Dow down 500 pts. S&p down 600 pts. korprit labs up 1000 pts.
2/16/26
A "De-Lux" Interview with Citizen Sato
(As Artists, Readers, Musicians, We must Support Each Other.)
NOTE TO READER: I Highly recommend you watch VESPA here before indulging
in this article, for context's sake. View the 11 Minute Film HERE.
Introduction:
Tell us a little about yourself, your work, and how You're doing.
Alright, I'm Joe Sato Murphy, taken on the name of Citizen Sato. From Portland Maine, and grew up in Japan as well, and haha, took on lots of trauma from public school there. My Main trades are Film and Photography. Filmmaking has been a kind of way to express myself, and to help me get over some of my past issues with school. All or nothing, this is going to be THE career path of mine.
I hate the term of lifelong learner, but I think why not keep on learning new things?
And Your Favorite (Skill)?
Cooking is definitely my number one. Nothing can beat that.
It fuels all the other work, get it?
Why did you choose film and photography as your primary medium? Would you say it's easier to convey a feeling or environment that way?
I think a lot of what moves that is the way I visualize art and everything around me.
When you read books on a page it's never going to be imagined the same way by the reader, and that has its magic, but when it comes to my stuff, I need people seeing the work the same way I do.
When I first brought up the idea of the film VESPA, people kept bringing up the hunger games, blade runner, and 28 days later. I wanted it to stand alone, with no comparisons. In this medium I'm able to control peoples perception of my art. I've seen a lot of people just make movies to make them, try and tell a kind of quote on quote "deep story". You (Aspiring creators) don't have to take things so seriously. It might help break the ice and art block by just messing around.
Is there anything specific that you find to be challenging relating to your work?
Two different ways to answer that question.
The biggest struggle is having the films being fully understood, not the emo kind of way, haha, but
It's hard to get the the true message across, and with VESPA I tried to make sure to have all of these details accounted for. Let a final product really resonate with people in it's rawest and truest form.
I don't want to give my stories "artificial depth", but rather let them speak for themselves. It's hard to explain.
I think for the commercial aspect is to make sure to maintain your values, always so many ways to take your career, its really easy to let the art and creative side fade out when you're trying to make a living off it. (I can relate so deeply. -korpy)
Who inspires you as a filmmaker? Weather it be fellow directors, actors, friends or family?
Sigh, Can I throw a few out there?
For one, Kevin Abstract (especially the "Blush" project). Really a fan of how he brings everyone around his personal life into his work, friends, family, strangers. I think when people have an opportunity to come in, if they're a good addition then everyone should be a part of this project. You don't need to have a pre-existing claim to fame, or some monetary donation, just be yourself and if you fit, you're in. For example, my girlfriend helped scout out the locations throughout the process, and also working with Nate and Alba, (Some of my closest friends) as core collaborators. People say don't mix friends with work, but really if you treat them well and respect their time it can be some of the best experiences ever. Without having that external influence or direction I wouldn't of been able to truly acheive my vision.
Of course, a quick Joji shoutout, so cool that he's broken free of his record deal, makes me think: "Damn, he really made it"
Finally, Peggy(jpegmafia). The way he's willing to express himself, so in the spirit of the moment putting out music whenever he feels like it, and I can tell he really does it for himself.
I feel like a lot of choices by artists have been all about meeting a quota, or pushing out to please the fans, not that it's inauthentic, I just think that you should put music out when you feel like it. I think it's so easy when you're famous to get disconnected from your ideas and visions in that way.
Regarding your recent breakout film, VESPA, what was one of your
favorite experiences when the film was in development?
I think just seeing it grow, for sure. Throughout the process one at a time elements, seeing the evolution of art is such an important process for me. In the past I was really into unreleased music, adding a verse, changing production, seeing how a song can change so heavily and all that. Night and day really. If you saw the first versions of VESPA you'd be like, what were you even thinking? Being able to evolve through those growing pains made it for me. Most importantly is to not quit on bigger projects like these. No shame in taking a break once in a while. and Zooming out to see the bigger picture, which is where external perspectives come in handy.
How does it feel to finish such a big project like VESPA? Is it onto the next
project or do you feel a sort of Post-Production lull?
Alright. this is going to be a long one.
After a big project like that, I feel like I cant even catch a break. Whenever I think I catch a lull it's already onto the next wave, and I swear, the next chance I get a break it'll be a long nights sleep.
Last Summer I worked on a huge project and it just kind of took the wind out of me. One of albums is SlezzCity. I produced all the songs on that album, and I look back on those times very fondly. Right there and then I made the song Summer in P Town. It was like 96 degrees, hottest Maine has been in a while, lol. Shoutout to the homies who were in on it.
(Corp.mp3, Aloosky, Stump, Rizzu, Jaci, SpeedLimit). My brain really cant stop moving .
I think this really propels my creative process, I think deep down it keeps me motivated.
Food really is my number one though, as long as I eat a good meal at the end of the day I'm set.
Let's just say: Shoutout Afghan Kebab House. Homemade naan, beef and curry, Damn.
I think having that separated joy from filmmaking and food really
helps me stay moving and motivated.
What's your message to filmmakers, artists, or musicians who might be inspired by your work?
I think its really important to not forget to reach out, and reach in. Sounds faux deep but I think it's really true, there's no reason to create distance that you end up getting confused by, people you've never met might be an opportunity to make your best work yet. The world isn't a place to extract from, but a place to give back to.
Click here to view Citizen Sato's Online Portfolio
2/9/26
A Laidback Interview with "Lil Yames" of SYZYGY
(As Artists, Readers, Musicians, We must Support Each Other.)
Introduction:
Tell us a little about yourself, your work, and how You're doing.
I'm a part of the rap collective SYZYGY (lil Yames, Yvng Bando, Je3zy Busta)
Sophmore year, we all became friends, we wanted to make a rap album.
heh, idk, But my first "flex Friday(independent project Class)" project wasn't about rap at all. It was a powered skateboard. Would have been dope, but I had to scrap the project.
SpookyGoose and BustaHollowPoppla had been working on music at the same time and I was talking with a friend about how to use Soundcloud, and soon I got my hands on an Fl studio 12 Crack.
the SYZYGY name was Brendan's idea, It means when 3 or more celestial bodies align at once.
And as of now, I've never been better, Like, blessed up honestly. Not to be preachy about the personal, but I've been going to church every Sunday, got a roof over my head, and a loving girlfriend who sticks by my side, What else can you ask for?
What was a defining moment where you thought Music was "IT" for You?
When we were in the Baxter booth, doing the Sadboys for life... no feeling like it, you just get in this headspace, nothing is serious, it's just like a painting, when you finally get to the end you really get to stand back and just admire it. On repeat.
Is there a Musician or artist that's inspiring your current projects and work?
Hell yeah. Let me get into it . Number one answer is Suicide Boys. Most recent album - That Memphis flare, flow and cadence, artwork is always top notch, and it's all their own record label. Screw a record deal or big label, do it yourself, the music is bigger than us.
ComeHelpGlo is an up and coming artist, just blew up, all self produced, reminds me of the simpler days when music wasn't so serious. Lots of good ambient stuff. Not trying to fit in or sellout, just doing it for himself, 100%.
If you had unlimited resources to work on whatever you wanted, what might that look like?
We had just been talking about this (In the Group). Man, I'd probably stick to rap and music.
There was an album called smiling with no teeth(Genesis Owusu), and he did a lot of things with raw instruments. Perfect mix of experimental and analog sounds. If i had the resources I'd probably sit around with a ton of talented artists, build off each other and experiment, no time constraints, all in It's own time. I'd genuinely go insane, sleep and live in the same studio and only work.
Lol. Sounds like my Dream.
Do you listen to your own music often?
Sure, I like to listen to my own music, It's geared for what I like, and when it's in production, I'll have a ton of listens especially for mix/mastering. After it's fully released, I'm not a huge listener. It's more of like, onto the next project already(Excited). Can't stand still for too long.
How does it feel working with a team?
It's so nice to be able to kind of rely on someone to bail you out metaphorically, always pushing me to get out of my comfort box, different sounds, cadences, flows. We can all build off each other constantly. But When none of us have ideas, we'll all kind of be burnt out together until something sparks from an outside source.
How do you balance your Personal Life with Music? Is it something you struggle with?
I've been battling this for almost a month now. The Words that I say in my music, we talk about artists doing what they want, I think what my brain wants isn't always what comes off in my music. The way my personal life is now, I want to gear things more positively. I'm just not doing the things i used to do in high school and I don't want to ruin someone's perception of something just because I've said it in a song. I want someone to hear my music and feel uplifted, and motivated. Some of the words you say and how you feel might not fit on the notepad, so it's easy to fall back on societally negatively perceived things, (i.e. Drugs, Bitches, Guns). When writing music, it's easy to overanalyze, but what comes from the extra time and effort is usually a higher quality product.
Go-To Shower Song?
Umbrella by Rihanna.
Last but not least, Do you have any advice for Someone getting into something like this?
Surround yourself with people who have greater ambitions than you, they'll keep pushing you into becoming a better and more fulfilled person. It's so easy to be a hater in todays climate. If you come from a place of honesty and creativity I don't think you should be afraid of how people view your work.
Such a Lovely Interview, Don't you think? I sure had fun with it. Below are some Links to check out Lil Yames and the rest of his crew, I highly recommend you drop a listen and a follow. They just released a music video too, B.t.w.
Click Here to view Lil Yames' page
Click Here to view YvngBandos' page
Click Here to view Je3zys' page
Click Here to view SYZYGY's Music, and/or social page
2/7/26
Smoking on that Top 3! Maine Influencer Pack, Ie. You should be following
(Because Portland Press Herald fucked it up)
February 4. 2026
DESKTOP ONLY ARTICLE I CAN'T COMPROMISE THE EXPERIENCE
BY PORTING IT TO A PHONE SCREEN. TRUST ME IT'S WORTH IT! (pc. mac.)
and if You're not on this list today you will be soon I see You.
Top 5 Maine musicians you should be following and Top 5 Maine Artists coming next.
