Check out and share our Hanz Nobe Interview. This interview is part of our new Producer & Engineer Q&A Series. In this interview series we feature exciting producers, mixing and mastering engineers from all walks of life. As always: Share & Support!
Please introduce yourself real quick. Tell our audience about your background and how you go into doing what you´re doing right now.
I’m a music producer and song writer originally from Houston, TX. I got into music production after coming off tour with a Neo-Funk band called The Soul Tree Collective as a rapper. At the very end of our tour I took my last $200 and bought Logic Pro 9 and from there got deeply into the art of making music.
Please tell our audience what projects have you been working on in the last years?
I produced a kid out of Detroit named Rich F.A. single, “Back Against the Wall.” I did a partnership with an artist named Jay-Von for his LP called “F*ck a Title on the Way” where he used beats from my beat tape that I was promoting to also promote his upcoming album. That one was fun!
I’ve also produced tracks for Rudeboy Bambino, OG Che$$, Keisha Martin, and MC Lyro. I’ve also created the intro tracks for All Def Digital’s newest act Will Pharaoh’s show Brunch Blunt.
I’ve released a few instrumental albums where I’ve collabed with a DJ/Graphic Artist from San Diego, California named T-Willa. He designed and developed the creative direction for Social Light 1 and 2. We simply wanted to give people music they would listen to while they were at work or on social media (hence the name).
What are you currently working on? Do you accept clients and and what kind of projects/work fits your profile?
The biggest one right now is for VP/Atlantic Records’ newest artist Trigga Don. We’ve been hard at work in the studio for the past year really putting together music that’s going to be around for next 10 to 20 years. With that being the goal it’s caused me and my co-producer, Eddie Deuce, to really stretch ourselves musically. I’ve taken up music theory and learned how to craft a record. I’ve learned pro tools 10 and 12 and even created my own templates. I’ve learned how to keep the energy high in a recording session and work with musicians.
This project has really pushed me creatively and out of the “beatmaker” mentality and more into the producer/song writer lane.
Yeah I’m always looking to work with artists. The difference now is that they have to be willing to be produced. Meaning I’m not just sending them a beat and find out months later the record is some filler track that no one remembers.
I’m slowly getting into that lane where I’m having more fun developing and producing an artist rather than just sending beats out.
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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?
You know for me to be a superfan I have to have been invested in your success by being there when no one really knew who you were. That’s why I would, if I had to call myself a superfan of anyone, it would have to be Nipsey Hussle.
Listen, when I first downloaded “Bullets Ain’t Got No Name” off Defsounds.com which doesn’t even exist anymore and I heard what he was spittin’ about. Smh. I was all in! That was 2008 and I remember because I used to work at this call center and I remember telling people in the break room that he was going to be a superstar. To see him now and where his brand is is almost like I’m a part of his team. He’s one of the few artists I genuinely just want to see succeed. Even if we never work together I just want to see him win.
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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?
The biggest mistake I made when I started was not asking enough questions. That’s literally been the difference between me this year and last year. This year I asked a lot more questions so I broke through my plateaus a lot faster.
Have fun with it before you start telling the world what you’re going to do and how big your career is going to be. This is where the mood gets a somber so bare with me.
When I started my career, meaning I knew for a fact this is what I wanted to do, I started with a lot of very talented people. I’m talking just ungodly talent that was almost daunting to watch. As time progressed those people stopped walking on the trail. I would always ask myself, if they’re frustrations made them stop and they are way more talented than me what shot do I have in this industry? The answer, my love and determination.
I say all that to say, make sure this is something you truly enjoy before you start your quest for world domination
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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?
My biggest challenge in my mind is trying to discover what it is that I don’t know that I don’t know. In music production there’s so much information out there in how to make a beat, but there’s not a lot in how to produce an artist. So I’m in this weird part of my career where I know there’s a lot I need to learn but I’m also so far away from where I was a year ago. 2017 Hanz would definitely kick 2016 Hanz’s ass. Facts!
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How do you personally discover new music?
SoundCloud and blogs, those have been my go to’s since me and a college roommate discovered Wiz Khalifa before even dropped Kush & OJ. One of my favorites being DayandaDream.com
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Once you discovered new music, do you tell others about the new music/artist you discovered? If yes, how exactly?
“Yes and no. The reason being is that, now, most people have already discovered them. Like now everyone is talking about Tee Grizzley and I thought I discovered him and Payroll Giovanni first. So, yeah sometimes I’m a bit late to the party.
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What is your number one tip to improve your music production or songwriting skills?
Stop putting yourself in a box. When Trigga Don approached me to co-produce his reggae album I told him I don’t know how to make reggae. I sent him some beats, he came back, and performed his reggae songs over my beats. He told me that I was already making reggae music, its just that no one around me told me because I wasn’t around anyone who was making what reggae sounds like today.
There are no rules, you’re way more capable than you think. Yes, you can make the music you hear on the radio and in film. You just may no know it yet.
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What is your best tip for those who struggle with finishing their tracks?
More than likely you didn’t have a direction for the track anyway. Here’s some taboo advice, plan out what kind of track you’re going to make before you make it. I know it sounds counter productive but trust me. It works everytime.
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We meet again in one year. What has changed?
My name will be attached to an album released on a major label. I’ll have another title to my name and making even better music.
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http://www.soundcloud.com/HanzNobe
http://www.facebook.com/MrHanzNobe
http://www.twitter.com/HanzNobe
http://www.youtube.com/HanzNobe
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Enter your questions to the artist in the facebook comment section below.
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