I am a singer, I’ve been singing since I was 6 or 7 years old. Something I’ve been into since I was into since I was about 13 though is my own production. I have a self-setup with a microphone, phantom power amp, and a MacBook that runs Logic Pro and GarageBand. I make my own instrumentals using various software (mostly Logic, GarageBand, and FruityLoops Studio). What I love the most about my work though is that everything is done by me. The sound, The production, and the lyrics are done by me. I’ve been doing this since I was 13, but at 15 years old I posted my first singles “Missing Piece” and “Yours Truly” on streaming services. My latest single, which hit quite a lot of streams, which I’m very proud of, is called Miami. I plan this week on releasing a new single called “I Won’t Run”.
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?
My dad got me into recording when I was about 6 or 7 years old. I loved singing and fantasized about being a singer ever since that age. Growing up, I slowly taught myself music production. After years and years of recording, I got a professional microphone and setup that grows and grows. Singing for so long kinda made me tell myself “Hey, this is something I wanna be serious about.” So I started taking it more and more seriously. I grew up liking Miley Cyrus since I was a young child. Her freedom and the fact that there’s nothing stopping her from being herself fascinated me, I think it’s very empowering.
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?
Pharell and Will-I-am are both more than just performers. They know what goes on behind the scenes, and I relate to that. Something that other artists, especially big artists, don’t do is write or produce for themselves. Which is cool, but a lot of artists wouldn’t recognize anything they’re looking at if you showed them the automation behind their hit songs. I wouldn’t limit myself to not working with other producers, I just think doing your own writing and production adds a special touch to it.
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?
My style and aesthetic changes so much. It becomes a challenge because the style of music I make can switch up in days or months. I try to stay consistent but I don’t like forcing myself. If I force myself to stick to a style that doesn’t fit me anymore, I lose comfort and pride in my work.
4.) How do you prepare yourself to write certain songs? What is your song-writing and recording process?
Most things just come to me. I make instrumentals in my pastime, so I can look through some of the stuff I made and put a feel to it. Alternatively, I can sit and get bored and write down stuff… just kinda let my right brain flow.
5.) Unfortunately the music industry is full of talented individuals who just don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed?
I will promote my work and music and work hard to do so. A lot of artists, even ones I know, work so hard on their work, which they usually make so beautifully and perfectly, but then they post their music online and sit there and just expect the views to come to them. That’s not how the industry works, at least not in my opinion. I feel like you have to make a name for yourself… and that takes work. But, yeah, you have to put it out there and promote it.
6.) 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?
This has always been a hard question for me. I really want to stay independent. But you can only go so far being independent and record labels take you off your feet. However, record labels are known to be “Do this, Do that, Sing this” they wanna make you into an industry puppet, and you can give me all the money in the world but I can’t be truly content unless I’m doing what makes me happy.
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?
I think social media has a huge influence on the music industry. It’s almost completely taken over the way people promote their music. If an artist wasn’t ‘social media savvy’ it would be a HUGE setback.
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”?
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with artists who use the money they have to make it to the top. However, it would be hard for me to make music that doesn’t satisfy me. I’m not mad at artists who do this, sometimes you just have to pay the bills. For me, It would be hard to sing or hear something that isn’t me. It would be, like, uncomfortable.
9.) Professionally, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
I wanna be not only a singer but also a producer and writer, those are things I’m skilled at. I feel like if I have a gift, I should share it with others rather then just myself. Producing for others is a great feeling, sometimes it’s better than doing it for yourself. I also live by the quote “If you work doing something you love, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.”
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