Indie Music Artist Spotlight - P Doc

I’m P Doc, a self taught recording artist and producer from a small town named Pefferlaw, an hour north of Toronto. I started playing guitar and singing at 6 and making beats and rapping at age 14. Lately I’ve been doin shows and recording new projects.

My biggest influence is Curren$y. I like his style and his raps, his bars are always real. Another huge influence is Nas. I think every rapper looks up to Nas.

My father passed away from an accident when I was young and my mom was never around so I was always by myself or with friends at my mom’s during high school and that’s where I fell in love with writing music. I felt total freedom waking up and writing songs and honing my work til it was perfect. Hanging out, doing what I love. I love this more than anything and I’m determined to make something out of myself and my company.

This year we’re gearing up to make lots of music, I already have 3 projects on the go. This year we want to promote our music label and brand to Toronto and abroad.

1.) What made you want to get into the music business in the first place? Did anyone influence you to do music? If so, who? Influences? Role Models?

My father was my biggest inspiration for getting into music. Music brought us so close. He taught me guitar when I was 6 years old and I practiced everyday. He passed away when I turned 14, and a year later is when I started writing my own music. At first it was for fun, but over the years and through high school my passion grew into what it is today.

2.) 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?

Grind. I work so damn hard, every single day. Me and my best friend started Hooligang Company, a company to distribute our merch and our music. There is so much to learn if you want to establish your brand and be different from the rest. Our first company launch fell flat on it’s face but it was a huge learning experience. I won’t ever give up perfecting my craft and my brand.

3.) Would you rather be on a major label or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not?

My dream would be to stay independent and have my brand and name blow up to something big, but I’m just trying to do this for a living. If that means signing to a bigger label, I probably wouldn’t hesitate.

4.) Do you think that the traditional music industry model as we know it is dead? Why or why not?

It isn’t “dead”, but it has changed. The introduction of streaming and “.com’s” make it easier to publish your merchandise and music for distribution. Also the market is saturated with music. It is necessary to stand out now, you have to be different to survive and make a name.

5.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the music industry and how musicians are able to market themselves?

Social Media for artists now is huge. It’s a free platform to use how you want to use it. Driving sales, promotion, and in rare cases new fans find you through social media. The problem with that though, is it’s a lot harder to stand out. It’s been a game changer no doubt.

6.) What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in life and has that had any effect on your path to becoming a musician?

Funding my addiction and running out of time. I’m addicted to making music, I write, record and film almost everyday. Juggling a full time career, relationships, hobbies and this music is tough. I’ve had to sacrifice so much to do what I love, but that’s why I do it. I do this all on my own, the filming, the recording, the mastering, the designs, everything. I also never have enough time! I wouldn’t change it for the world, but that’s the biggest struggle.

7.) 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 you make music that is true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?

Everybody’s got to get paid. I don’t see commercial success as selling out. I consider an artist a “sellout” when they change their whole sound and brand to stay afloat. Even then though, I understand the significant payday. Tough to say, but I know I’ll always love the music I make whether it sells or not. Staying true to who I am as a person should help deflect the whole “sellout” mentality.

8.) When you do music, what would you like your listeners to get out of your music?

I hope my fans listen to my music and can relate to the stories I tell and the way that I present myself. Driving, smoking, working or partying, I hope they can feel like I’d be right there with them bumping it.