Welcome to the third post of this series! Today we are talking to Joshuah who is an aspiring music producer/artist. He will talk on how he found out his love of music, how he thinks the music industry has changed and his most pointless talent he has. We hope you enjoy this and take some inspiration from the interview.
Hi! So could you introduce yourself, how old you are, where are you from and what area of the music industry are you aspiring to be in?
Hey! My name is Joshuah, I am 16 years old, born in London but originally from Cape Town, South Africa.
My dream and goal is to grow being a music producer/artist in the Christian Music Industry. Which include’s working and making music for various artists (rappers, singers), but also getting artists on board my beats/instrumentals.
How did you discover what area you liked of music?
When I started making music in 2019 I made EDM style beats, but after some months passed I started leaning more to hip hop & pop music. Through that I built a love for cinematic music and bringing in orchestra and piano into almost everything I make. One of my inspirations Tommee Profitt (who makes cinematic music and works with christian artists) has inspired me in that area and has helped me form my sound and what I want to be know for making.
I know everyone is so over being in lockdown! How have you made lockdown into a positive thing and how has it helped you in terms of progressing your area of work?
Lockdown has definitely been hard I would say! When it first started I took it very negatively and honestly came to a point where I was depressed. I didn’t know how to handle it, but when I noticed we won’t be coming out of this situation anytime soon I realised I couldn’t stay in that depressed state. I started focusing more on making beats, putting together beat videos for instagram, trying to stay creative in any way possible. Lockdown has helped me connect with people all over the world, making music with people in different countries, learning more about the music industry and focusing on what route as a music producer I want to take! Its given me a different view of the music industry and how during this time we are able to keep going and make things work even when we aren’t in person! If it wasn’t for lockdown I wouldn’t be where I am now.
Do you think the music industry has changed a lot over time? Have you noticed anything specifically?
Absolutely! When we compare music from the 1960s to now there is definitely a big change in how the music is made, the quality of it and technology we use to put it all together. We also have so much more creative opportunities outside of just releasing music. I feel like it’s really helped welcome people who’s new into the industry with so many options and choices of what they want to do. I feel like the music industry has definitely grown and still is growing over time in many areas. Genres have expanded (still expanding) and there is always something new coming out!
What is something you wish you could say to someone high up in your profession?
I would probably ask a Music Producer where they find inspiration and how they manage collaborations and the time put out for each project.
What is the most useless talent you have?
Ooh hmm probably having a double jointed thumb which I use sometimes to press an extra note on the piano haha!! LOL
I feel like there is a lot of expectations on where you should in life at a certain time. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone younger wanting to do what you’re doing?
My advice would be to just go for it. Don’t let anything or anyone stop you from pursuing your dreams! Put in the time to make & create music as much as you can, learn from YouTube videos, and by just having fun! Start small and grow from there, challenge yourself and set goals to reach each month. Connect with other musicians and seek advice from people who are in the music industry! The more time you put into it the more you get out of it!
Vinyls and physical copies of music have been really popular over the past few years. Do you have any vinyls and what is your opinion on physical copies of music?
I used to have Vinyls but when we moved we gave them way sadly! There is nothing like having a physical copy of an Album I believe. Yes we nowadays have (Spotify, iTunes, Deezer, Amazon Music, etc), but there is nothing like having a physical copy instead of having everything on devices. I still use and listen in the car, with my family, to some CD’s on road trips. It's something I hope won’t die out!
Do you think music has become an aesthetic, so if you listen to Indie music do you think it influences you to adapt to that style such as what you wear and how you act?
I definitely believe that music nowadays does influence and affect you in some sort of way! I will give myself as an example. So I’m a massive fan of NF’s music, his music is very (dark, dramatic, cinematic, piano) but it hasn’t changed my style or how I act. Its definitely influenced me when it comes to creating music and the style I make though! So for me the type of music I listen to can influence me in some sort of creative way to make the same style music. For others it may be in a different manner, it might be in how they act, what they wear, the style of songs they write, what they post on social media, etc. So music does for sure play apart in who we are, just in different ways!
What is your biggest achievement?
My biggest achievement would probably be working on my EP Project! It’s still needing a lot of work and things to be finished but I’ve found that definitely a good challenge! So as the producer artist I need to find the right artists (singers & rappers) to be onboard the project and what song. It’s getting there, the process is long but I’m seeing everything come together which is great! Hopefully everything will be finished by May and then released in July.
Thank you for answering some questions! I wish you all the best for the future, is there anything else you’d like to add?
Thank you I enjoyed it! I hope the best for you too..
One thing I want to add is, stay creative even during lockdown! It may be hard to find things to do but keep pushing yourself, setting goals and challenge yourself!! You will definitely see a difference if you do!
God Bless
Joshuah Wiehahn (J1W)
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