Course Studied: Music Production
"Keep creating. When you’re looking for a certain outcome you become rigid, there’s no room for fun there. That’s what it comes down to, fun. Have fun with what you’re doing, just look after your ears in the process!"
What would you say are your top 3 career achievements to date?
- Creating an all new alias which focusses on experimental electronic music, inspired by my love of UK electronic music and fellow Leeds Conservatoire artists
- Playing a live set featuring all original music for the first time in Leeds
- Writing my debut album, which I've dreamed about doing ever since I started creating music back in 2013
What was your earliest musical experience?
Playing racing games such as Midnight Club L.A and Gran Turismo where I heard my first introduction to electronic music. Ever since then I've felt so curious about the process, the imagination and innocence from the creation of it.
What attracted you to studying in Leeds and what do you think of the musical community here?
Leeds has been the epicentre of the different sonic qualities I was drawn to initially with music. Compared to other cities, I always felt that ego came last and artistry came first. The electronic music community was a surprise as I delved into it deeper. Hearing Leeds Conservatoire postgraduate collective 8MANA inspired me massively in my second year of study. But even just listening to a cool indie band such as KAIROS blasting in Headrow House really altered my taste, even if I would never dare to make that music myself.
Could you briefly tell us a little bit about your career to date?
I started creating music back in 2013, inspired by Justice, Daft Punk and Porter Robinson. I had an alias called “SATISFYE” which focussed on bass heavy electronic production sensibilities. With some success with plays on BBC Radio 1 and Triple J, and releasing a single called “Elicit” which garnered plays on festival main stages back in 2017. I released an EP called “Eyes All Red” which focussed on beauty and the deconstruction of my emotions at the time which was a success on SoundCloud. But in 2018 I began experimenting with my tastes therefore creating my current alias artifactKIN. Since then, I’ve made an abundance of singles, an EP and my self-titled debut album.
How did studying for a degree at Leeds Conservatoire prepare you for your current career?
I gained a lot of insight, especially in the business of music - learning how to market myself and my music appropriately and knowing the do’s and don’ts which I often overlooked in the past. Being around a lot of different types of producers/musicians gave me a lot of confidence to go outside my comfort zone and really play with my own persona, so to speak. With all the music I’ve heard from fellow students, I’ve given myself the task to adapt that into my new library music venture. Even though it’s in early development, I’m really enjoying it!
Tell us about your most memorable experience during your time at Leeds Conservatoire?
Debuting my first full solo live set at the Crosswire Sessions. I spent 2 months preparing it, I was so nervous but as soon as I started playing I felt it was just me and my own music in perfect harmony. I felt unstoppable.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to get their 'foot in the door' in the industry you're in?
Keep creating. When you’re looking for a certain outcome you become rigid, there’s no room for fun. That’s what it comes down to - fun. Have fun with what you’re doing, just look after your ears in the process!
What's coming up next for you in terms of projects, releases or tours?
I’m writing a lot of music at the moment. It may form my second album but I’m just enjoying creating at the moment. I have lots of ideas, some of which are very ambitious but I’m hopeful they will see the light of day someday.
Who encouraged you to study music?
Not so much who but what encouraged me, which was the internet. Living and growing up on the internet, allowing me to connect to others like me gave me more of an aspiration to go further with what I love, learn more about it on a physical and personal level in a semi-local environment (although a big shout out to my family for being cool about it and my dad for getting me private piano lessons when I was 12 even though I thoroughly disliked it!).
