Your work The Mild West has a lovely bedroom sound. What is the story behind it?
This EP is the merging of botanicals, outer space, and dream states in a faraway universe known as The Mild West. Here, cowboys of all genders flock to the saloons to drink herbal tea and play with tiny synthesizers. These songs represent my experiences in this universe so far: melancholy experiences set to gentle synthesizer and harp soundtracks.
Which song of the EP (if any) represents you the most?
“Looking Down At The Earth” merges together several genre influences and unique forms of instrumentation. This mashup of weird little synths and angelic harp is a pretty accurate representation of my personality. I could be embracing peace, but I cover it up with chaos!
What do you enjoy most? Writing music or performing your music live?
This cowboy is a cowboy only viewed through the comfort of a screen and headphones. You won’t find me onstage, you’ll find me hiding in your herb garden and writing a love song to the worms.
Is Spotify the music industry’s new Gatekeepers?
Spotify certainly defines an artist’s success, whether the rest of us creators like it or not. Getting on staff-curated playlists has become the ultimate bit of success. Those on these elite playlists become part of a feedback loop where only those who have been on playlists get on more playlists… et cetera. It’s very hard to break through!
When not writing music, how do you spend your time?
I’m an audio engineer! I’m constantly working on recording and mixing other people’s music, as well as producing their work and recording instruments on their tracks.
One last thing we should know about you?
I love hearing from anyone who listens to my music! If you’re reading this, show me your art, show me your pet, send me a meme!
Computed Emotions’ instrumental sounds very original indeed. Tell us a few things about your creative process. How many beats do you listen to before deciding to actually use one?
When it comes to picking beats I go by vibes. I have to love the beat as soon as I hear it that’s when I know that the song will be great. I usually just look up some beats and if I love it I use that one right then in there.
Where did you draw inspiration from?
From my every day life. I try to talk about what I’m dealing with at that moment in my music. That way it feels more authentic and that’s just my way of being honest.
What is the story behind your name?
To make a long story short I used to go by Goyard Marley I changed it to G.Pari$ because it just easier to say. it’s also very similar to my original. I just took the G from Goyard and changed the Marley to Pari$.
Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?
As for people that inspired me it would be my little brother first of all he really pushes me to become a better artist. Overall I just have a very supportive family and I’m blessed to have them. As for artists Kanye, Tyler the creator, Kendrick Lamar, J.Cole
Trap music came to rule the world, but at the moment the genre feels stagnant. What does the future hold for hip hop in general?
I feel like it’s just getting started. Things are going to change and fast. if you look around now a lot of the music scenes have changed over the past couple years and it’s only gonna grow. You may feel stagnant now but soon there’s going to be a big change.
When not writing music, how do you spend your time?
Working man. when I’m not making music I’m working. I work 12 hour shifts at a behavioral health center. so whenever I get a chance to create I take that chance. Most of my day is me working on something whether it’s music or at work
What would you say is your biggest vice?
I would say getting out of my head. I’m in my head a lot I’m learning how to deal with it and not second-guess myself. I’m growing to trust my intuition.
In your latest single we can hear a piano centric instrumental uppon a downtempo rnb beat mixed with melodic vocals. Tell us a few things about it.
Yes, this song is produced by Oli of Temper Beats from the UK. This sound actually inspired my singing in the song. Its hypnotic and sensual yet mysterious and a little spooky.
What is your creative process like?
I usually record my music at 3AM when the world is a little less noisy and calmer. It helps with me accessing that part of the creative celestial wireless. I write my songs using a voice recorder on my phone then I write it out on a notepad and tweak it.
What first got you into music?
I used to write poetry for my classmates in elementary school. One day, a schoolmate asked if I would be interesting in writing a song for him to perform. He never performed it but it inspired me to start writing and performing.
Do you have an artist that you would describe as a hidden gem that we should know about?
There is a french artist called Flex. I really like his sound and his bravery.
Is Spotify the music industry’s new Gatekeepers?
Spotify is good for what its worth but I think they need to get better with paying artists their fair due. You could have a song with over 10k streams and get less than $2 for it. I still prefer selling physical copies.
Favorite film ever?
This is a very tough question to answer. I love movies. I am a cinemaphile. I really loved that new Batman movie but I am also a fan of The Room by Tommy Weiseau. I cannot just select one movie…
One last thing we should know about you?
Music is like therapy for me, I wish to make my music therapeutic for you and the listeners as well. I hope you will join me on this journey of sound. Follow me on Twitter @SigmaSXM
Tell us a few things about your new song Games. What is the main idea behind it?
« Games » is a recollection of cocaine-filled parties, full of hope of a bright future.
Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?
As an artist, I’m deeply influenced by Jim Morrison and the Weeknd. But musically, my influences range from electronic acts such as Crystal Castles and The Prodigy, rap acts like Travis Scott and Lil Peep to rock acts such as Oasis, Metallica, Motorhead, The Stooges, The Rolling Stones and many others…
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
It depends on the song. “Games”, for instance is an uplifting party song.
Tell us a few things about your new album What The Hell Is This. What is the main idea behind it?
I created a question for the audience, What the hell am I listening to? I wanted it to be a rollercoaster ride that makes you say to yourself, What did I experience, I kinda wanna do that again because I think I liked it!
Which is your most personal and honest lyric?
I Working all night for that beach front house I need a Large amount I’m Broke
There’s too many personal and honest lyrics to count!
Do you think there is a true underground hip hop sound today?
Yes because the barrier to entry for all entertainment businesses has been lowered due to ease and low cost of equipment. So the Underground sound gets confused for mainstream but it’s still “Underground”. Check out my channel Paradise.Mobile on Youtube. It’s the MTV Jams of Philly.
What does hip hop symbolize in your opinion?
Freedom and expression. The ability to create your own but also the ability to turn you as an individual into a true business. I like to look at my music career as a business I plan on taking to Shark Tank. I feel like hip hop/rap has put a magnifying glass on the business side of the music industry due to hip hop being so translucent. If you study Hip Hop you can see that it’s been able to take people from the basement to the mainstage, but also allowed them to retain that foothold in entertainment acquired by forcing all artists to either learn the business themselves or choose another profession.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Do It Now, Like Right now, stop being scared, it’ll get better, and easier!
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
Well when you’re an african american male and you graduate from a suburban highschool with Straight F’s, but you look like a nerd, no one even cares to monitor you. You tend to get written off. So whatever I did I got away with.
‘Let me know’ blends future bass elements with some trap infused sounds and a pop sensibility. Tell us a few things about it. What is the main idea behind it?
The song tells the story of my frustration when dating someone who wouldn’t make their feelings clear. The lyrics are a bit tongue-in-cheek but it’s an exact description of the situation from my viewpoint!
Sound wise though, I didn’t write the song with a particular idea in mind. I work with my producer (Daniel Bohen) to decide what suits each song and portrays the emotions and mood best. We work in this way drawing together different unique elements and that’s what I love doing the most in my music rather than being confined to a particular subgenre.
What first got you into music?
I started playing instruments as a young child, which gave me a solid foundation to be able to write music and sing. With my interest in pop music, I can’t really pinpoint that to a certain thing: while growing up, I was just surrounded by it in the world around me, intertwined with pop culture, fashion and media in general. I’ve always loved pop music as a genre that’s so accesible to easily enjoy and have fun with but it also can have really deep layers and be a world of stories and emotion to escape to.
Main influences?
I don’t have conscious influences as I just write what I feel at the time. But the main music I listened to was Top 40 (primarily major female pop solo artists, 00s pop bands) and EDM so I guess those would have some influence on my writing.
What would be your dream performance venue?
Glastonbury Festival
Favorite film ever?
The Matrix
What is one message you would give to your fans?
Thank you so much for supporting me on this journey! I appreciate it every time someone takes the time to listen to my music and I hope you will keep enjoying my songs. If you like Let Me Know, be sure to check out my new single Games which was released last week – it’s a hyperpop inspired track with some cool chiptune sounds! I also just filmed the music video which is a super exciting project so keep an eye out for it!
Similar Feeling has a very nice nostalgic vibe. What is the main idea behind it?
This song is the result of a collaborative co-writing session with my good friend and New Zealand producer/songwriter Joel Jones. It’s a journey that dwells on the idea that we sometimes never truly move on, we just search for the comfort of a similar feeling in someone else.
Which is your most personal and honest lyric?
In this single, I honestly find the most personal lyric to be in the line “I found a similar feeling, in someone else”. It’s such a simple lyric but so unspokenly relatable. Not everyone fully moves on from someone they loved – life does go on and we do “move on” but more often than not, that love never really leaves, we just eventually find ourselves finding something similar in a new companion. I don’t know, I just think that line is so beautifully simple. Probably why we made it the name of the song.
Favourite album of the past year?
I’ve been super obsessed with Ryan Beatty’s album “Boy In Jeans” and also unbelievably clutching The Weeknd’s “Dawn FM” so would be between those two.
What would you change in the music industry?
One thing that has always baffled me and I’m not really sure how I or anyone could change, is that to be a musician/artist almost always requires you having another one or two sources of income to afford it alone. Like when you think of it, people become teachers, nurses, business workers etc which is their sole occupation/income, but to be a musician, it’s so rare to have just that as your main job. I don’t know, to me I’ve always hated that because it truly does suck a lot of the craft out of a musician to juggle more than one job just to survive. Not sure how I could change that, it’s just more of a rant I guess haha.
Which book should we read while listening to your music?
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
What is one message you would give to your fans?
Thank you for letting me into your lives through music – even if you only listen to one of my songs. I know how important music and my go-to artists to listen to are to me, so I strive to be that for someone. Keep streaming my music & keep spreading love.
Facelift has a very nice melodic flow uppon a classic trap beat. Tell us a few things about it.
It’s a collaboration between me and my good friend Jaheem, featuring the always talented Jay Coast. Jaheem and I are on production while Jay lays down his dreamy vocals. It’s an ode 4/20; one of our favorite unofficial holidays. Not just is it a celebration of a holiday, but a testament to our work, how far we’ve come and how far we will continue to go. This is also our first collaboration with Jay, and the videographer Blunt Lung.
Which is your most personal and honest lyric?
Honestly the amalgamation of all the lyrics are my favorite. No one bar can do justice to the joy the entire song brings.
Do you think there is a true underground hip hop sound today?
In all honesty no. There are too many sounds circulating through the hip hop stratosphere to solidify on one underground sound.
What does hip hop symbolize in your opinion?
Every emotion that can be brought out of you. Hip Hop is my beating heart. The reason I’m still alive. Hip Hop isn’t a symbol but apart of reality; of life.
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
“Only the best performers get nervous.”
One last thing we should know about you?
I’m working on a lot of music right now.. soon I will be flooding the world with my name. I can’t wait to show you.
Is it an extra challenge to promote instrumental music?
I think that promoting instrumental music is starting to become less of a challenge thanks to the internet and streaming services. Back then, it would really be a challenge to promote instrumental Hip Hop music because Hip Hop has always been associated with rap. I don’t think I can remember any Hip Hop producer that has acquired fame from their instrumental pieces unless they were J Dilla or Madlib. Nowadays with streaming services becoming more available, it opens the floodgates for upcoming producers like myself to get our songs played on different streaming services. Lo-Fi Hip Hop is the perfect subgenre to listen to for simple tasks like working a desk job, doing chores, or just relaxing. Since these tasks happen almost every day, it increases the likelihood of someone playing a lo-fi track while they are doing these activities. A friend of mine told me that he always plays my music whenever he’s working because it helps with his concentration because the songs are instrumental, and he doesn’t have to be distracted by the lyrics.
What is your favorite (analog or digital) synth?
The Roland FA-08 synthesizer workstation is my favorite analog synth because it is my primary tool of creating music. It has 2,000 sounds installed and many more when I connect it to my laptop as a MIDI controller. It also has a list of other cool features like sampling pads, a solo synth that acts like a theremin and an arpeggio and chord option that leads you create your own ideas.
Favourite album of the past year?
Djesse Vol. 3 by Jacob Collier was my favorite album this past year. I admire Jacob Collier as a musician because he is innovating as a jazz artist. He finds a way to make Jazz listenable to the mainstream audience by collaborating with rappers and other artist who don’t have a similar background as him. Despite that, they blend really well to his music, and I think it might create more possibilities for Hip Hop/Jazz fusion in the future.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an artist so far?
My biggest challenge as an artist has been promoting my music. Right now, as I answer this question, I grew up to 1000 followers on Spotify. Before that, it wasn’t easy because I was a new artist and I had little experience on how to promote music. After I’ve uploaded my first album “My Quiet Room”, they only advice I was given was to submit my music to different curators. While I was submitting my music, I’ve also learned the other challenge I had as a new Lo-Fi artist was that I had little experience with the subgenre. I guess that is why not many curators accepted my album because I would get lots of feedbacks stating that the tracks were too long, the mix was below average, and the music didn’t exactly sound like Lo-Fi. Although it didn’t affect my goals, it did make me consider if I should continue producing. Rather than calling it quits, I took a curator’s advice and found different ways to make my music sound better as I continue to grow as an artist. It paid off because after the release of my second album, I’ve been receiving a lot more attention which increased my followers.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Always hold on to Jesus and persevere no matter what. You won’t see success when you first put your mind into your passions but overtime you will learn how to improve and then you will get better and better. As that happens, a lot of people will notice and will reach out to you to help you along your journey. As they do, you will help them out in return and inspire others along the way.
One last thing we should know about you?
I offer my talents voluntary at my local church. I always love to provide assistance in music whenever I can.
In the end, is it easy to recognize the patterns and change for the better?Tell us a few things about Patterns and the main idea behind it.
It’s never easy when it comes to self reflection. It takes a lot of discipline. When I created patterns I was at a time where I felt that I needed to make a change in my life. I began to notice the loop that I was in and the patterns that I stuck with out of comfort. So I decided to make a change and love myself more. There are so many issues that I’m still dealing with but I learned to take it one step at a time.
Which is your most personal and honest lyric?
Definitely from patterns it was “I’m always stressing thinkin bout life and sh*t my job don’t work for me I think it’s time to quit.”
Favourite rapper, lyricist and producer?
I have so many but my top three in no order would be Kendrick Lamar, Kanye, and Tyler, The Creator
What does hip hop symbolize in your opinion?
Symbolizes the art of expression. Some people see it differently I look at it as an art form and people just expressing their lives. There’s so many artists that are putting these bodies of work out. Most People don’t understand that as an artist to put a song out is probably one of the most vulnerable things that we can do because that song is a piece of us that were showing the world.
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
When they need a little bit of motivation and just knowing that there’s someone else out there that understands how they feel when it comes to certain issues or situations. Maybe the listener is needing that extra reassurance about life. That’s where my music comes in.
One last thing we should know about you?
i’m someone who loves learning and creating. i’m not a big fan of school. Not saying that school isn’t beneficial for others it’s just not for me. what I mean by learning is learning new skills whether it’s learning how to mix & master music, graphic design, or even learning color palettes.
HipHop Paranoia 