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Artist Q&A

List your Top 5 favorite songs of all time, and one reason why for each. (Think of it like this: if you could only listen to 5 songs for the rest of your life, which 5 songs would you choose?). NOTE: By definition, a song = a piece of music with vocals, lyrics and music.I don't [more]List your Top 5 favorite songs of all time, and one reason why for each. (Think of it like this: if you could only listen to 5 songs for the rest of your life, which 5 songs would you choose?). NOTE: By definition, a song = a piece of music with vocals, lyrics and music.
I don't have any favorites of all time. Favorites will always change. Here are five highlights though that sum up different aspects of what I love in music.
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Me and Your Mama by Childish Gambino - Absolutely insane song. I vividly remember sitting at a lunch table in 8th grade listening to this song for the first time with my friend Jace. Our reactions to the insane switch two minutes in were hilarious. I think that outro was the moment I first started falling in love with music production and songcrafting on a deeper level.
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Graceland Too by Phoebe Bridgers - This song perfectly encapsulates Phoebe's ability to find universality in the specific. The banjo and the beautiful chamber-folk strings meld so cleanly with the acoustic guitar and her voice... And those vocal harmonies at the end from the other two members of Boygenius... Ugh. So, so good.
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Godspeed by Frank Ocean - Such an ethereal song. Really short, but packs a super powerful emotional punch. I adore organs, and this song has my favorite organ tone ever. The outro is so cinematic and while it's jarring if you're listening to this song individually, it works super well in the context of the album.
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Nandemonaiya by RADWIMPS - My favorite song from my favorite movie (see question 26), with one of my favorite melodies to boot. The english version of this song is cool, but the vocal performance and lyrics of the original Japanese version are way better. I think it's super sad that people don't give music in foreign languages a chance... Despite the obvious barrier, there's super fun and melodically diverse experiences you can have if you branch out.
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GONE GONE / THANK YOU by Tyler, the Creator - This song is Tyler fulfilling himself artistically. He takes all of his disparate influences and smashes them into something that sounds like it came from a foreign planet. My favorite song off my favorite album.

List the Top 5 songs you wish you'd written, and one reason why for each. (Any reason is viable!).
1. No Surprises by Radiohead - This song scares me. It's the sound of optimistic complacency after being beaten down by the systems of an oppressive world that chews you up and spits you out. It simultaneously sounds like a dream and reads like a nightmare... Such an interesting contrast, and is so complex and deep despite how simple the writing seems on first glance.
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2. Musician by Porter Robinson - This song feels like it was written for this time in my life. Porter found a way to capture a universal artistic struggle so succinctly.
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3. Nobody by Mitski - Mitski decided to crawl into my head, all the way down into the most insecure and melancholic part of my psyche, write down my thoughts on a notepad or record them into a voice memo or something, and turn it into a disco song. There are certain phrases and metaphors in this song that I've definitely thought about before. I one day hope to have the finesse to make them sound as good as she did.
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4. I Will Follow You Into the Dark by Death Cab for Cutie - One of my favorite love songs. It's simple, honest, beautiful, and sounds like something I would think of. I wish I did.
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5. White Christmas by Irving Berlin - $$$. I dislike Christmas music but you can't argue with the bestselling song in history.

List what you believe are the Top 5 Greatest Songs Ever Written, and one reason why for each.
1. A Hard Rain's A‐Gonna Fall by Bob Dylan - This song is worthy of a separate list talking only about metaphors from
this song. This song is so powerful and transcendent. My favorite version is done by the jazz singer Kurt Elling… I can't recommend it highly enough.
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2. Yesterday by The Beatles - Everything about this song is perfect. It's a super common pick for a reason.
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3. I Just Called to Say I Love You - My pick for the best love song of all time. A stone cold classic with a super simple but timeless hook.
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4. The Blacker the Berry - My pick for the best written rap song ever. The first time I heard Kendrick compare his blackness to that of the heart of a Nazi, I got chills. This song is packed with lines that deep and powerful.
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5. God Only Knows by The Beach Boys - The sum of this song's parts is something so much greater than it should be on paper. The peak of Brian Wilson's genius.

On the piano or guitar, do you understand how to build and/or play major and minor scales and chords starting on any note?
Yes, with the piano.

Proficiency in the art and craft of SongMaking requires some solid understanding of the entire process. Are there any parts of the process you find confusing, intimidating, or difficult? (i.e. from the initial song idea to producing, mixing and mastering?)
I am working on learning the production side of things. Definitely the most intimidating.

What instrument are you most proficient on? Also, do you sing at all (explain)?
I'm mainly a vocalist, but working on my piano and bass skills.

Do you understand the concept of of "relative major and minor scales"
Yes.

Do you know how to build Major 7th, Minor 7th, Dominant 7th chords, Suss-4, and Add-9 Chords? If not, please list which ones you don't know.
Yes.

Can you read, write, and understand basic rhythms (from whole notes to 32nd notes)?
Yes.

Do you know the basics of how to setup a new session then record, edit, route tracks, and assign plugins in Protools?
No, but I'm working on it.

Which digital audio workstation (DAW) are you most familiar with and prefer using?
Logic.

Do you understand how to put WAV files of individual drum samples into "the grid" in a DAW and make basic drum beats?
Yes.

Do you know how to set up a basic signal flow to record with a microphone and/or instrument without unwanted distortion (i.e. from the instrument to the mic, cable, pre-amp settings, interface input, setting gain, and recording in your DAW, etc.)?
Yes.

Do you understand the basics of how to use EQ and compressor plugins?
Yes.

Do you tend to use plugin presets, or use your own custom settings (explain)?
Presets for now, but as I get more into things I'm tweaking them more and more.

How do you feel you learn best?
I learn best in person, by listening or by doing things hands on. I'm an audio learner.

On average, do you prefer inventing/creating your own techniques or learning proven techniques (explain)?
I think that established techniques are super important, but they reach their full potential when utilized in novel ways. Not every rule is meant to be broken, but any rule can be bent.

When it comes to your artistry, what are you most confident about? Also, least confident about?
I'm most confident about my singing ability, and with my ability to be creative with songwriting. I'm least confident when it comes to production.

Describe your dream scenario for your career as an artist. Be specific!
I wanna be an all rounder artist. I want to be able to have my hand (even if only a little) in every step of the process, from the topline to the production/arrangement to the performance. I want to inspire people and make them feel things, and work with those I idolize to make more people feel more things. Lots of money would also be super awesome, although it's not necessary.

Do you tend to envy other artists or feel competitive with them, or are you supportive of others?
I'm more supportive! Why envy someone when you could try to build a connection with them to collaborate in the future?

On average how much time per day (or week) do you currently spend working on your craft?
As much as I can. At least an hour or so a day.

What brings you the most joy in both life in general and as an artist?
Being able to be genuine and be fully accepted for it.

What makes you most frustrated both personally and as an artist?
Being fake, or surrounded by others who are fake.

Do you see yourself as more of a leader or someone who is comfortable in a supportive position? If it depends, explain.
I am a leader, at least when it comes to music. In other endeavors I have a much easier time being supportive.

On average, As you grow and progress as a person and an artist, is it more important that you have fun, or do you believe in a no-pain-no-gain process? Explain.
I think that the process of growing is fun. You have to go through pain to gain anything worthwhile in life.

What are you 3 favorite movies/films of all time? And Why?
Not a movie guy at all, but here are 3 I love.
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1. Your Name (dir. by Makoto Shinkai) - The only movie I want tattooed on me. As a hopeless romantic, I really connect to this movie and its themes of fate, true love, and overcoming even the largest obstacles to be with that special someone. This is also the movie that introduced me to anime, which has had a huge influence on my artistic takes and helped widen my musical knowledge across language barriers.
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2. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse - The best superhero movie I've ever seen is also the best 3D animated movie I've ever seen. The direction is absolutely phenomenal, the characters are compelling, and the story beats all land perfectly. The unique art style and amazing fusion that comes in act 3 only acts like icing on the cake.
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3. La La Land - The cinematography and performances in this movie are so amazing. I love the atmosphere of it all, and the overall message about following your dreams. Many also find the ending to be unsatisfying, but I'd argue it's absolutely perfect.

What are your 3 favorite artists of all time? And why?
Tyler, the Creator - Everything Tyler makes sounds like him through and through, and I really appreciate that. It's something I wanna exemplify in my own music.
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Kanye West - The best producer of all time. You might disagree with any number of crazy things he's said/done, but the music is there and nobody can take that away.
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Billy Joel - One of the best songwriters ever. An absolute legend, with so many catchy yet meaningful hooks across his discography. If you've only ever heard piano man, please go listen to more of his work.

What are your 3 favorite songs RIGHT NOW? And why?
1. TAKE A CHANCE by DOMi & JD BECK - This song is so smooth, and the melodies are gorgeous. It's so crazy how DOMi comes up with those chords and the bass lines singlehandedly. The Anderson .Paak feature on this is just the icing on top of it all.
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2. The 30th by Billy Eilish - THE FRICKIN BRIDGE. First song to make me tear up in a while. So beautiful, even if part of the chorus melody is just "Someone Like You" by Adele.
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3. Mercury by Steve Lacy - I love how unusual this song is, and how Steve embraces the latin groove and the warble-y falsetto.


What emotions do you feel you most often feel the need to express through your artistic creativity?
I think that depends on my stage in life... I write based on how I feel, and that always changes. Right now, I'd say feelings of loneliness and longing for someone else, whether it be romantically or for God.

Is there one or more styles/genres of music that you despise/hate/can't stand?
I think good music can be made in any genre, but I have an extreme distaste for several artists, including AJR, new Eminem, new Ed Sheeran, and Tones and I.

On a spectrum between 1 and 20, do you consider yourself more interested in technical perfection (1), or more interested in overall feel (20)? (For example, if it's an equal blend of the two you would answer: 10) Explain.
15. The technical aspect of music is important, but should never get in the way of the energy or vibe of a track.

Have your parents been supportive of your artistry?
Yes, thankfully.

Do you find that you prefer short bursts of learning/working with consistent breaks, or longer, focused times?
Shorter bursts.

What are your thoughts or opinions on counseling/therapy/psychology?
I'm walking proof that therapy works.

On a scale of 1-10 (10 being greatest), how do you personally rate the importance of the arts as entertainment or escapism? (as opposed to as a way to go deeper into ones thoughts and feelings). Explain.
8. The arts are super important as a means of escapism, but that shouldn't undermine its importance as a way to teach us more about the world around us, and of ourselves.

On a scale of 1-10 (10 being greatest), how do you personally rate the importance of the arts as a means of personal expression, communication and meaning?
10.

Are you technically savvy with regards to computers etc.? (What programs are you familiar with? i.e. Protools, Logic, Garage Band, Photoshop etc.). Do you enjoy this technical/engineering side of music? Explain.
I am tech savvy, but am still working to become more fluent in the technical side of music making.

What do you feel is the best thing about you as a person? The least best thing?
Best: I'm super open-minded.
Worst: I'm super disorganized.

Do you feel it's important to finish everything you start, or do you tend to leave work unfinished for some reason? Explain.
I think finishing is the most important part of any process, but I sometimes struggle with it. As the creative initiator I have a much easier time coming up with the initial concept.

Do you often struggle with anxiety and/or depression? (if you'd prefer not to answer for whatever reason, simply answer: N/A)
I struggle with anxiety on a daily basis. It's been better though recently. I've gotten a lot better at recognizing patterns of panic and stopping them before anything gets out of hand.

Do you plan to make music your full-time career? Do you have a Plan-B in terms of a career choice? If so, what is it?
Yes. If for any reason I can't do music, I want to become a licensed therapist and do couples therapy.

Define success in the most personal and complete way possible. i.e. What is success to you?
Success is being able to comfortably live out the life you want to live. To me, success would be doing music (or whatever else I may end up falling in love with) for a living while surrounded by close friends, finding someone super duper cool and marrying them, and raising children who are able to do everything I just mentioned.

Besides music, what other artistic mediums to you enjoy working in?
None, really. Not a super visual person.

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The Big Five Aspects Scale - Connor's results:

Agreeableness: 61% (Compassion: 66%, Politeness: 52%)  

Conscientiousness: 1% (Industriousness: 1%, Orderliness: 7%)  

Extraversion: 91% (Enthusiasm: 86%, Assertiveness: 88%)  

Neuroticism: 80% (Withdrawal: 91%, Volatility: 58%)  

Openness to Experience: 91% (Intellect: 67%, Openness: 96%)  

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Enneagram Personality Assessment - Connor's Results:

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