For his debut on the cover of CLASH, the rebellious star from Naples reveals insights about his new mixtape, ‘Rocket’, as well as his relationship with fame and the influence of fatherhood.
Order your copy of CLASH 132 HERE.
—
It’s 9 am in Upstate New York, and Dominic Fike is struggling with his washing machine. “I’m terrible at laundry,” the 29-year-old confesses at the start of our hour-long conversation. At this moment, the multi-talented artist is enjoying an artistic retreat, connecting from a 600-acre farm where he can write in peace. During our discussion, Fike meanders through various thoughts while decompressing after the release of his latest mixtape, ‘Rocket’. “We need to live the album,” he emphasizes, surrounded by familiar cedar wood, towering trees, and a serene lake. “Everything we did back then was to earn the money to do what we’re doing now.”
—
Dominic David Fike has experienced a turbulent decade. Growing up in Naples, a laid-back coastal town in southwestern Florida, the musician, producer, and actor recounts tales of homelessness, fame, rehab facilities, and extensive tours. Throughout his often unstable childhood, playing Guitar Hero provided a gateway to learning the instrument he had long wished for. Like many teenagers, Fike often felt discouraged when trying to learn an instrument. “The guitar just leaned against my wall for maybe two or three years,” he admits candidly. “I didn’t do any music during high school; it became secondary to girls and smoking weed.” Reflecting on the past, he trails off. “Stuff like that.”
Fike returned to music through an ex-girlfriend, releasing his debut EP, ‘Don’t Forget About Me, Demos’, in 2018, during a year-long prison sentence. This platinum-selling collection of upbeat tracks provides a rough take on pop music, having gained popularity on SoundCloud and leading to significant deals with major labels, who sought him out after he violated the terms of his house arrest. “I always struggled to understand what I did well as a musician and why I attracted people,” Fike reveals about his early work. “When I hear the demos, it doesn’t sound like I was considering that. I didn’t care about perception or my place in the music industry. Listening to it, I sense freedom, in a blissfully ignorant way.”
—
Signing his first contract was a significant moment for Fike, involving a reported $4-million deal with Columbia Records that shot him into the glaring spotlight. Simultaneously, he received a call from casting director Jennifer Venditti to audition for a role in the second season of Euphoria, having used a shroom trip to inject humor into his initial audition with creator Sam Levinson. Despite the ups and downs he has faced, Fike presents himself with an honesty and relatability that make his fame seem unique, a quality evident in his coming-of-age tracks.
His indifference towards the glamorous perks of the industry helps keep him grounded. “I still do a lot of the same things I did before,” he states when discussing his busy schedule. “I still eat a lot of the same food, visit my mom, and we talk about the same subjects. My brother and I laugh about the same stuff. I still enjoy biscuits and gravy.” He pauses… “I find that if you maintain a level of consistency in your regular habits, you don’t feel like a completely different person.”
—
On set for the CLASH cover shoot, Dominic Fike harmonizes with the autumn landscape surrounding him. Without hesitation, he dives into the nearby water, reflecting his one request for the shoot. “My favorite feeling is jumping from something high into a body of water and not knowing if I’ll hurt myself. I love that,” he exclaims with enthusiasm. For much of his life, Fike has regarded the coast as a place of comfort, which is central to his breezy 2023 sophomore album, ‘Sunburn’. In this tribute to Florida, the tracklist embraces bright melodies and dreamy hooks, hiding Fike’s chaotic lifestyle behind upbeat anthems.
“Music is a cool job, but you spend a lot of time in a room,” he shares when discussing his fondness for coastal settings. “Growing up, I watched 2000s music videos, and they were always at the beach or on a boat. That’s what fame looked like. You get into music and relocate to California, only to find no one goes to the beach here. Then you wonder, why did I go through all that to reach a place where no one even enjoys that?” Rallying his peers, Fike focuses attention on life's simple pleasures. “Let’s get into the water,” he suggests.
—
Throughout our conversation, Fike appears slightly restless. He moves between rooms, props his camera up against a wall, and
In his debut cover feature for CLASH, the notorious figure from Naples discusses his new mixtape, ‘Rocket’, his relationship with fame, and the influence of fatherhood. Get your copy now.
