Interview by Tessa Barker
FreeMusicForFreePeople is like a tree with three main branches; Free People Records, The Denver Underground, and FreePeopleTV. Although all of the branches are simultaneously cultivating new ideas and projects, FreePeopleTV’s branch is currently blooming as it prepares for its launch of Season 1. The Denver Underground sat down with the gardeners of FPTV to discuss how they’ve been nurturing the media company and what viewers can expect from Season 1.
What is your role in FPTV?
JuiceBox: I’m the host of Let’s Get Bizzy Creating, which is an offshoot of the Let’s Get Bizzy podcast which is now collaborating with FreePeopleTV, and I also am a producer.
Michael Figge: I’ve been the “brand man” for the past year. I’m in charge of branding for the company and I do the visual and graphic designing.
Fayth Krause: I lead the artist sessions in which we go to an artist’s house, apartment, basically where they create music where they do a bare bones acoustic set followed by an interview. It’s really cool because we get to see them make the music in the place where the magic happens. I film and edit those.
Luke Barba: Mine is audio engineering.
Mona Magno: Executive producer is my overarching role. But I would say I am a steward of the vision, cultivating what exactly we do and how we do it. I try to take all of the hard work we’ve done over the past year and find ways for it to be released into the world.
In your own words what is FPTV?
Magno: FPTV is exposed music culture. We believe the creative community has stories to tell, so we focus on those stories and offer opportunities for artists to be highlighted and be put into collaborative opportunities—a sort of Denver focused music television.
Krause: I see it as a media space that is by and for artists in the community.
Barba: A cultural expressions of the Denver area’s music community.
There are a lot of Denver based media companies that produce similar video content to FPTV. How would you say FPTV is unique from other media collectives and production companies?
Magno: I think what sets us apart is the emphasis on creating engaging and compelling media. The heart behind it isn't just creating something for an audience, but we’re creating something that could be utilized by the artists to progress their creative pursuits.
JuiceBox: I think our production quality sets us apart also. We’re very focused on quality over quantity. We give the viewer the best experience possible as well as highlight the artists being featured in literally the best lighting possible and more metaphorically as well.
What is the purpose of FPTV? What would the ideal outcome look like for you?
Juicebox: Get rich! I mean that's part of it but more so to make everybody rich. To bring prosperity to the Denver community and wherever we decide to branch out after that.
Barba: I would agree with that. I want to see artists in our community get exposure. But like we said it’s quality over quantity. It's not just because they’re artists and they’re local; it's because we think they’re really good artists and deserve more exposure than they're getting.
Krause: There is so much good local music, and I want to see that get celebrated more. FPTV is a way to do that.
Figge: I think we felt some of the stuff we were including when we initially released content didn’t quite get the views, so we’re trying to get more exposure because we really believe that it is good content.
Magno: I hope that people are inspired. I hope that it pushes people to want to create videos or music and ultimately feel a strong sense of pride in what has been developing in Denver in this renaissance that we are a part of.
What can viewers expect from Season 1?
Magno: Season 1 is focusing on highlights of different segments that we produce. It's a variety of music coverage, whether that's live sets, artists sessions or interviews with artists, just a mix of everything. You’ll also be diving into the FreeMusicForFreePeople universe.
Where can FPTV Season 1 be viewed?
Magno: It will be streamed on Twitch (@FreePeopleTV) starting on June 3rd at 10:00 pm and will air every Wednesday in June. After every episode airs you can then find it on our website.
On a personal level how has FPTV impacted your life?
Magno: For me engaging in this kind of work is not only my life’s passion, but it also has become extremely fulfilling cultivating this team of other creative people who are also passionate about music and media. I think that part of this project has really made an impact on the way I create art. I hope that we blaze a trail for people to come together who are passionate about the same things: to do something beyond themselves.
JuiceBox: I am extremely excited and grateful to be a part of FPTV because it has filled me with a sense of purpose and this drive for success just being surrounded by creative folk coming together on this common idea. It really feels like the beginning of something special.
Krause: It's so nice having creative freedom, and I’ve definitely felt confidence in my craft grow through this. It's so nice to be trusted that my ideas are going to be good as well as receiving honest feedback. I mean how often do you get that in a media company?
Figge: I like to be able to do what I want to do and Mona has trusted me to do that which is so awesome. I’m really excited to see how this comes together because it's a lot of different people’s hard work.
Barba: I love that FM4FP is centered around music and art and freedom of expression and not necessarily being bottom line or being a profit machine. It is about the art and that's the important thing.
The relaxed yet driven demeanor in this group of creatives is mirrored in their work. FPTV Season 1 is a beautiful display of creativity, self-expression and artists who make Denver such an amazing place. Tune in on June 3rd to experience all FreePeopleTV and it’s collaborating artists have to offer.