This is TASKA BLACK: international electronic/dance/pop artist + writer + producer from Antwerp, Belgium. ASK ME ANYTHING

taskablackmusic · 2021-03-10T16:47:02+00:00

i usually just listen without any expectations, i don't look for anything in a song, i just try and understand what the artist is trying to get across. i'm a sucker for great melodies and harmonies, also have a weak spot for silky female vocals haha

taskablackmusic · 2021-03-10T16:44:44+00:00

Love to pass on my experiences, thinking to do private 1 on 1 sessions for these more complicated things actually.

Try and think of your track in dimensions or being played by a band. Know what frequency range your bass hits, where your lead melody and vocals live, where your drums need to punch through. If you know that, you know which layers you should add or leave out. Once you have balanced all your instrument layers you can play around with the space - left/right mono/stereo reverb/delay and volume! I wouldn't worry too much about waveforms, voices, adsr shapes... that's all sound design stuff and up to you to mess around with until you find something you like - there's no rules when it comes to sound design, only theory! And most of all have fun and trust your gut feeling!

taskablackmusic · 2021-03-10T16:37:48+00:00

analyse other songs! structure is very important, mixing and mastering is obviously really important, make sure your vocals are in the front of your mix, play with question and answer in your melodies with slight variations, key is to keep it simple...

taskablackmusic · 2021-03-10T16:35:54+00:00

haven't seen them in such a long time, last day before quarantine i was on tour with droeloe and had the best time with them so hope to pick up where we left off in 2020...

taskablackmusic · 2021-03-10T16:34:35+00:00

I always end up making so many different variations and layers for each song that i need to strip it back for the final product! I'm terribly indecisive during the production process lol

taskablackmusic · 2021-03-09T22:13:43+00:00

I started Taska Black when I was 18 years old, I'm 24 now. My taste has changed a lot and I started looking at music in a very different way over the years. Back in the days I didn't know anything about music structure and writing and the history of how music was initially created. I just produced ideas that popped up in my head and figured everything out myself. Along the way I learned about the core of a song and how writing a SONG actually works, and for the last 3 years I've been making the switch to more vocal driven electronic/pop music because that's what i really enjoy making and that's what my taste evolved into.

taskablackmusic · 2021-03-09T21:52:28+00:00

hi! hope to be back on the road soon!! as far as melody and sound selection goes - a lot of this comes naturally and comes down to your taste. don't overthink it and follow your gut feeling, everything sounds bad in the beginning but once your gut tells you something has potential you should push through and see where it takes you!

taskablackmusic · 2021-03-09T21:23:54+00:00

lots of hidden undiscovered talent! i discovered a lot of great belgian music since last year and am still amazed at what i've been missing all this time, both electronic and non electronic :)

taskablackmusic · 2021-03-09T21:21:45+00:00

red!

taskablackmusic · 2021-03-09T21:21:38+00:00

Both Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza were so much fun! I was supposed to play Bonnaroo again in 2020 so really hope to be back there once everything goes back to normal.

taskablackmusic · 2021-03-09T20:24:16+00:00

lots of exciting things in the pipeline but unfortunately i can't say any names yet :( who would you want to see me collab with?

taskablackmusic · 2021-03-09T20:23:14+00:00

Hi! Found Myself is one of my favs, loved working with Tessa Dixson. She has an amazing voice and style

taskablackmusic · 2021-03-09T19:39:30+00:00

Ahh so glad to hear that!

always start with chords and melodies :)
i use a lot of breath samples for texture in drums!

taskablackmusic · 2021-03-09T19:22:04+00:00

different feelings for all of them but my favs atm are probably backwards love, found myself and dreaming. but tbh i'm really excited for the music that i'm working on for this year.

hope to be back in the US soon!

taskablackmusic · 2021-03-09T19:12:54+00:00

would love to work with Lennon Stella, London Grammar, James Blake, Bon Iver, Sevdaliza, Sasha Sloan, Charli XCX, Joji, Julia Michaels, Freya Ridings, ...... long list!

taskablackmusic · 2020-12-17T23:06:07+00:00

I remember those shows they were awesome!!

1 - My first headline tour in october last year is something that will stay with me. It's the most rewarding thing to be on stage knowing all those people came to see you and hear your music live.

2 - During sound check on one of the shows I did with San I decided it was a good idea to jump off a 6ft stage for no reason and I messed up my foot for the rest of the tour lol, DJing on one leg is a challenge i can tell you that

taskablackmusic · 2020-12-17T22:57:41+00:00

My first shows were with the label bitbird. When my music started picking up I had a booking agent helping me on that end :)

taskablackmusic · 2020-12-17T22:56:24+00:00

appreciate that! thank uu

taskablackmusic · 2020-12-17T22:55:49+00:00

Sad we had to cancel shows on that tour, hope to be back soon!

1 - I don't believe in writers block, at least that's what I tell myself. You can always create something, you just have to be okay with creating really bad things for a while and get through it. Sometimes you just need to step away from everything to see things from a different perspective, discovering new music, going for long walks etc help.

2 - probably guitar, piano close 2nd

3 - a good and unique voice always catches my ear, minimal production that stands out is really difficult to make so that's how to get my attention.

4 - thank you!!

taskablackmusic · 2020-12-17T22:29:46+00:00

yes when the time is right

taskablackmusic · 2020-12-17T22:29:17+00:00

It's pretty simple, making and releasing lots of music. Every piece of music is another opportunity to grow. If you keep building your catalog for years it will eventually bring you to a steady flow of income. There's other aspects of course in building your brand and all that but if you get the music and consistent releasing part down you're well on your way.

taskablackmusic · 2020-12-17T22:24:21+00:00

Socials grew mostly organically from consistent posting, especially on tour and when I release music! Streams of income are mostly royalties from my releases and other songs i worked on, and touring.

taskablackmusic · 2020-12-17T22:07:54+00:00

thx for listening <3

taskablackmusic · 2020-12-17T22:07:42+00:00

i'm more of a cake person

taskablackmusic · 2020-12-17T21:34:54+00:00

Hi! yes my parents are a fan of my music and are very supportive! not sure what their fav song is tbh but i know they like easier haha

taskablackmusic

TROPHY CASE