This project is D. Grei. D. Grei is the numeric style name from the character of the famous Oscar Wild’s book, the Portrait of Dorian Gray. He is a dark guy. As this project. Homemade project with just a old laptop.
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/dgreimusic/
Twitter : https://twitter.com/d_grei
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-L_i43jChQlh0ZMAfY8R3g
SoundCloud : https://soundcloud.com/d-grei
Website : http://d-grei.com
Instagram : @d.grei
1.) What elements and/or characteristics made you say to yourself that you wanted to do music for a living? Who are your influences/heroes/role models?
Music is a part of my life since I was a child. It’s a big cliché, but still. No one in my family is close to being a musician, or in the music industry/business. But, I’m always listening to a lot, a loooot of music. Classical at my youngest age, then around 11/12 started listening to french hip hop. After that, I discovered computer life, and online unlimited and download life. Emule forever in our hearth. I’ve been into electronic music of every kind, but more dark and hungry things like Prodigy, Justice, and the old Daft Punk. At 13, I became Dj until 19. This year I started to work on the lighting for music shows. I did that for 11 years now. I did touring, festivals, clubs, zenith… I’ve seen so many dope live music gigs (and the rock is the best thing ever in a 500 people music club). So yeah… music is my life, literally.
2.) If you could compare yourself to an already established artist, who would that be and why? If you don’t like to compare yourself, then music-wise, what separates you from other musicians?
Everyone one is unique, but I wish one day I’ll have the same artistic life of 3D (Robert Del Naja). This guy does the best live music shows I’ve ever seen. The music is perfect, he works with so many talented known unknown artists/musicians. He can mix every single kind of music and be dope. He does amazing artwork/paint/picture. He fought for foodcare. He fought against war. I mean, this guy’s famous life is to try to change the world. There are guys who are just saying that once a year, and just doing one concert for one charity because it’s something good for their career.
3.) Everyone in life goes through adversity of some sort. Is there anything in your life that has any influence on the kind of songs you write? What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure on your path to becoming a musician?
I think I’m still in the difficult part of being/becoming a musician. Because I’m not really a musician. I don’t know how to read music sheets. I don’t know how to play in a proper way with any instrument. I do a bit of drum and piano and that’s it.
I started 6 years ago. I don’t have a lot a fans. I pay to make music literally. I think my tracks need to sound like perfectly edited and produced songs. The sound is professional in some.
So yes, I’m alone in front of my computer. Working hard. But I believe. We never know. Everything can change in 1 sec, and it’s only going to be something more positive for my musician status because I’m actually at level 0.
4.) How do you prepare yourself to write certain songs? What is your song-writing and recording process?
Easy : Open Ableton. Play some chord or note and use a chord plugin. Search a melody. Then arrange everything after I find sounds. Produce. More production. Mix. Master. Cover. Upload 🙂
5.) Unfortunately the music industry is full of talented individuals who just don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or hard work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed? Would you rather be on a major label or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not? In regards to the music industry itself, do you think that the traditional music industry model as we know it is dead?
The music industry is fucked up. But that’s like everything in this industrialized international world, right? I mean, for me at least. Money fucks everything. People want to make money with their music. A lot. And they do! They did and they will. A lot of money can be made. I can tell you, I’ve done so much live music! To be a part of the big cake means I have to adapt my music to the audience. I have to make it easy listening. I know how it works. But not for me, I think we live in a century where you can try, at least, to be a part of the littlest cake, the indie music part.
I think at this point, it’s a question of chance. Every famous band talks about that. This day who knows if everything will change. I just try my best to make my music and get it listened to by as much people as possible, and maybe find one person that can change my life. Make me a real musician and I’ll have a professional life with my music.
6.) Are you able to make a living with your music? If so, how were you able to attain a career doing what you love? If not, what do you do in order to fund your music career? What advice would give to someone who’s interested in pursuing a career in music?
No, like I said before. My dream is to live from my music. Actually I paid to make music (Soundcloud, hosting website, distribution, Fiverr, marketing, some covers…. it’s expensive to be independent).
My advice for people who wants to make music : make music.
For the people like me, who started making music years ago my advice is : be strong, continue as much as you can to be happy to do music, and everything else around your music project. And you never know, maybe today is your last day alone at working on this project.
7.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the music industry and how musicians are able to market themselves? Social media is obviously an extremely important element in today’s world, especially when it comes to business, branding, marketing, etc. With that being said, do you think an artist will be able to survive in today’s music industry if they’re not social media savvy?
Social media is an essential part of the music business now. Major label bands and artists do that really good. And the best part for me is this, is some independent artists found a way to become famous by being creative in whatever way or whatever social media allows them to do. Old or new. Artists adapt and understand so fast and use it for themselves. And from my point of view, it’s a kind of gift! I mean, I have to do it myself for all of my social media, and one, I wasn’t really good. And two, I’m still not really good haha
But yeah it definitely changed the music world and provided new opportunities. I think new opportunities of this kind happen often. You just have to find the rhythm and the way of the web’s mode, and go with the flow.
8.) Artists who try to make music for the general public and make more money are usually seen as “sell-outs.” Do you see it that way and if so, what do you plan to do to make sure your music stays true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?
It’s the most difficult part of music industry. Making the music you love, and earning the money you need. Most of people are making 100 thousand or millions listening and often using the same music recipes. Sometimes new artists come and break the game in a new way. Often they are discovered on the web. But a lot of people want it. There are just some who do it and just a few who do it enough to live off of their music.
9.) What are the positives and negatives of the music industry? What is it about the music industry that makes some artists push forward? What do you think makes some artists quit?
I worked in show business for more than 10 years. So my point of view is not really objective, I’m from inside. But, for me the negative is the business, some people just want to make money and don’t care about the audience or the music or the artist. So, it gives us no deep and interesting music and/or great live music shows. It is just a minority of people who get the key to the majors. Only a few doors are available and you need to have a key to open them. As we all know it’s not easy.
But with the internet, the revolution can happen. Now, every one can produce, market, edit, and upload music to millions of people. You became a water drop in the ocean.
So to be pushed forward, you need to be lucky. That’s the only way. So of course, after 10 years of making music, doing little gigs in the pubs or bars, you earn almost zero. You have to pay for the production and mixing and mastering of your songs. You have to pay for your marketing also. Not everyone can offer this life forever, and still have hope.
10.) What trends do you see staying or going?
I’m not really a trend person.
11.) With so many people online who are expressing their opinions on any and everything under the sun, how do you know when to take something as constructive criticism or when to see it as trolling?
I don’t have a lot of returns about my music. It’s really a little project and I suck at marketing. I guess.
But yes of course, the first feedback are from trolls. It’s not easy and of course, it’s not fun. Just don’t take it personally. Make music for you. I know my music is far from perfect, but I want to progress. I do wish to find some support.
12.) If you were to advise an up and coming musician on how to get more fans, what advice would you give them?
To get more fans. Don’t buy listeners first. Try to give as much as you can in every article. Find the best way to have natural SEO for your tracks. Send your music to all of your friends and ask for support. Don’t be sad if certain tracks have not worked as you expected. Just keep going. Tomorrow can be your last day alone in this fascinating music ocean.
13.) There are multiple ways of attaining fans and building up your fan base, so what are some ways you acquire fans?
Most of my fans are friends. The other fans came from different marketing campaigns from my previous release.
14.) Professionally, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
Touring, working with a lot of passionate people. Discovering new talent and helping them.
Work with one of my master…
I can go to my dream life in 5 years. Finger cross 🙂