Please tell our readers who you are and what you do?
Hello, my name is Noah. I am a 16 year old kid who likes to make EDM (electronic dance music) under the alias of "The Brazen Nerds." (If you want to listen to some of my tracks, there will be a link to my SoundCloud profile). I produce mostly dubstep, but I also make future bass, hybrid trap, and more EDM genres. I am based in a small town in Georgia (United States of America). I love music so much, it has become my life – I play many instruments (tuba, euphonium, trombone, piano, bass, guitar, etc.), play in many bands, and so much more. This isn't a hobby for me, this is my passion.
How would you describe your influences and how have they changed over the years? Do you feel that changing tastes over years as artistic growth? ?
My influences on my music and my life are mainly Hans Zimmer, Virtual Riot, the Pegboard Nerds, and my friends/all the other artists out there. Although, they have changed some over time, my influences tend to stay somewhat neutral… they are the kinds of people that encourage me to become better than I already am. My favorite piece of advice I could give anyone is a quote of Hans Zimmer's, "The seconds of your life are ticking away. If someone tells you there's a rule, break it. That's the only thing that moves things forward."
Did I change my taste over time? Of course! In the beginning, I started listening to rock music. I loved it, but at some point I started hearing over the radio how the rock industry started to gain less attention, and the dance industry became more and more popular… at this point, being a stubborn kid, I hated dance music (I didn't want to hop upon some bandwagon that would desert my choice in music). It wasn't until about 2012 (my fifth grade year) that my friend, who loved EDM, showed me an artist ("Pegboard Nerds") on a label I'd never heard of ("Monstercat"), and it just hit me… THIS is what was missing in my life… EDM. From then on, I was listening to the Pegboard Nerds, and then I found their dubstep tracks (I believe "Here It Comes" was the song that started my passion for dubstep). It was just like rock music… it was heavy, with aggressive basslines and a catchy melody/drum beat… I had finally found the music that would fill my void of EDM and rock – dubstep. Years down the line, I heard of DnB, trap (not my favorite genre), and so many more genres that have lead me here, writing my first interview. There are no words to describe how I am feeling, thank you guys for just reading this! Anyways, back to the interview.
I discover new music via a new addition added to SoundCloud called "The Upload." I love it, and use it to hear other music and artists I wouldn't have found on my own. Besides that, I watch livestreams, some of my favorites being FliteDnB, Xilent, Wubbix, and Virtual Riot. The first three (FliteDnB, Xilent, and Wubbix) do feedback streams where people send in their music to be reviewed and critiqued. Not only does that give you an idea of what to work on, but it also showcases other artists. I recommend you to try it out if you don't already.
What´s new right now?
I currently am in production for my new EP entitled "The Kill." I have also worked on a few remixes and live sets, but I have started to make unreleased tracks, or tracks I don't really plan on releasing (just to play at live sets, etc.). If you want to stay up to date, follow me on Instagram (@brazennerds), Twitter (@brazennerds), and SoundCloud (@brazennerds).
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What was the biggest mistake you made when you started making music and what would be the number one tip you could give to a newcomer musician?
Being dumb and making excuses. DON'T. DO IT. Don't make excuses for a track not sounding good, tell the truth. It's not because I couldn't find the right samples or make it loud enough/boost the right frequencies that the track sounds like garbage, it's because i had no idea what I was doing. In the beginning, I didn't even know what a subbass was… sends shivers down my spine. In other words do ALOT of research. "I watched all SeamlessR's/EEK's/(insert artist name here)'s tutorials, I am going to sound like the next Skrillex. I'm going to become the king of EDM." Sorry, but you probably won't (that's the right spirit though). Even I… even the pro's still are learning. Just watching one YouTuber won't make you the best… time/experience will.
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How do you get gigs? Can you share any tips?
Ask. It's actually fairly simply… that is, if you know what your doing. I'm not the best DJ in the world… hell, you won't be seeing me on stage in Coachella anytime soon, but I will still practice on honing in on my skills. How do you REALLY get gigs? Practice. Get known. Make connections. Meet people. Or just ask…
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What has been your biggest challenge right now? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
My biggest challenge right now has been getting over musician's block. I know how to beat it, but it's just that nothing sounds new, it just sounds like my idea has already been made. How do I get over that block? Well, simply listen to other music… not necessarily in EDM. Being in band, I listen to classical/orchestral, jazz, and other music along with classics like Chicago. This gives me new ideas. Another way to beat it is by doing as follows; when you have an idea (for example) in your head, go to your phone, or some device to record yourself, record it, write it down, put it in your DAW, whatever. It may be the the most cringe worthy thing on Earth, but at least you can come back to that idea instead of having the risk of losing it.
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How do you promote yourself? Do you have any specific promotion tips for other musicians?
I use social media. Social media is at an all-time high, so why not take advantage of it? Tips for promotion? Just as I said in the "How do you get gigs?" section, make connections. One thing alot of artists should do is really connect/stay connected to the fans. For example, if you tweet at me/comment on a track, I'll try to reply, because I know that feeling of how great it feels to know that your voice can be heard… so why not do this for everything you do? Why not use this to promote yourself?
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We meet again in one year. What has changed?
I hope to have atleast met some of my goals. To have a passion, you need goals for it… BIG ONES. Like getting into Disciple/Mostercat/other labels,or being in the "Top 100's" on SoundCloud. Something BIG. If it's not big, then there's not really a goal. If it IS big, then you will change yourself for the better trying to get there.
I would like to thank Traxx24 for interviewing me, and thanks to everyone who has been along for the ride!
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https://soundcloud.com/brazen-nerds
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Enter your questions to the artist in the facebook comment section below.
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