How did you first get into music?
My parents had a stereo system and a bunch of CDs when I was a little kid. They had a CD of "The Eminem Show" that they rarely ever listened to, but I heard it one day and loved it. When they weren't home I'd throw the CD in the stereo and vibe out to it. I didn't really understand many of the lyrics, but there was something about the beats and Eminem's delivery that got me amped up. I've been a huge fan of hip hop ever since then.
I started learning music when I saw a guitar in a store when I was about 7 years old. It was a cheap beginner's electric guitar that I was able to convince my parents to buy for me. I started guitar lessons soon after and fell in love with it. I was obsessed and practiced for hours every day. I got good pretty fast and got into playing classical Spanish guitar and some jazz since I liked how the arrangements sounded beautiful even with just solo guitar. Nowadays I value simplicity in music, but I think the classical and jazz influences still come through a bit with a focus on beautiful sounding compositions, especially with my newer music.
I started making beats in FL studio just for fun in high school but became a bit distanced from music when I started university. I got back into music heavy when I broke up with a girl in 3rd year. I can't explain what compelled me to try making a full song, but I ended up making a breakup track and the cathartic feeling was addictive. I've been regularly releasing songs since then, with an obsessive compulsion to get better with every song. At first I was mostly making trappy, alternative hip-hop songs, mainly inspired by Juice WRLD and XXXTentacion, but soon started further developing my vocals and incorporating more soulful sounding singing. Most recently I've been getting into more lo-fi textured, chill, soulful music, with Mac Miller being a big inspiration.
What is your creative process when making music?
When I make music, I like to go in with no plan. I find it comes out the most authentic that way. I like to get high when I make music too. I find it helps me get into a flow state and just vibe with the music. I usually start by just jamming on the guitar, bass, or piano until something sticks. Sometimes I'll beatbox a rhythm to get the process started. What's important to me is that things come in the moment and excite me. Keeping that energy alive through the process is crucial to me. I also like listening to sample packs from The Drum Broker. If I find an inspiring sample, I'll load it up in FL Studio and just start freestyling lyrics until I have a hook I like and build up the song that way. Sometimes if a producer sends me a beat I like, I'll just start making lyrics on the spot and recording too.
What is your main inspiration?
It's hard for me to explain where my inspiration comes from. It seems to just come from the ether and all of a sudden I have an idea in my head. Usually, the music comes to me first, and I put lyrics to it later, but sometimes a standout line will randomly come to mind and that will inspire a full song. For me, creativity is more about being in a mindset where ideas easily come and go. I usually end up writing introspective songs about love, heartbreak, and depression.
What is your proudest achievement as far as an artist?
My proudest achievement is learning how to do anything I wanted to do musically. When I first started, I couldn't sing for the life of me, but just kept practicing and now I'm comfortable singing melodies. I also taught myself audio engineering. I knew I was going to be making music for a long time and wouldn't be able to afford paying studio time for all the music I was making, so I taught myself how to do it. Over time I gradually accumulated music gear to make my ideas come to life the way I hear them in my head. To see the quality of my music come so far and having learned it by myself is something I'm proud of. Now I don't need to pay for studio time and can take command of my own sound design. I think that also helps bring my visions to life in their purest form.
What are your plans in the coming months?
Stay tuned, I'm planning an album rollout in a couple of months. I've been on about a 7-month hiatus working on this album every day, making sure everything sounds perfect to me, and I couldn't be happier with how it's sounding. It's an incredibly unique sounding album. It's a soulful lo-fi album about love, loss, and rekindling lost love. The sound design is unlike anything you'll have heard, and I think I've really let my soul come through the music. I can't wait to share it with the world.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I see myself at the top of the music game in 5 years. I've never doubted myself, and always believed if I keep taking steps in the right direction towards my goals, it's only a matter of time until I'm there. After grinding for about 7 years now, I finally feel like the sound quality of my music compares to commercially successful songs and brings a new creative sound that will be refreshing to listeners. Even if it isn't in 5 years, I'm relentless and I'm determined to be one of the greats in music. Whether it happens when I'm 27 or 77, the world will know me.
Will you be delving into other genres in the future?
Yes, I'm always experimenting musically. I've dabbled in hip hop, R&B, lo-fi, acoustic, rock, and more. I just create whatever excites me and that's always changing.
