The essence of what I do is try to make music that means something to people and that will last. With that being said, the ideas that I have….even the techniques I utilize in the studio all a means to that end. Here are a few things that I have learned over the years.
1. Support the artist and their vision. We as producers/engineers and anyone else involved in an artist’s career should put aside their ego’s and focus on making the vision of the artist come to life. Yes there are those situations where the artist has no vision, or a wack one. In these situations I suggest finding a new artist or collecting your check and moving on.
2. Do not emulate what is popular. I cant tell you how many times I’ve been asked to replicate so and so’s sound on their new “hot” track. Most people don’t see the problem in this, especially if they are of the 1st wave of copycats. In fact they often feel innovative for copying 1st. I guess maybe I’m cut from a different cloth. SMH.
3. Get the idea out RIGHT NOW and record it. Do not wait. Record it in your iphone, garage band. Whatever you have to do, because when that moment is gone then the time for that idea has past and you will never get it back. I believe this one reason why great artists seem to be so aloof. They follow that wave and set everything else to the side when it hits.
To be continued…
