Secret Life of a Shy Producer
By Secret Life of a Shy Producer
Secret Life of a Shy ProducerJul 26, 2018
April 18th 2019 Update (It's been a while)
Hello!
It has been a while since my last episode. In this episode, I talk about my experience at an event that I went and participated in (with perhaps a touch of self deprecation). As a shy, anxiety ridden, and introverted producer, I went to a public event in Toronto (April 13)which was awesome and it was a great experience. The producers who participated were astonishing and I'm hoping some of their creativity rubs off on me :)
I discuss my idiosyncrasies (aka, how my mind loves to work against me). I decided to document this honestly personal account of how I've been getting over self judgement by basically changing my perception of comparing myself against others to comparing the actions of the older(past)me to the (relative)present me. Basically this is worthy of a 5th grade Dr.Phil episode.
April 4,2019 podcast (Quick Ramble)
This was a quick ep about what I've been up to during the week.
Note: I decided against posting the second part of this podcast (which had nothing to do with music). It was about a tragedy that had happened a few days ago at my alma mater (suicide). I went off the deep end (I speak off the cuff) talking about it because it's a tough subject and after listening back to my ramble, I realized that my perspective would be perceived as highly offensive and anti PC or insensitive to any of the parties involved. Suicide is a multifaceted issue that I cannot tackle without coming off as if I'm blaming either the school, the family, the friends, the culture, or the victim(which would land me in hot water in any case). The way I would've tackled the issue of my university and suicides/mental health would be from my own (highly biased) perspective and I would sadly try to put my experience on the victim which is neither fair or accurate to their situation. Because I am no professional, I would hope that if anyone is feeling depressed and anxious would express it and get help asap. It's easier to get help now than it was when I was a student.
March 25,2019 Podcast
I briefly talk about my experience going to LoopSessions Toronto. Summary: I didn't participate but I did stay for a while and got immersed in the atmosphere and watched the other producers/artists work and it was great :D.
3,2,1 (March 21,2019 Podcast): Toronto Beats Session on the Weekend Plus I talk about my latest release
Main Links:
https://soundcloud.com/loopsessionstoronto
https://www.instagram.com/loopsessionstoronto/
Note: for sign up, go to instagram page!
The Free VST I forgot to mention that I used in my track is A1 Trigger Gate
http://www.alexhilton.net/A1AUDIO/index.php/a1triggergate
On March 14,2019, I ramble about my week (plus about why I deal with instrumentals)
Hey Hey Hey!
Side notes:
1) I wasn't crying while recording note:
2) medias doesn't make sense...pretty sure media is plural
3) There are a myriad of reasons for why I deal with instrumental music on a whole. I guess impressionability (or sensitivity) is a large reason for why I don't listen deeply to lyrical tracks. Mind you, I used to listen to k-pop and j-pop (still kind of do) and I have to turn off subs because I'm not interested in their lyrical messages
PS: Break up with your girlfriend, I'm bored=Ariana Grande (I messed up on the song title)
Hope you enjoy the ramblings
March 7,2019 Rambling: Cascade
What type of guitarists calls the art of guitar playing guitaring?
Me.
But enough about that...
Thanks for tuning in to this shorter episode. I just briefly talk about what I've been up to this week (and what I'm releasing). I was recording in my closet and I was trying to be quiet so there was probably less pep in my voice.
Remember to keep putting your stuff out there :)
Feb 28,2019 Ramble (Guitar Therapy)
Greetings!
I was not in the best mood this week. I've had a lot of things change on me which have made me feel down and anxious. Like seasons, moods change and evolve over time, and music has helped me get through most of it and will continue to do so.
I briefly talk about what I've been up to this week and how I've been feeling. I make mention to tracklib.com (easy way to clear samples), and I talk about how guitar soothes me...
Feb 21,2019 Rambling: My 3rd album has been released
Happy Thursday!
This episode I talk a bit about my 3rd album called Subcity (inspired by my suburban town).
Note: May contain swear words.
https://open.spotify.com/album/2FcAkMxe2Gj8YFabfFk1D1 spotify
https://him3emusic.bandcamp.com/album/subcity-2
The Process of Growth Requires Sucking
Happy Day after VD for all my single soul survivors! I apologize for not posting yesterday I've been busy (skip to about 6 mins to get to the point of the episode).
I think episode is very much one that could be applied to anything you do. My main premise was that the process of growth no matter what you do requires sucking, giving up, and starting over. It requires ego and awareness. It requires insecurity(humility?) and enjoyment (passion). It's a cluster of things.
I ramble about my experience with growth (ps, I'm still going through it)
Anyway, enjoy and cheers!
Feb 7, 2019: I completed my album (plus what I've been up to for the past week)
Greetings, I talk a bit about what I've been up to this past week. Short version: I finished my album, it's gonna be released Feb 21 (officially). I talk about what I've been working on (including what I'm trying to do guitar wise).
Jan 31,2019 pt 2 BET #FindingTweet and I ramble about music(again)
Greetings, this was recorded as a technical pt 2 to the Jan 31 episode. I actually talked about this video I was sent (#FindingTweet) where Tweet talks about her come up in the music industry and what happened after Oops oh My. I then shallowly ramble about music in the 80s and kind of wonder if we are currently repeating the period of the 80s in both politics (Reagan vs trump era) and in music (pop music 80s vs pop music now).
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B63ggPx41_s for finding tweet
Jan 31,2019: How I came up with my artist name
This is one of my shorter podcasts (joy) where I talk about how I came up with my artist name HIM3E. I promise you, it's not really profound or groundbreaking. Note: This is technically a 2 part podcast episode. I recorded a part where I discuss a video I watched about the artist named Tweet but decided not to post it as of yet (but stay tuned)
Jan 24 2019: I ramble about Brampton, Hipster Mentality, and I'm finished my album
Greetings!
Today, I ramble about a video Vice did on Brampton Hip Hop Scene.
https://video.vice.com/en_ca/video/scene-reports-brampton/5c129958be407759e32c53cb
Also, check out Haviah's Flower City (I messed up the title in my podcast episode...) She's up and coming out of Btown.
https://haviahmighty.ca/
I also semi come out as genrefluid (the word is 'So Fetch')...
I also go back on forth with myself about hipster mentality (and the transition in mentality between being a musician fan and now producing my own music.
The last bit is just about a declaration of basically finishing my album.
Note: I'm not looking to be profound or anything. I just like to ramble so I hope you enjoy!
Jan 17,2019: I released my first single of the year (oh and I didn't get the grant)
The title is pretty self explanatory. I decided to edit out (completely faze out) 8 extra minutes of rambling (felt like being in a truncated mood today)
I talk a bit about my track (how I produced it and how I came up with the album cover. (check out bandcamp:
https://him3emusic.bandcamp.com/track/valley-boi-and-he-was-like)
Word of the day: effectively (I use it as much as I use 'like')
Jan 10,2019 Ramblings: What I've been up to with my latest project
Greetings,
I start off by (re)shouting out CableGuys(the only cable guys I know that provide legit value *yes, I'm shading the big telecommunication companies in Southern ON*). I then ramble on about my little successes with my productions (for instance, I actually finished mixing/mastering some of my tracks).
Note: I actually did edit parts of this podcast. I had 2 coughing fits that I felt were too nasty to put on this podcast. So ASMR fans, your welcome.
Anyhow, I hope you enjoy this episode.
Cheers!
Tis a New Year (I was sick but now I'm back)
Happy post holidays and new year to all! This episode I just talk about why I haven't posted in the past 2 weeks. Basically, I was sick, either flu or pneumonia and I was knocked out for literally 2 weeks. Also, I was working through the sickness (like working 9-5 because I don't have sick days to take off).
I didn't get to immerse myself in music the way I would've like to during the holidays (couldn't listen to anything or look at a screen)
I recorded on Jan 3rd and edited on Jan 4 (I had to edit out my coughs. They were legit nasty and for ASMR (AMSR?) lovers, you'd hate it so I wanted to be respectful of that.
Any how, I hope you enjoy this episode and yes, there will be more to come in ze future.
December 20, 2018
Rambling on what I've been up to this week: briefly talk about Ghost in TO
I talk about my experience going to the Ghost concert (prog is cool) at the Sony Centre.
I contradict myself here and there, but in my defense, I was rambling.
I talk about what I've been up to this week and what I'm planning on for the new year.
Hope you enjoy.
I think may I come to COVET this band's sound: I ramble about my week, and obsession with Math Rock
Post Black Friday Podcast (I splurged and bought TimeShaper and Halftime)
Throughout the podcast I actually (attempt to) demonstrate the plugins on my already finished/released works (I basically mangled my tracks but I hope you guys don't find it to be too trashy or grimey. In my defense though, I've heard other people using the plugin and it sounded like heaven and I like what my experiments have produced :)
If you want to perhaps prove that you'll get better outcomes using the plugin, I implore you to purchase it. Ps, as you may clearly know, my stuff is not sponsored so no pressure.
Currently a bit musically fatigued (I'll explain)
Also, Have fun on black Friday (be safe).
Ep 14: What I've been up to this week plus I briefly talk about the Billboard 200
This episode I talk about what my week has been like (what I've been working on musically, my present struggles) and I talk a bit about the top 200 on billboard (albums). Shout out to Sir Bocelli.
Things to clear up:
Andrea Bocelli Becomes First Classical Artist to Hit No. 1 on Billboard Artist 100 Chart (https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8483841/andrea-bocelli-first-classical-artist-number-1-artist-100)
Note: I think it helped Andrea that he had well known artist collabs in giving him a boost with this generation while
also keeping his original older fan base.
When it comes to my opinion on the track 'If only feat Dua Lipa', it's my unprofessional opinion. I'm still a beginner and still learning how to mix better.
I should also note that all the songs played in my podcasts belong to me. I produced them all :) Hope you enjoy this episode.
I've been musically red pilled: I go crazy listening to 'Girls Like You' (reaction pt 2)
Ep 13: Run down about my week plus I try to find the brightside to pop music (Reaction pt1)
I went on the Billboard site and decided to listen and react to the #1 most streamed song this week
called Zeze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjaayCARwro) and try to compliment it the best I could. It wasn't too hard this time around because I actually like Trap Instrumentals and Hip Hop plus it's got an 'island' feel to it. The production was on point.
Stay tuned to my bonus episode where actually get distressed and have a legit meltdown after listening to 'Girls Like You'. (As you may be able to tell, I have no shame so long as I'm behind a mic. )
Ep 12 What Get's Me In Flow and Experimental (musically):My Shallow Rambles
"Everything I Am' and think of the concept of 'Self Awareness'
* Disclaimer: I get a bit quirky this episode*
I ramble about what puts me in flow musically(aka what I enjoy about music composition and production).
I veer off into some hysterical rambles and mini rants about pop culture (Kardashian stuff) and get semi philosophical. I talk about what inspired my latest track "the unremarkable beauty of life"
Note: Warner Bros/Looney Tunes frog is Michigan J. Frog lol. I don't know where the fox idea came from...
Ps: I'm aware enough to know that this is not polished. I didn't edit out my mistakes, and I didn't go back to edit the music to make it quieter.
So I went to IMSTA FESTA TO (My rambles)
Check out these links (My shoutouts):
Dizzy D: www.instagram.com/straightdizzy/?hl=en
TQ2: open.spotify.com/artist/4jXwwbBRJemQOk7HP0s435
Vocal Doubler: www.izotope.com/en/products/mix/vocal-doubler.html
TDR Nova EQ: www.tokyodawn.net/tdr-nova/
2018 AMAs: A Run Down of the Winners and of My Problems With Mainstream Music
I was inspired by MIGOS' win for favourite pop/rock duo to do this episode.
PS: I mentioned that Maroon 5 did a cover to Bob Marley song but I wanted to correct myself. It was the Wailers.
I also edited out a crazy rant I had about JLo because I'm looking to be dragged (for 'drug')/ or read to be honest.
Remember: These are all MY OPINIONS!
Oh, and enjoy
Ep 9: Oct 4,2018 What I've been up to this week (ps: Sign up for IMSTA Festa TO)
Decided to give a bit of a run down to what my week has been like.
I put out a track called Subscribe
soundcloud.com/him3emusic/subscribe
I'm also experimenting with my tracks (as always).
PS: www.imsta.org/2018_TO.php
Ep 8: Why do people hate Nickelback (My Response)
But here's the thing, I don't hate Nickelback and I tried to defend them. However, rather than building a tower of Nickelback love, I decided to tear down everyone else.
I make wild generalizations about
mainstreamers and metalheads (I didn't go after prog in this rant);women and men alike.
I ramble and then I rant. And I hope you enjoy it .
Note:
There were a few things that I actually got wrong because of these generalizations and after listening back to my recording, I cringed.
Clickbait article: mentalfloss.com/article/78221/scientific-explanation-why-everyone-hates-nickelback
Quote about women/girls misattribution:
“the teenage girl is the most contemptible fan of all, and the mere suggestion that a band is popular with ‘the girlies’ may suffice to conjure the whiff of artistic failure.”
Check out the article and have a great week!
Ep 7: Rambling about Copyright Notices and Public Domain
I'm a bit salty and shocked about it so I'm taking a break from the PD audio samples and going to try my hand at writing instead.
Also notes:
1) Amelia Earhart went missing in 1937...
2) Canadians: check out the song vault @ songwriters.ca (it's not copyright but it's a good service
3) I believe I said something about sampling other peoples music as wrong or something. I don't inherently think that (I think you should do you regardless. I just try not to sample outside of royalty free/public domain work professionally)
Overall, grateful this experienced happened now rather than later on.
*I use my own music productions as background music so there is no grey area there*
Episode 6: Grant Writing Under Time Constraints: not fun.
I survived the grant writing process and submitted a day before its due(a huge feat for a procrastinator like myself).
But I sacrificed time that I would normally spend on my music to do so.
After about a week and a half of production cold turkey, I started part of the mixing process for a track that I practically had finished arranging 3 weeks ago on Wednesday. I hope to release next week (if not sooner). This week though, I ramble about that new track a bit (not in full detail).
Aug 23,2018 Creative Stall: random (one shot bonus)
The Creative Process: Breakdown of Insecure (Validation)
Note:
Time is a valuable resource: go to 3:20 mins to skip my ramblings
Also, check out these Links (mentioned in the episode):
Craftmasters Production 808s : www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4-aNuqgaFY
Public domain speeches of the 20th Century:
archive.org/details/Greatest_Speeches_of_the_20th_Century
Public domain films:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_in_the_public_domain_in_the_United_States
Insecure (Validation) Full track : open.spotify.com/track/1kJWofhBKpHQzx2cvHosr6
Episode 3: Ramblings on Criticism and Judgement
Lo-fi Beats are In(?)
blog.pond5.com/20709-lo-fi-in-high-demand-making-music-with-an-indie-edge/
IMSTA FESTA TORONTO 2018 IS COMING (SIGN UP!!!)
Just wanted to let you shy producers,other musicians and music/gears***s (basically anyone who is interested in electronic music or recording) out there about this event that is going to happen in October in Downtown Toronto. Check out the link:
www.imsta.org/2018_TO.php
PS: I really hope you can attend because it's changed my perspective on music production and I hope it could inspire and motivate you.
Episode 2:Music Snobs and Elitist Ramblings
Episode 1: Pilot Ramblings
I ramble about eccentricities, holding back, and what's to come