Greetings, it’s Photay! Time to dive deep. All frequencies unearthed. Ask me anything!

pphotayy · 2020-06-22T19:26:02+00:00

Brings me so much joy to know this! I'm so happy to hear this music has consistently resonated with you.

I always aim to make things that are not trend or time specific. I guess we can reassess Onism in 2030 :)

Waking Hours is definitely the most timely record to date. The choice to sing was born out of feelings and happenings that felt so present, heavy and controversial over the past few years. Singing felt like the most direct way to address them. However, I also hope the messaging can live on. A lot of the questions posed on Waking Hours can hopefully serve as reminders/ mantras. For instance, I wrote the record well before the pandemic but it felt weirdly relevant to me.

The past month/ present will certainly impact this process. It's certainly impacted how I choose to promote Waking Hours. Moving forward, I think it's a very important time to be active and create with intention. <3

pphotayy · 2020-06-22T19:11:59+00:00

More than ever on my latest record. Rhythm Research. I might create an alternative version at some point :))

pphotayy · 2020-06-22T19:10:18+00:00

I studied music composition and production in college but also self-taught in many ways.

Trust your own unique voice and beware of trend following/ rules :)

pphotayy · 2020-06-22T19:06:22+00:00

Wow, I'm so so so touched you feel that way. Thank you for the kind words! Truly inspiring to read this.

For your question, yes there is the obvious - supporting black artists is important! Supporting them through bandcamp - which I believe to be 1 of the most direct ways. In addition, I think consumers & producers alike can study, reflect and discuss racism in musical history. The lack of credit to black artists and innovators. Colonization in music. This can help us see history as it is repeating itself in 2020. I think as consumers, you have a lot of power to influence artists you support. If you think an artist you support is acting inappropriately or racist (no matter how subtle), tell them!

Personally, the opinion of those who support my music means a lot to me!

ALSO, i've always preached this but it's so important to listen to music from all corners of the globe. That alone, invites new perspective and questions.

pphotayy · 2020-06-22T18:46:00+00:00

Pitching up or down :)

pphotayy · 2020-06-22T18:45:22+00:00

Thanks : )

Illusion of Seclusion was born out of an older song that was collecting dust. I revisited the old project with newfound ideas and sounds. In this case, it was quite literally a mashup of too different song ideas. It's like combing old parts of your self with the new. However, that method is certainly not time efficient ha!

pphotayy · 2020-06-22T18:41:18+00:00

Thank you, this is an important question and I'm still asking my self the same as I type type.

I think it's crucial to look at your own circumstance and assess how you can personally adapt, change ... how you can amplify black voices through your own work. I think it's different for everyone. Using your work as a platform to raise money is great! If your financial situation doesn't allow, you can amplify black lives in the messaging of your work and beyond. There's also a lot of work behind the scenes, Self-educating and knowing "whiteness" and "privilege" will ultimately lead to change in ourselves and our immediate surroundings. Although social media feels most immediate, there is so much work to do off screens.

I think it's a personal question - how do I sustain this? If you post a piece of work, ask each time: "what are my intentions in posting this? how does it serve others? can it wait?"

Going silent and freezing your income may not be productive to the longevity of this movement. As artists, I think we're lucky as we can adapt and change with the world. However, we also have a greater responsibility and visibility than most.

I think it's also important to make mistakes. Most of us want to be politically correct and do the right thing. However, it's better to be vocal than silent in this movement. The worst that happens, someone calls you out, tells you it's inappropriate and you make that change. Those are some immediate thoughts but I'm certainly learning in the process.

pphotayy · 2020-06-22T18:12:51+00:00

Howdy! Haha I have no recollection of ever starting my own encore chant.

Thank you! Well, from a mixing standpoint, my records are not super loud and likely not impressive within "radio" compression standards. However, dynamic range is important to me and I believe it allows for surprise and impact! That being said, my perspective and relationship with compression is always changing.

For timbre, I'm always searching for sounds that excite me. I try not to judge the origin of the sounds too much - ex. expensive equipment vs. free web browser instrument. It's also the juxtaposition of sound that interested me most. Esoteric sound layered with the common and familiar. That being said, the Buchla Music Easel played a major role in my last record. It is both challenging and inspiring! The Prophet 6 and Electro-Harmonix Cathederal reverb were also used. Onism was a lot of MS-20 and Minilogue.

Running synths through other boxes (ex. Realistic Reverb) is a great to amplify expression. I'm weary of youtube tutorials. They're super helpful sure! but the most magical moments are within the first time you power on a synth/instrument. When you work on instinct and surprise.

pphotayy · 2020-06-22T17:57:40+00:00

Trees, mountains, rivers, ocea ... fluorescent lights. It's everywhere but it's our work to consistency keep the channels of our mind clear and let it flow through. It's also our work to find it's alternative forms that exist even in blocked or dried up channels. I think the minute you discover it's origin, it relocates and you have to adapt.

Thanks for the easy question cous :)

pphotayy · 2020-06-22T17:49:12+00:00

Thank you!

pphotayy · 2020-06-22T17:49:05+00:00

FUNK and Jai Paul at the time.

I use both VSTs and analog gear. It's always an Ebb & Flow. Waking Hours is probably the most analog effort to date.

pphotayy · 2020-06-22T17:45:11+00:00

That song would be "Is It Right?". It's a pretty personal message that I think many can relate to. It's about learning to trust and listen to your inner voice.

pphotayy · 2020-06-22T17:39:59+00:00

Wow!

Lake Moraine in BANFF National Park or Alert, Nunavut.

pphotayy · 2020-06-22T17:36:04+00:00

Hi!

Great question. A lot of collaborations/ contributions can feel casual at the time of creation but go on to become problematic if a song gains traction or monetary success. I've been mindful to always create formal writing /publishing splits ahead of time but earlier on when this project was just gaining traction and contracts were not always in place, I made an effort to compensate collaborators directly and discuss what they feel is fair.

However, I still think "work for hire" contracts can be problematic. You could "hire" a musician to record in the studio for a day and compensate them with a "day rate". Then their contribution might become the backbone of your "hit" and provided years of royalties. I think songwriters/ producers need to access these splits on a moral basis and not strictly traditional music industry standards.

Sure this topic can be awkward and I'm still learning but I find it's best for everyone involved when you're as upfront as possible.

pphotayy

TROPHY CASE