Angry Shit Only: Emorfik's Raw Journey from Chaos to Connection

November 9-10, 2024 | Tucson, AZ

Written and Photographed by Alex Dehlavi @red_bot_

From the moment a 14-year-old Emorfik—born Damiano Cortini—began experimenting with sound, it was clear he was destined to carve his own path in electronic music. Fueled by his unapologetic mantra, “Angry Shit Only,” the Syracuse native channels unfiltered emotion into thunderous basslines, forging an undeniable bond with fans who find solace and strength in his raw intensity. With a family legacy rooted in music and a passion for turning life’s chaos into art, Emorfik transcends the role of a producer to become a storyteller of rage, resilience, and redemption. In this exclusive conversation, we dive into the moments that shaped his journey, from overcoming self-doubt to finding inspiration in the unlikeliest of places—including the percussive potential of a table.

Coming from a musically inclined family, have you ever thought about collaborating with family members in your work, or even just for a fun unique track?

Emorfik: Absolutely, my dad was actually part of a pretty established band in the local scene, and I was actually very interested in working with the whole band, like the drummer, piano, bass, guitar, everyone. So, yeah, it’s definitely been something in the back of my mind - because, I feel like, with EDM it’s more simplified, if that makes sense. Having their different genres with my genre, I feel like they would blend so well, especially because they do like classic rock, so it would be so perfect.

Starting out so young in the music scene comes with its own set of challenges, was there ever a moment where you questioned your path? What convinced you to keep pushing forward despite that?

Emorfik: Honestly, I think that, through all stages of life or all stages of this career, there have been moments of question, imposter syndrome, a negative energy build up, and this has always happened throughout all points of my career. But at the end of the day I just remember that I started this to make others happy through this type of music. Because you have an artist like ‘Illenium’ that touches people’s hearts in his way, in that way, you know, a beautiful way. But sometimes people feel a different type of feeling, and that is where I have always wanted to step in and I want to create this music and keep going to help these people get past their shit.

I think that is when I always realize, like when I am feeling like ‘this is not for me anymore’, I always remember why I started in the first place. Which is to help people through angry music.

Your fans are known for their intense loyalty and engagement, what is a standout story or gesture from one of your fans that deeply motivated you or moved you?

Emorfik: I think, I realized when I hear people scream “Angry shit only” at the end of every show, it’s just a reminder of my journey. Or when people DM me “Angry shit” or people DM me like “your shit helps me get through my day.” It’s just the small things like that or really just like them screaming “Angry shit only”.

I thought of that when I was fourteen years old and to be able to have people scream that back to me is such a powerful moment that stands out so much to me. I honestly think that - that’s one of the top ones, that is super impactful; or even people literally just like dressing up as me. But, like I said, that “Angry shit only” thing is the top bar.

As your sound has matured and evolved, do you ever revisit old projects or concepts and think about how you could go and approach them now with your current skills and mindset?

Emorfik: Honestly, something that I always take in the back of my head is that I look at a lot of older projects and I realize that I wasn’t trying as hard as I do now, and it sometimes gives a more authentic result, because now, with the bigger you get, sometimes unfortunately, the more stress there can be to feel like you have to make perfect tracks.

Like, you’ve got to always have fun, but then I also listen to some tracks and think, “I could have done a lot better than that.” But there are so many cool things about revisiting old tracks that I like to do. When it comes to the main shit, I always just listen to how I could’ve made it sound better, because that obviously comes with improvement over time.

You’ve mentioned experimenting a lot with learning production, is there a particular production technique or sound design element that you’re currently obsessed with or that you’re trying to master?

Emorfik: I think that with music, just really going in and manipulating audio. Because obviously you can work with serum patches, you can sound design. What I like to do is to sound design in sub-serum, and then I like to convert to audio and just manipulate the audio and get sounds that you genuinely really couldn’t get, like you ‘could’ get it in Midi, but it wouldn’t sound as unique.

Like ‘unique’ is the only way I can describe what working in audio can give you. You can get the most insane results just by simple pitch shifting or just manipulating the sound in any cool way. That is what I always go to, to create a sound, so, that is like my current obsession.

That’s so cool, I love hearing every producer's own tips and tricks that they go back to.

Emorfik: A hundred percent, another way that I like to go about my music is like the emotion that it is going to give people. Like when I feel like I want to make something that will make people go f***ing nuts, I’m going to make sure it feels that way, sad or happy, whatever feeling that is important to me.

Because I feel like if you go into the music without feeling it, that’s not going to give the same message as if you genuinely feel it.

I recommend that to all producers, if you’re feeling sad; open up your laptop, if you’re feeling angry; open up your laptop, because that is when you can write the most genuine heartfelt type of music that will speak miles, it will speak so much larger than just going into it without feeling anything.

What is the most random or unusual source of inspiration that has sparked the creation of a track, whether it was a conversation, a place, or a moment you witnessed?

Emorfik: Wow, there has been so many weird things. I was working on this hard techno song and I was just sitting at this table that had a very interesting material, and I hit it really hard and I just thought, “I could make a hard techno song out of that sound.” Just stuff like that, there are so many different ideas that I have. Like sometimes I am in a plane, and I hear a sound or just something that sparks my head, or just some type of random rhythm that is just floating in the atmosphere.

There are so many different stories that I honestly can’t even pinpoint a good one. But there are just so many instances of random events of some type of rhythm that can just pass through my head and I’m like “Yo, that’s a f***in banger right there.”

When I see people who I genuinely love to watch, I just watch what that music can do to people and make them act like they are just on top of the world, and it’s like, I want that.

You’ve faced different types of performances from high school parties to major festivals, what has been the biggest shift in how you prepare mentally and creatively for each type of crowd?

Emorfik: I used to demonize my anxiety a lot, I used to hate anxiety, I used to think of it as this terrible thing that wants to drag me away from success. But I’ve realized that anxiety and bad thoughts, it’s not you, it is just your body telling you, to prepare you for what's to come. Once I stopped demonizing anxiety and started thinking of it as me reminding myself that I am alive right now and I am feeling these feelings. I am so blessed to be able to feel anxiety, as weird as that can seem. I’ve never had a moment where I felt like I couldn’t perform since I realized that anxiety is my friend, if that makes sense.

Ever since I started doing cold plunges, like things to evoke anxiety, and evoke being uncomfortable, it helped me find that peace within that chaos. Sometimes making yourself do something that makes you uncomfortable or something that sucks will in turn make you a stronger, better person mentally. So, that’s my advice for that.

What has been your favorite track of 2024, whether it’s yours or someone else’s, something that you just like listening to, kind of an earworm?

Emorfik: There are so many. Recently I have been kind of obsessed with this MARAUDA & SVDDEN DEATH ID. There are so many different IDs out there that are on my list right now.

One that I really liked recently was “Together as One” with Excision. That one was so awesome to see him go back to his older style, it was just a huge full circle moment for me as a fan of his when I was very young.

Is there anything that you want to say to your fans, or if there is anything coming up that you’d like to promote, or just maybe a lasting word?

Emorfik: Yeah, I’ve got a lot of stuff coming out, I’m working on a lot of music for you guys. I’m doing everything in my power to just continuously do my thing for you guys. If there is anyone out there who is currently struggling right now, I’m here for you, I am praying for you, and you got this. All love, just keep it going. Angry shit only. Thank you so much.

Emorfik’s journey is a true testament to the transformative power of channeling raw emotion into art. His ability to turn anxiety, frustration, and everyday experiences into electrifying anthems not only challenges the conventions of “angry music” but also redefines its purpose as a tool for connection and catharsis. With a relentless drive to stay authentic, he reminds us that embracing vulnerability can ignite the kind of passion that resonates far beyond the stage. As Emorfik prepares to release a wave of fresh tracks and electrify new audiences, he leaves us with an enduring message: even in life’s angriest moments, there’s beauty to be found in the chaos—and power in how we channel it.

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