Read the APL Interview below and share it on social media.
Please tell our readers who you are and what you do?
Hi,I am APL stylized A??? i am a 20 year old Electronic Music Producer from Johannesburg South Africa i have been working on music for about nearly a decade now i started at a very young age at 11-12 years old i fell in love with trance music which was quite popular at the time i got a copy of FL Studio and started making random stuff it has been a long journey ever since then i started producing daily i wanna say 3-4 years ago .I would describe my music as Melodic at times but also very dark i produce Techno-like stuff and Melodic Down-Tempo electronic music too i have experimented with trance and Psychedelic Trance too i have a large vault of produced stuff but only have one track on Soundcloud because i do not think those tracks are worth releasing until redone.As for me I am a Jozi boy grew up in Johannesburg to say what it is like to grow up in South Africa well it is interesting to say the least it is a rough place but a place filled with beauty and rich with culture and most importantly it is the place i call home ?
How would you describe your influences and how have they changed over the years?
I first got into Electronic Music/Dance Music when i was 11-12 and back then euphoric trance was all the rage i listened to Armin Van Buuren, Tiesto, Paul Van Dyk but i also was inspired by the likes of Deadmau5 and Daft Punk those where the sounds that dominated my childhood and i would say yes my taste has changed over time i now am heavily inspired by REZZ and Eeekoo are the main ones i am listening to now that being said my music tastes are diverse i love everything from Indie acts such as Tycho and Glass Animals and even some local acts in South Africa i love Chunda Munki,Kyle Watson and other artists in that vein of Bass House music but mainly because i love to go clubbing at Truth Nightclub
What´s new right now?
Yeah i totally do i got some new releases coming up starting with my new single Down The Rabbit Hole which is a mix between sinister Techno and Melodic Progressive House some hypnotizing and trippy stuff is upcoming . I am also working on a remix of Deadmau5's Let Go which shall be released a month or so after Down The Rabbit Hole but it might take a couple of months.if any of you guys wanna hear an example of my work i recommend heading to https://soundcloud.com/aplmusic/bad-space-monkey-you-apl-remix
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Are you a superfan of anyone? How did you become a superfan? Do you remember how you become a fan and what turned you into super fan? Have you ever thought about why you´re such a fan?
Well i do not really like to admit who i am a superfan off i mean super fan's i am gonna be honest are kinda annoying people that being said if you where to put a gun to my head and make me pick one ehhh well it would be a tough one i would have to go with REZZ.Because she really embodies her music you get the sense that when you watch her shows your seeing an extension of her a side of her that she want's to show the world that really inspires me
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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?
I think my biggest mistake was throwing my weight in to early on certain things. I think if your just starting out do not release anything yet just keep it to yourself after a year or two and believe me you will know when it is time start pushing with an already polished style.That is not to mean not get feedback i think you need to get in touch with other artists online in the real world anywhere really and show them your stuff and get feedback on it but do not try and promote music that sucks you will not really get anywhere try get a good sound before you go showing the world and demanding people sign you to there labels and have you play at there shows.Think of it this way if your a baker and your tryna figure out the recipe for a cake you experiment with different ingredian
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How do you get gigs? Can you share any tips?
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Do you have good promotion tips for other musicians?
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Do you have insights on how to grow your audience on soundcloud that you want to share with our audience?
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What has been your biggest challenge right now? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
Not getting distracted i think i mean in life there are so many distractions friends, enemies, video games etc…. you need to be focused and have a goal that is what i think is the most important aspect of being an artist i mean nobody really helps you especially not in this industry you do not get benefits and your work hours are from 8 am to 1 am the next morning sometimes so you got to have a plan a goal and focus always keep on top of everything even when it becomes hard and do not for a second give-up because if you do all that effort was for naught
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How do you personally discover new music?
Through Youtube mostly I just search artists that I like and I find more artists through the recommended also dig through SoundCloud
Occasionally i will meet really good producers that turn me onto stuff they have made or others have made i also go clubbing and raving and hear a lot of good tracks out on the dance-floor ?
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Once you discovered new music, do you tell others about the new music/artist you discovered? If yes, how exactly?
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What is your number one tip to improve your music production or songwriting skills?
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What is your best tip for those who struggle with finishing their tracks?
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We meet again in one year. What has changed?
Yeah well first thing's first RELEASES for days i am hopefully gonna sign to a label(s) with a few releases aswell as have a plan to move towards live gigs although that is still in the works the next few months are gonna be awesome for me if all goes to plan everyone has setbacks every now and then so but if i can get 60% of what i want accomplished throughout the year accomplished i will be happy always shoot high but expect to land low
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http://www.soundcloud.com/aplmusic
http://www.twitter.com/AlexTay66859782
http://www.fiverr.com/aplmusic
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Enter your questions to the artist in the facebook comment section below.
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