Portland-based producer FENRA has just released his debut single, ‘COFFEE’, via 6x Records, offering a mesmerizing introduction to his forthcoming EP, Delusional, out November 28, 2025. The track – mastered by Aneek Thapar (known for work with Rival Consoles and Max Cooper) – blends ambient, downtempo, and organic textures into a woozy, cinematic soundscape that feels both intimate and expansive. The electronic project of Santa Rosa-born artist B Laws, FENRA draws from a rich musical background spanning DIY bands, international tours, and early encounters with harmony in church hymns. Inspired by the likes of Caribou, Four Tet, Floating Points, and Philip Glass, his work is both genre-blurring and emotionally resonant; qualities that shine through in the dulcimer-laced, vocal-warped dreamscape of ‘COFFEE’.
Read our interview with the emerging artist and take a listen to ‘COFFEE’ below.
Paint us a picture: what sparked your passion for the arts in the first place? Was there a single moment or experience that solidified your decision to pursue this path?
There wasn’t one polished ‘aha’ moment—it started in high school when I was grounded for a year (my folks were pretty religious and honestly I was a little wild). With nowhere else to go, I ended up spending nearly all my time in my room playing guitar. What began as a way to pass the time kept getting more and more interesting. By the time I reached college, I was in bands, making music, going on little tours, and hosting dance parties. Music became both my outlet and my community, and that sense of freedom and connection has kept me on this path ever since.
When you create, what leads the way – a feeling, a story, or the sound itself?
You know, it changes depending on the project, but with FENRA I almost always start from a sound. It doesn’t have to be musical at first, just something that sparks interest. I’ll mess around with it—stretch it, pitch it, twist it into something new. Once I’ve got that, I’ll drop in a four-on-the-floor kick and jam on the keys until the track starts to form. Honestly, it’s all about iteration. The important thing is just to start.
What’s in your toolkit? Share the gear, gadgets, or software you can’t create without.
Right now my setup is pretty minimal: I record and mix everything on a MacBook Air with Ableton. It’s lightweight and portable, which lets me be really impulsive with my writing. I carry it in a backpack and work on music every day—probably 80% of the time away from home. That freedom has been huge. When I am in the studio, I lean heavily on the Moog Matriarch. It shows up on almost every track, whether I’m running drums and percussion through its filters or using it for sequences, chords, and noise. I also get a lot of mileage out of my Roland 606.
What’s your go-to ritual or trick for getting into the creative zone?
I don’t have a ritual but I do have a habit. I commit to a music session every day for at least five minutes. It really works. Half the time an hour will pass on a day when I wasn’t really feeling it.
What’s the one item you always keep within arm’s reach while creating or performing?
I like to have a keyboard. Even if it’s just for samples or if I’m doing a DJ set. The keyboard is my comfort blanket.
How did you ultimately end up defining your sound?
For me, finding a cohesive sound has never come naturally. I’m comfortable moving between techno, pop, and RnB, and I tend to chase new ideas restlessly. To give this project its own identity, I created boundaries and built a palette of sounds. From the start, I knew I wanted to write within a certain BPM range, lean heavily on samples, and let the music unfold at its own pace. The goal was to make something deep, subtle, and smooth—music that takes its time.
How has your creative process or perspective shifted since you started your journey?
My relationship with instruments has changed a lot over time. I began with guitar, and as anyone who immerses themselves in a single instrument early on knows, it deeply shapes your musical lens and writing style. Now, though, I treat guitar as I would a violin, a conga, or even a vocal—just another preset in the palette. When I compose, I think primarily in terms of notes and rhythms, detached from the instruments that might play them. I’ll test the same harmony across strings, synths, or piano, knowing each choice shifts the emotional weight of the track. That shift in perspective has been a real game changer for me, giving me a much more fluid approach to sound.
Walk us through a recording session: what’s the most memorable moment you’ve had in the studio?
I spent very little time in the studio for this one and the vast majority of the production was done in a coffee shop with earbuds. When I think about the process and the moments that were most exciting it was times when things were coming together and I was trying not to nod my head too hard at 8am in public.
Are there any unexpected or dream collaborations hidden in your work?
I would really like to collaborate with some female Spanish vocalists. I speak just a little Spanish but I love the sound. I think it could be good.
Any side projects you’re working on?
Actually yes, I am in the middle of finishing an album with my band, Hosannas. It’s quite different than FENRA. More nostalgic and chill. I sing and play guitar in that project.
Who’s an emerging artist you think deserves more recognition right now?
I think this one might be on the verge of breaking but Koreless is making some really rad stuff.
What’s the strangest or most surprising song currently on your playlist?
I found this track called ‘Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming’, it’s a choral piece from 1609. Super gorgeous melodies and harmonies. Pretty off brand for me to spin a hymn but it’s fire.
Which song, album or playlist do you never get sick of no matter how many times you listen to it?
This is a hot take but I have very little nostalgia and get sick of music pretty easily. That’s not to say I don’t have favorite artists, but I don’t go back to the same album or songs. When I find something I like I’ll listen to it 100 times and then I’m good.
Are there any unexpected hobbies or projects you’re exploring outside of your main work?
I love design and building things but at the moment I’m just working on this.
If your life and career were an album, what would its title be, and what’s the hidden track only your fans would know?
I’m still figuring this out.
Give us a glimpse into the future – what surprises or milestones are coming up for you this year?
I’m planning on doing some shows with FENRA in the coming year. I’ve toured a lot but never solo and I’m pretty excited about it.
Famous last words?
I’m just grateful to be here.
Stream ‘COFFEE’ below:
Follow FENRA:
Website – Instagram – Facebook – Soundcloud – TikTok – Youtube
