Hiya SYLL, thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today. Grab a brew and take a seat.
What was life like for you before you got into music?
I never thought i would be a musician, i never really had any definitive plan career wise but the emergence of hip hop just spoke to me and my life just headed in that direction
What’s the live music scene like in Manchester right now? Anyone we should be looking out for (bar you, of course)?
If i am honest i have not been to a live gig in a while.With hip hop being my main interest i look for those particular type of acts to go and see. One band i want to see live is The Mouse Outfit a live hip hop band from Manchester
It seems like being a social media curator has become added to the many jobs of a musician, how do you feel about this?
Since i am both the producer and artist i handle my social media by myself. It can be hard to keep up with all the platforms and decide the type of posts for each one. I am slowly getting better but i am still at the stage of figuring out what works and what doesn’t
How do you manage engagement on your socials?
I will always try to reply to any comment be they negative or positive, not that i get many of either, but if someone has taken the time to comment then i feel its only right to engage with them
What’s your view on the Music industry today?
Streaming has changed everything. Back when i started the only way you could put out a record that everybody had access to was through a record label. Now there are supposedly thousands and thousands of tracks being released daily on streaming platforms with probably over 90 percent just not being noticed or going anywhere
Where do you feel you currently sit within the music industry?
I don’t know where i sit in the music industry. I create music simply for the love.Its a passion which hasn’t died. Honestly a mate of mine had to tell me to go and look at my account on my distributors site to see if I had made any money. That isnt the main reason i make music, i just enjoy the whole process of creating
Whats the biggest thing you have learned recently as you progress with your music?
Just to enjoy what i am doing. The fact it is easy to put music out means i can get a certain level of satisfaction from that alone
What was your best experience on stage?
That had to be at the In the City showcase in Manchester back in the late 90s. I was in a group called Compound and the reception we got when we finished our set was something so positive i will never forget
What was your worst experience on stage?
We were playing a gig and one of our members appeared like he had stagefright which was strange as when he was in the studio recording he was so confident
Tell us something about you that you think people would be surprised about.
That i am 56 years old! I also had a serious mental health issue which took me out of making music for around 10 years. Honestly i hardly remember anything that happened i those years. I am still to this day playing catch up with what i missed musically. I had to go back to college to relearn and update my knowledge
I hear you have new music. What can you tell us about it?
Yeah a new single called Fluent in Lies. I am not usually a political artist but sometimes things just bug me to the point where i just have to express my opinion. This track was one of those moments
What was the recording process like?
No different from any other really. The biggest difference with my last few releases was the involvement of Aniff Akinola, a legend on the Manchester music scene helping out with some co production, mixing and mastering. My original production can sometimes be a bit raw and while sometimes that’s not a bad thing he can add a professional polish i don’t hear
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes?
That it can be cathartic to just get something off your chest through music
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
No, i am really happy with how it turned out. It was slightly experimental in sound but i feel the risk was worth it
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
Yes, financial rewards are satisfying but nothing beats doing something for the sheer passion and love
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