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L.A. artist Channel Tres shares his music-making mantra

A GIF picturing music-maker Channel Tres.
Channel Tres just wants to dance at home in his poncho.
(Micah Fluellen / Los Angeles Times)
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Real ones know: Channel Tres has been the soundtrack to summer in L.A. since his smooth baritone boomed across the city in 2018 with his breakout single “Controller.”

Compton-born and Lynwood-raised, the artist delivers G-funk-inflected house with an unmistakably West Coast groove. With “i can’t go outside,” an album he released in 2020 inspired by his time in quarantine, Tres paid vibe-y homage to pre-COVID L.A. He sings about roller skating to Frankie Beverly on the hit “skate depot” while paying tribute to the now-closed Cerritos institution of the same name (and one of his first jobs).

The producer-singer has just released his latest crop of new music, collaborating with electronic duos Polo & Pan and Flight Facilities, and has announced a North American tour this fall with Grammy-winning artist and fellow L.A. native Thundercat.

In other words: Do not sleep on Channel Tres. In his Vibe Guide this week, he shares his mantra while making music, as well as where you can find him dancing this summer.

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The mantra keeping me sane:

The words "just breathe," accompanied by an emoji.

What’s giving me life:

The words "making music," accompanied by music notes.

What’s blowing my mind:

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The words "good weed. also music theory" with drawings of a joint and a keyboard.

Where I’m dancing in L.A. this summer:

The words "Still at home I think."

My lucky piece of clothing:

The words "my poncho," accompanied by an illustration of one.

🔥~🌟 ~ 🌟 ~🔥~🌟~🔥

My playlist right now

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🔥~🌟 ~ 🌟 ~🔥~🌟~🔥

Screenshot my mood

A selfie that captures my mood this month:

Selfie with pursed, somewhat quizzical lips,

“I’ve been having a blast making new music and working on new projects. Things are feeling good, and I’m still having fun doing it!”

The last thing I wrote in my Notes app:

The words "everybody is asleep. i have issues. nobody is here."

“I was feeling down last night, so I started writing lyrics about it.”

The meme I can’t get out of my head:

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A picture of a middle-aged guy in a drab collared shirt and blue jeans but with flashy basketball high tops.

“I love memes, and this just makes me laugh no matter how many times I see it.”

🔥~🌟 ~ 🌟 ~🔥~🌟~🔥

Know someone in L.A. who should vibe with us? Email julissa.james@latimes.com.

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