred in 2019 when he left his day job to focus entirely on music production. This transition brought challenges as he found himself constantly making music, neglecting personal time, and feeling stressed about meeting new demands. He now claims to have a better work-life balance.
Nathan found inspiration for beat production by listening to Joey Badass and bsd.u. Nathan learned how to use the SP-404 drum machine and relied heavily on sampling, but he has since evolved his approach.
Nathan's song-making process varies for each track, starting with morning sessions on his Nord keyboard and then refining compositions in Ableton, adding drums, textures, and occasionally utilizing field recordings and electric guitar. He aims to create tracks with immediate appeal and avoids producing what he calls "filler material".
Throughout his career, Nathan has collaborated with various vocalists, rappers, and beat producers, including Joe Nora, SwuM., Shrimpnose, Flavors, and Floridomi.
Among his personal favorites is the popular song "Sorry," born from a difficult period during a fight with his girlfriend. He also holds "Be Here Now" in high regard, considering it one of his best tracks with exceptional chord progressions and melodies.
Currently, Nathan is working on his project "Phases," which explores different emotions and experiences he encountered during the summer of 2019. The project encompasses solo tracks and collaborations, reflecting his dedication to producing authentic and refreshing music.
As an artist striving to break free from conventional genres and trends, Nathan aspires to push the boundaries of his sound and prioritize genuine artistry over popularity metrics. His heartfelt compositions continue to resonate with listeners, earning him recognition and appreciation on his ongoing musical journey.
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