Professionally? About three years. As a hobby? Since 2007.
I have been making music in some form since around '97, '98. I started rapping around then. I have always lived and breathed hip-hop. I was one of the first few generations to really be raised by it and although it started as a fad, it’s the biggest thing in the world now. After a few years of just basically writing in notebooks and kicking freestyles for friends, I moved onto the guitar.
An ex-girlfriend handed it to me one day and said that she thought I had something to say beyond my raps. After about five minutes, I wrote my first riff and was hooked.
Now writing more on the fretboard than the notepad, I wanted to create more but had no real outlets other than my Stratocaster. Knowing I could go to school afterward, I decided to join the military with the intent of serving four years and then becoming an audio engineer. Well, 13 years later, I separated from the United States Air Force and moved to the Bay Area in California. It was during those years in the service that I actually discovered and learned about production on a computer.
During my first deployment, I wasn’t able to bring my guitar. Feeling antsy, a co-worker and I went to the local mart that sold pirated software (I know, I know) and bought a copy of Fruity Loops for ten dollars.
I came back to my PC and loaded it up. About an hour later (I’ve always understood computer software quickly) I made my first beat. Instantly hooked.
For production, I primarily use Reason 11. While I have used Fruity Loops and am familiar with Ableton, I have always enjoyed Reason and just find it easier and easier to use with each iteration. The sound quality out the gate is unmatched in my eyes and I have yet to find a reason (wordplay, still got it) to switch. I also use MPC Essentials to chop up samples and just make that boom bap sound and work out beat performances.
For mixing and mastering, it’s Pro Tools. It’s an industry standard and to be honest, since becoming an engineer, my production has taken huge strides. I have attempted to work with it as DAW and that was a bit too tedious for my taste. But for finishing up your tracks and recording/mixing vocals, there isn’t anything else I’d ever use.
You’d think I’d list some monitors, midi controllers, or headphones on here due to the fact I make hip hop, EDM, etc. But nope, it’s my Gretsch G2420T Hollow Body Electric Guitar.
One, my favorite band is Queens of the Stone Age and Josh Homme has a Gretsch. Two, it was my gift to myself when I separated from the military and was part of the journey that led me to where I am today. I always thought hollow-body guitars were beautiful and to get one in gold?! I cherish that thing. Add to that it has a twang no other guitar I own has. It’s perfect.
One of my most used plugins is Radical Piano. I like for my sound design to have certain emotions and this plugin is just able to find the right sound every time. I honestly feel bad by how few tweaks I have to make but it always adds depth to my tracks.
Serum is one that I didn’t start using until about a year ago. I heard of it but just never gave it a shot. I was so stupid. Serum is one of those plugins that you need. It doesn’t matter your genre, you need it. Its versatility is astonishing and the built-in effects give you infinite possibilities.
One that I think doesn’t get enough credit but it seems every producer has is Output’s Arcade. I find it fun just to play with. They constantly update the sounds and I can always find a bit of inspiration using it. The other thing I noticed is that when I get to a point in a track where I feel it’s just missing that ‘one thing’, Arcade is a great place to start looking.
I’m a sound junkie. I’m always searching for that spark. I’ll sit and listen to sounds until I find something. Then, I just pounce.
I usually build a wall of sound. Then add percussion. Finally the drums. If it hits, I’ll arrange the piece until the first chorus.
If it doesn’t scratch the itch I’m having, I’ll delete it. Doesn’t matter how long I’ve been working on it. I delete it. I don’t look at it as a loss though. It was a rep.
So now that I’m warmed up, I’ll restart the process.
It can lead to multiple songs in a few hours or a two-track, 8 bar piece. It really depends.
So, I am fortunate enough to work with one of the most talented and diverse teams at Legion Beats. Since joining them, I have not only had my production improve exponentially but my understanding of the business and marketing side.
Along with them, I regularly look to Gary Vee for more inspiration on the business side and Adam Ivy on the music marketing side. Another great one (if you use Reason) is Kickback Couture. Finally, Kato On The Track. Not only does he have tutorials on music production but also on the business side.
As artists and creators, we sometimes get caught up in the creative side of things and don’t really know how to get our voices heard by bigger audiences. It’s difficult to put that business/marketing hat on while you’re trying to tell your story, ya know? Here’s a video to help you build a bigger audience by Adam Ivy.
It’s all about how to market your music. You don’t want to wanna throw a pebble in the ocean you wanna create a wave.
Be happy. That’s all that ever matters.
If you’re not enjoying what you’re doing, change what you’re doing. If things aren’t going as you thought, re-frame your perspective and try to understand WHY things aren’t progressing as you want.
Worrying about what other people think only hurts you and reaffirms their thoughts.
You’ll hear a thousand ‘no’s’ but that one ‘yes’ makes it all worth it.
Well, I have a part-time job working as a content creator, engineer, and producer at a music studio and it oddly makes it more difficult to have time to work on my own music. Although I am able to work on beats for them when I’m at the studio, I’m usually filming, editing, or engineering a session.
On top of that, I’m a full-time student at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco with a major in Film.
So between these two things, I don’t have the most time to work on music but when I do, I’m usually very productive.
Percussion. If you feel your track doesn’t have enough bounce, a shaker or some rides can change that immediately. There are shakers in like 90% of songs.
Splice is always a great place to find new sounds. Technically, Arcade is online. One that I don’t think gets enough love is Instagram. Brands like Production Music Live and Cosmic Academy are always dropping gems on there.
One trick I have is I find the person that music is geared towards. My customer avatar for that type of music. So, say I make a future bass song and I have a friend I know that really loves future bass, I give them the track and ask their opinion. From there, I usually go to someone with more authority in that realm such as my co-workers or friends that work in the industry.
I would have to say K.F.M. x Harvey - Breathe with Me.
It’s crazy how it even came together.
One night before some afternoon sessions at the studio the next day, I was working on some tracks. All had their own vibe, one was a house track, the other was lo-fi track, and the final one was a pop track with dubstep elements.
I remember I finished the tracks around 3 a.m. It was the same time I got a message from Harvey for the first time. It just said, “Let's create.”
I was like, "Sure" and sent off the tracks I had just completed without even looking at her page.
The next day, I was in the middle of my last session around 4.30 p.m. or so. Harvey messages back.
It’s a rough copy of Breathe with Me.
It’s amazing.
A couple of ways actually. First, I have collaborated with some of the artists I have met through here, so it’s been a great tool to not only get a bigger audience but to also find some really talented people and some great music.
I have also been more comfortable not only releasing more music but all types of music. Before I would rarely release anything outside of hip hop but I have been able to get great feedback and explore some new ideas.
Finally, the rating system has given me a great idea of what works and what doesn’t. Sometimes I think something is great and it’s not received as well as I thought.
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This interview has been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.
