NTFRMHRE (born as Derrick Suragh) is an EDM producer from Philadelphia, PA known for his “electrifying rhythm & hidden talent of Philly” as quoted by well-known and respected rapper Smooth B. Suragh’s love for Trance, Techno, Big House and other electro music styles has caused him to shift from his previous music beat making styles of Hiphop, Reggae and R&B into the EDM genre. NTFRMHRE (as in “Not From Here”) is Suragh’s music alter ego, becoming the “yang” personality of his craft.

NTFRMHERE is currently working on his debut EP which will be released independently in Spring 2017. Once released, his EP will be promoted on all social media outlets and blogs throughout the internet.

While producing is his main focus right now, Derrick is still currently pursuing his love of music in other ways. He’s the director of the percussion program for PAL Philadelphia. He works with the children of Philadelphia to help inspire them and pass along his love for music. He’s also a musician and composer for the NFL Philadelphia Eagles Drumline.

With the release of his debut EP in spring 2017 Derrick is looking forward to touching and inspiring EDM fans across the globe

“Somebody Like You” Feat. Scott Thomas

‘Somebody Like You’ is a track that at first seems to be a summer dance or trance release with a synth heavy backdrop and an upcoming earworm of a melody. However, as the track progresses, the energy of the whole thing is not quite as you might expect. Structurally, the whole thing develops in an unpredictable way, and the sounds and effects and overall mood of the piece are impossibly complex and unusual. It makes for a fairly breath taking few minutes that definitely provokes thought in the mind of the listener.

The song seems to teeter between the hopeful and the melancholy, the light and the dark, making you wonder what the original energy or drive was behind the writing of the piece, and whether the musicality throughout is intentionally complicated and varied so as to reflect the true feelings of the situation. It’s a really interesting recording that for the most part does play the role of a summer anthem to escape to, to drive to, to start the after party with. Only when you really listen do you pick up on these unique intricacies that take it to this other level.

The leading vocal throughout is emotionally powerful but gentle in its performance style, which fits the mood of the piece really well. The voice carries the melody with strength and you find yourself hanging on every word and reflecting on the love within the ideas. The music contrasts a little with what’s expressed in the lyrics, but perhaps it’s a stylistic decision so as to reach a wider audience. An effective choice if so, and it all makes for a genuinely unpredictable and refreshing few minutes of music. The accompanying video is beautifully shot and easy to get lost within.

By Rebecca Cullen

Rebecca is a Musician and writer from Manchester, UK, with an MA in Song Writing.

Exclusive Interview:

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

NTFRMHRE: I’m Not From Here…. but NOW I’m here… bending the different frequencies. The Musical form is like water, when you put it in a cup it becomes the cup (Bruce Lee)  Hahaha! Actually, I’m the First generation American born in Philadelphia to Jamaican parents. Music runs deep in my family..we have many musicians and singers. My grandfather played the guitar and taught my father how to play. But for me, It started in church, watching the pastors son tearing up the drums man. That was truly my highlight of the church service. I use to say to myself, “man I want to drum like him” and would pretend that I was the drummer while my brother, sister and I would re enact Sundays service. My mother told me, she would let me play drums on pots and pans before I could walk. I was in love with any type of drum. Growing up, I received a lot of musical training where I was taught how to read and write music. I was a band geek, but a cool one because I was a drummer. While everyone was rapping at lunch they would call on me to drop a beat on the table. Eventually I participated in a activity called Drum Corp International which allowed me to travel around the country and honestly that kept me off the streets for many summers. I ended up teaching at my old hight school for a few years and took an interest in studio work. In 2002, I met a close friend of mine Troy Davis who runs his own label.There he taught me how to make beats using a digital software, Akai MPC 2000 and over all how to become a music producer. I worked with many artist in the Hip hop, Reggae and R&B genre as a producer but there was little success so I stopped and gave it up.. A Philly DJ Rob Paine and good friend exposed me to House music. He gave me a King Britt CD and that blew my mind!! I mean from different times signatures grooves, chords I mean you name it! The music just felt free, no limitations with infinite forming vibration that just took me off the planet! So that was the start of my love for house music….it all started at a club called “Silk City”. I then started listening to DeadMua5,Diplo, Calvin Harris and of course Daft Punk. Those artist really inspired me and I told myself If I ever come back, that I would focus on me as a producer/artist. I really want to make music that feels good… music that takes you out of this dimension, like when I first listened to that King Britt CD…so here I am.

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

NTFRMHRE: I definitely feel that I’m in NO position to really give any advice. I’m still working on building my brand and fan base!however, I’m extremely humbled to have this opportunity and made it this far. If anything, make sure your business is tight. Don’t hate congratulate and lets support each other. There’s plenty of good music to make…positive vibes, lets Jam.

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

NTFRMHRE: Hahaha all the time!! I hope my students aren’t reading this!! But now a days! Yes Of course! While I’m performing with the Philadelphia Eagles Drumline… I mean it so much fun playing and performing in front of the eagles fans. I feed of the vibe and get so hype so sometimes I mess up! I just act cool and play it off like it was suppose to happen that way!

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

NTFRMHRE: No, No tour yet! hopefully one day soon tho

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?

NTFRMHRE: I love Mac computers, I will always use Apple for my musical creations. For my digital software, Logic 10 with many plugins. Native Instruments is my Fav I use

Serum too…. I recently bought Native Instruments Maschine Studio. Now that my freshman Ep is done, I Can’t wait to play with it!

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

NTFRMHRE: I definitely utilize social media to reach out to my friends and family. Share some music or some video clips with me working in the studio. You know, behind scenes stuff…  But  I have a great a publicist who does a lot of the work.

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?

NTFRMHRE: Dude! DeadMau5 hands down, Prince, Daft Punk, Pharrell, Jay- Z,Kascade, Rihanna and Kanye West! Maybe on a huge space ship in outer space….. could you image the music playing and everyone floating and dancing?

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

NTFRMHRE: Whats Next is my first EP 4th Dimension, theres some tweaks being made and it will release the end of June.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

NTFRMHRE: I don’t know, maybe a little space travel?

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in the next year or so?

NTFRMHRE: In the next year there will definitely be another release, I hope to build relationships in the industry and with my fan base and continue to give you guys great music

Exposed Vocals: Any Shout-outs?

NTFRMHRE: Yes! A huge shout-out to God for blessing me period. Shout-out to my wife and children for their support. The people of India!!! THANK YOU!!!  My God, I’m feeling the love there and Canada, Japan too!!.  My Brother and Sister Kirk, Latanya and Troy for mad support. To all my friends and family for the love and anyone who has bought and is streaming my first single “Somebody Like You” . It is available on all music outlets! Lastly, thanks Exposed Vocals for this interview!