Tell us about your production journey so far – how long have you been producing? And what drew you to it in the first place?
I have been producing for 7 years. I was a DJ first but eventually you had to produce your own music to set yourself apart from everyone else who was just a DJ. I began taking a course in Ableton Live at a school based in New York. Near the end of this course I was at a party and was moved by music in a way I had never been moved before. It was then that I said I want to be the person that creates and plays the music that gives this moment to others.
Week 1 of the course focuses on artist identity and positioning. Did this make you analyse your sound in anyway?
All of the years I have been making music I never really thought about my sound artistically or my position in the scene. I listened to and played a lot of different styles so I made a lot of different styles of music. Week 1 of the course, Pete made me realise that yes I made good music but there wasn’t that thing in my tracks that made them sound similar because I hadn’t really thought about my identity and the importance of it to breakthrough as an artist. This caused us to listen to the tracks I liked, dissect them to understand what I liked from each, and help me understand who I am as an artist.
What other modules really stood out to you throughout the 12 weeks?
The vocal and melodic hooks modules were really great. They helped me to understand what makes a catchy hook for a track
How important was the A&R feedback throughout your journey?
The A&R feedback throughout my journey was invaluable. Pete taught me to understand the importance of sound choice and how decisions in the production process will affect the direction of the track. I am now able to A&R my projects as I listen back and use what I learned to make better decisions while creating.
How happy were you with the track you made over the course of the 3 months?
I absolutely love the track I made during the course. It is by far the most well sounding track I have made. There is an instant vibe that I would not have achieved without the guidance of the course.
What do you think was unique or different about the Masterclass compared to other programmes/schools out there?
I have taken courses at different programs/schools for many different topics but A&R portion of the production masterclass is what makes it stand out from other programs. The production masterclass is the most well rounded course I’ve ever taken.
How would you compare your production ability/knowledge now, compared to when you started the course?
Compared to when I started the course, I now am using more of my analog gear and am consistently making high quality tracks.
How would you rate your tutors?
My tutors were top notch. Siege is a great producer who gave me a lot of insight into how he works and was great to bounce production ideas off of. Pete’s knowledge and years of experience are invaluable. He taught me to think like an A&R so when I am listening back to my work and even making it, I am making conscious decisions that will make my track sound cohesive and move it in the direction i intend it to go.
What was the single best experience you had on the programme?
The best experience I had in the program was getting my track signed by Toolroom.
Would you recommend the Masterclass to other producers?
I would absolutely recommend the Production Masterclass to other producers especially those who have production skills but are still not landing on their target labels.
As a graduate, what are your thoughts on the Toolroom Academy overall?
Toolroom academy is a great place to learn and connect with other like minded producers. It is the best decision I ever made to join the Toolroom Academy family. I really feel that it was exactly what I was missing to help me get to the next stage in my career.
