What was your life like before you started making music?
It is difficult to pinpoint the exact time before the music. I think that’s always been a part of me. I didn’t formally start writing songs until I was 14, experimenting with different melodies and improvising piano and vocal repertoire. I definitely belonged more to the classical music scene, which I still highly value, but I felt like I wanted more control and individuality. Songwriting is a great way to achieve this.
Where do you think you are in the music industry right now?
I feel like I’m in an in-between state right now. The music world has interactions with the academic world, and I have one foot in each door. They are two completely different parts of my life, but I need both to function. I cherish being at this stage of my career. This is because they can apply what they have learned in academic settings and create meaningful stories. You could write a song about a revolutionary figure or philosophical concept you discussed in your writing class, or you could convey your sense of frustration when you hit a coding bug. But all this is closely related to the ability to capture personal thoughts and feelings in everyday encounters.
What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned from others in the industry?
The biggest thing I learned is that music is only one part of the industry. Most of the industry is all about relevance/freshness in marketing and atmosphere. It took me a while to get used to it because it’s a competition to see who stands out the most.
If you could wish for one thing to help your career, what would it be?
I think what I need now is to collaborate with other creators. I’m lucky because my university is the perfect place to do this. I’ve met some great people along the way. I’m excited to finally be able to learn new skills and continue making music. I would like to start producing music videos and collaborating with producers in the near future.
What is your worst experience on stage?
One day, I was playing the piano at a nursing home when a woman in a wheelchair ran into me. She was in the middle of playing a cover of “Lost Boy” when suddenly I felt something hit me and push me and the entire grand piano backwards. Honestly, I had no idea what to do in this situation, so I just froze for a few seconds and then continued playing. I actually have a video of that moment somewhere, and looking back on it, it was a really funny and random experience.
Tell us something you think people would be surprised about.
I have grapheme and color synesthesia. That is, we associate colors with numbers, letters, etc. Unfortunately, this isn’t the music variety, but it allows you to draft color schemes, which is very useful when writing lyrics or memorizing math equations.
What sets you apart as a band/artist?
I think what sets me apart is the duality between music and academia/STEM advocacy. These two very different parts of my life combine in a unique way. You’ve probably heard about this interplay between STEM and classical music all the time, but you’ve probably never heard of modern forms of mainstream music. I want to use my platform to promote this intersection and be someone who can empathize and be a role model at the same time.
I hear you have new music, could you tell us about it?
We recently released two new songs. Her R&B version of “reality” and a new song called “without aduct”.
I think this version of “Reality” reaches a new level of vocal maturity. It also accurately captures the essence of the song’s dystopian themes on a classy level. I decided to revisit this track because I wanted to try different sounds and let the audience choose which version they liked better. However, the overall concept remains the same. Yet it delves into the difference between objective and subjective reality, reminding listeners that everyone’s perspective is unique.
Of course, I didn’t want to leave people alone with just a reprint, so I decided to release “unset a question” as well. This song is definitely outside of my comfort zone. It is written from the perspective of my alter ego, a person who is not afraid to speak his mind. I won’t go into details about the meaning of this song, but it talks about individuality and human nature. I leave the complete interpretation to the audience.
What was the recording process like?
I usually draft out the chords and rough beats in my dorm room, then think about what I want the story of the song to be. Once you have enough ideas, book a recording studio at your boarding school and sing your heart out. Once the vocals are complete, you send this rough demo to your producer, who does his magic to bring the song to life.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing new songs?
I think the biggest learning curve was finding exactly how I could communicate my musical thoughts. I started writing songs on the piano, but I wanted to learn how to create a unique sound, so I learned how to produce myself. Of course, producing a track requires a lot of skill, but the more I learn, the closer I feel to realizing my vision. You can also set a specific mood and find your own sound. Nowadays, I have a habit of adding trap beats to guitar riffs and fusing indie and R&B.
Now that it’s complete, do you want to change anything?
I’m always revisiting my old work and I love being able to do that because I have full ownership of my music. That’s why I want to reconsider “reality”, firmly convey my growth as an artist, and firmly show the multifaceted nature of my songs.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
If you like my music, please feel free to spread the word.
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RGM interview details here