Q & A w/the Featured Producers of Writers Block (July 21st - 24th)
As we prepare for #WritersBlock, we had a sit down discussion with both of the featured producers on what the role of a producer is, what they are most looking forward to this weekend, and how they’re experiences have prepared them for an event such as this. Firstly, what is #WritersBlock? If you missed the news, refer back to the blog “Writer’s Block Q&A” For more details.
Frequently Asked Questions for Writer’s Block, an in-studio weekend songwriting camp to encourage creativity, inspiration, collaboration, and community building curated by Frequency VA. Songwriters will receive brief and intensive creative experiences over a weekend; 16 hours of studio time with Frequency VA Producers, Collaborative Songwriting Sessions, Workshops and Masterclasses, Feedback Sessions, Performance Opportunities, Industry Networking Events, Recording Sessions and Demo Production, Guest Speaker Sessions, Song Pitching and Placement Opportunities, Community Building and Camaraderie.
PRODUCER ONE - NEKO AIRES (a.k.a, Mr. Petty)
Question 1: What do you hope to add to the event?
A: To enlighten everyone on how to look past the surface of song lyrics. Everything is relateable to anything. All it takes is for you to be daring, and to describe something that most can relate to.
Question 2: In your opinion what is the relationship between producers and songwriters?
A: They go hand in hand. Can’t have one without the other. In my case I do both. One is creating the book and the other is putting the pages together. If words can paint a picture, so can music.
Question 3: What’s a positive experience you’ve had with a songwriter on a production of yours?
A: I was working with one artist in particular; they knew how to bring matter to the song and execute it. They gave feedback, and there was dialogue between us. We were on the same page, everything flowed, and we produced a great record.
Question 4: Which element of your production style do you think artists and songwriters gravitate towards most?
A; That’s hard to say because it depends on the artist or project. What they want to talk about, how they may feel; that’s beauty in it all. Understanding the subtle differences between each songwriter as a producer requires you to be creative in meeting them wherever they are at that moment in time.
Question 5: What challenges are you looking forward to / embracing ahead of the event?
A: Meeting new creatives of all aspects, not everybody’s intention is to be a songwriter or producer, however, that doesn’t mean they won’t have good input or insight for the record.
PRODUCER TWO - 2HEI (a.k.a, the Soulquarian Child)
Question 1: What do you hope to add to the event?
I hope to add my personal flavor, sound and style. There’s a certain standard in today’s music but I’m more of a traditionalist. I like challenging myself and those around to take the best of both worlds and infuse many different elements.
Question 2: In your opinion what is the relationship between producers and songwriters?
It really is like a marriage, sometimes a situation-ship. It really comes down to the chemistry between between the producer and songwriter, regardless of how hell the styles coincide, it still takes work to create something good. The goal is to find common ground, whatever that may look like.
Question 3: What’s a positive experience you’ve had with a songwriter on a production of yours?
When I approach productions, I look at it like a film score. I am inspired by a lot of scenes, animes, and visuals, so when I create a sound, I am trying to create a picture that someone can see themselves in. Whatever role a songwriter wants to play in the visual created, I try to adjust myself to. Sometimes I throw out concepts, one particular instance, I had a production idea revolving around time, and the songwriter/artists was able to take his experience and write something pretty dope to it.
Question 4: Which element of your production style do you think artists and songwriters gravitate towards most?
My production style is very minimal, and I think artist gravitate towards that because it allows them to be who they are without a lot of interference from the music. I relate background music to actors in a scene full of dialogue and emotion. The music is supposed to add on, but not take center stage. If it needs to be the main focus, we can go back and add elements later that will make it that, but I think having that balance is key. I also think the bounce and swing of the drums is something that stands out as well.
Question 5: What challenges are you looking forward to / embracing ahead of the event?
Since I have a unique style, getting people a bit out of there comfort zone is a challenge I’m looking to embrace. Some artist are very set on who they are and what they create, so trying to find a common space, where we can relieving creative tension and challenge what we’re comfortable with. I think thats what the entire week should be about personally.
We are excited to see what this weekend has in store. With such versatile producers and talented creatives, we hope to create an experience that is worthwhile, and can become bigger and bigger as time goes by. Can’t make it to this one event? Stay tuned for more events coming and big announcements coming soon!
For any questions, reach out to @frequencyva on Instagram!
Peace & Blessings!