25/07/2024
ON THE MOVE WITH FAST TRACKERS
Fast Trackers is a musical group consisting of songwriter/producers and artists David McClintick Roberts of Rye Catchers and Terry Sartor Music. The two of them have been on the music scene for many years now. Each one brings their own idiosyncratic components to Fast Trackers. Out of Milwaukee, Dave is the mastermind behind the wonderful pop rock outfit Rye Catchers. Residing in Atlanta, Terry brings his extensive DJ background and production experience in the electronica as well as pop music spaces. Together as Fast Trackers, the two create a lively and striking sound fit for today’s hyperpop music scene. Let’s find out more from David and Terry in a Valiant Horizon Q&A session.
How did you get your start in music?
Dave: I remember always relishing music – I can probably thank my parents for my first memories as a very young child: sitting on some awful green ‘70s s**g carpet and listening to The Beatles on vinyl. I would get the lyrics wrong and, undeterred, sing along to “Band on the Run” for hours.
As far as being a musician myself, I am self-taught. My compositions are still formulated ‘by ear’. I began as a drummer in a high school band but realized my true love was music composition, so I purchased a keyboard and that is my primary tool for creating music. I did some studio projects long ago in the early ‘90s, but did not really begin seriously and consistently writing and producing ‘til just recently, several years ago, right before the Covid pandemic hit. From there I quickly adapted to the remote production approach which works really well for me!
Terry: I first started DJing at my alma mater Emory University at the radio station there WMRE. From there, I started DJing professionally while still an Emory student in Atlanta’s trendy Buckhead district. After years of playing other people’s music as a DJ at major music venues across the Southeast here in the U.S., it was time to make my own music! Thus Valiant Horizon was born! I released my first single “Industry” on Valiant Horizon - which was also the first Valiant Horizon release. Since that start, I have released a number of singles on Valiant Horizon. In addition, I have an album called UNBOUNDER. My sound goes everywhere from electronica to pop as well as rock. I like to explore diverse musical terrains.
How did Fast Trackers come to be?
Dave: Fast Trackers was the brainchild of Terry Sartor who publishes my work. He is also a producer and suggested we collaborate. Terry had some lyrics he had written years ago and asked if I might build some music around them. They were very upbeat and I could almost hear the melody line and hook as I read what was written down, and that became our first tune titled “Super Time”.
Terry: Since Dave and I are both artists on Valiant Horizon, the formation of Fast Trackers was a natural progression. He has been an awesome music partner with his superb production skills and boundless songwriting creativity shown front and center on the Fast Trackers singles “Super Time” and “Parachute Pants” as prime examples.
What was the creative and production process like for the Fast Trackers debut “Super Time single?
Dave:The process was very different from my usual approach. Typically I come up with chords first and flesh out a song with the music coming first and the lyrics and melody line last. In this case the process was reversed since I was handed lyrics and needed to build the music around the lyrics. It was therefore a fun and challenging exercise as it got me outside my usual approach and also got me outside my own shell and mind with more boppy messaging than I’d typically come up with on my own. The lyrics allowed me to let my hair down and produce a fun and upbeat tune.
Terry: As Dave indicated, I wrote the lyrics for “Super Time” some years ago. I presented them to Dave and that kickstarted the “Super Time” production process with Dave producing it with me on background vocals alongside lead vocals from Nikki Simmons and Ryan Whyte Mahoney.
What was the creative and production process like for the Fast Trackers sophomore “Parachute Pants” single?
Dave: The second tune was very similar to the first, with the lyrics provided by Terry and, once again, the overall positive messaging dictating a snappy and danceable tune. The only change was some of the feature talent, with a different vocalist employed on “Parachute Pants”, along with a rap break which helped turn the dial to ‘11’ on an already energetic song.
Terry: I wrote “Parachute Pants” as a sincere homage and cute throwback to the inspired and fantastic days of yesteryear. On the surface, it’s an overt salute to the awesome 80s but it’s way more. Dave brought the “Parachute Pants” theme to life in a fantastic way that subtly channeled an eighties feel but very much polished off with a 2020s sheen. Nashvilled-based singer-songwriter Drew Tyler did a phenomenal job as the lead “Parachute Pants” vocalist. Bahamian rapper Grafezzy adds his feel-good rap to up the ante. Dutch musician Niels van der Steenhoven rocks out on guitars. Spanish electronica artist Deckos joins Dave on keys, rhythm and virtual bass. So it was a great cast of characters!
What do you see as next with Fast Trackers?
Dave: Fast Trackers tends to output a tune once every 18 months or so; given that, listeners should check back with hopes we can create a third tune to match the highly spirited first two tunes!
Terry: The current sound of Fast Trackers is hyperpop - which is an edgy blend of electronica and - as the name suggests - pop music. “Super Time” and “Parachute Pants'' certainly epitomize the notion of hyperpop. I see the future of Fast Trackers continuing down the hyperpop path and potentially venturing into rock territory!
Be sure to download/stream “Parachute Pants” by Fast Trackers on your favorite music retail platform. Learn more about Fast Trackers at x.com/GoFastTrackers.
Valiant Horizon sends special thanks to Mike Chamoy for connecting Dave and Terry together.
