In recent years, the music industry has substantially shifted to make room for an influx of independent artists. This growing platform for original music has inspired many to produce and share their own talents. Meet some dawgs who took the leap, and learn about what it’s like to establish yourself in the world of music.
Junior Jack Ferguson sings and plays the guitar for the band Princess Pulpit which he and a few childhood friends established around 4 years ago. Since its formation, the band has worked hard to establish themselves. “We started off playing whatever, like a birthday party, and then it became what it is today,” Ferguson said. Last June, Princess Pulpit released their first single, ‘Queen Save Me’, and have since released their self-titled album. The band went to Killroom Studios and, “spent, off and on, about a week and a half recording and editing the album,” Ferguson said. Although studio recording has its perks, Ferguson warns anyone interested that, “with recording, and going to a studio, the biggest thing is money and time. It’s expensive. We went into it somewhat blind and unless you are [producing] at home you don’t really have time to mess around.”
The band has just started to build their discography and, “for future stuff, we’re planning to record ourselves,” Ferguson said. If you are in search of a new grunge punk band, check out Princess Pulpit anywhere you listen to music. To find out more about upcoming shows follow @princesspulpitband on Instagram.
Senior Maceo Parker has been independently producing and releasing his own music under the artist name ‘sir mace’ since March 2022. He plays a variety of instruments such as the trumpet, bass, guitar, and drums that he layers to carefully mimic the sound of a full band. Parker has always found himself surrounded by music. “My dad collected vinyl so we always have vinyl playing in the house,” Parker said. He also shared that his brother taught him to play the guitar. This influence inspired Parker to utilize the outlet himself. “It’s really fun to make your own music, it’s kind of like drawing but with sound,” Parker said. He describes his current sound as an artist as, “calm and storytelling,” and would say it fits into the indie rock genre. ‘Sir mace’ released a new song on September 29th, titled ‘cloud’ that you can find anywhere you listen to music.
Another student creator, senior KeyShawn Williams-Gibson uses FL Studio to create relaxing beats out of his own bedroom. When asked to describe the genre of music he produces he said, “[it has] to be something I’ve derived sitting at my computer for 12 hours straight and just seeing what happens, and Lo-fi.” He shared that the focus-inducing qualities of the Lo-fi genre hooked and inspired him. “You can always make music by yourself, but when you’re incorporating others into it, it brings new life to a project,” Williams-Gibson said. That’s why his music incorporates lots of sampling. Currently, Williams-Gibson shares his work to YouTube on the channel @iipurplegaming.
Looking to release your original work? Here are some words of encouragement from your fellow dawgs. “Start at home. Write, write, write. Don’t stop writing. Record on GarageBand, it doesn’t matter how low quality it is, but do what you can with what you have first,” Jack Ferguson said. Finally, Maceo Parker leaves you with this, “Don’t try to follow rules, and just make what you think sounds good.”