Exposed Vocals Interviews Wasmaname
My name is Dave, I specialize in White Boy Nonsense. I represent the lgBt community and the every day Midwestern American. I believe in a world where we find enough catharsis in our art to end violence and racism across the globe. I won’t stop until wack rappers quit, and politicians spread messages of love FIRST. I am an actor, director, and writer with a BFA from Western Michigan University.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Wasmaname: I grew up in Michigan, I’m from Ann Arbor. I started acting and writing music when I was about 15 and after going through actor training in Kalamazoo I moved to Chicago and began releasing my music with Garageband and a Yeti Blue I bought during the move. I make different kinds of music predominantly punk-rap and chill-hop. I am one half of musical duo Starbudz along with my producer and best friend BobbyBluntz of metro-Detroit.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Wasmaname: It’s like “What’s my name!” like, what you say when you’re good at something. I’m good at rapping so.. Wasmaname?
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Wasmaname: I am currently a completely not-for-profit artist. I make music and release it for free. Hopefully there will be money to be made when people start recognizing me and my namesake. Until then, I make music for my benefit and the listener’s.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Wasmaname: Shit homie, I need some tips for those things! I’m an independent self-produced artist and the only thing I can pass-on is work hard as fuck and show them what you’re made of. If they’re meant to listen, they will listen. If you’re meant to make a living on it, you will live on it. I currently make most of my income working in theatre/film. Lyricism is my passion.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Wasmaname: When I hear a beat, I can usually hear my vocal track in my head over top of it. Then I write lyrics to fit the patterns in my head and don’t stop till the track’s killed.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Wasmaname: I’m most active on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, and Facebook. You can also find my music on NumberOne Music, DarwinBeats, AsheqMusic, and Twine.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Wasmaname: I would donate 100k to Planned Parenthood, pay my debts/taxes, make my best-produced album yet and smoke 12 pounds of weed (1lb/mo) — all love!
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Wasmaname: I promote via Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, Soundcloud groups, and by asking folks I know to spread the word. I could certainly use my vocals exposed!! 😉
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Wasmaname: Here is a list of my upcoming stuff:
UPCOMING RELEASES:
Sharp Things EP out 2/29/16
The Indica Sampler out 3/15/16
White Boy Nonsense Mixtape out 4/1/16
Chronicalized out 4/20/16
Space Is Limited out July 2016
I drop new freestyles and remixes all the time though so just stay closely tuned to the soundcloud.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Wasmaname: Running a dispensary.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Wasmaname: A full-time artist is always busy and always broke, but I find ways to stay on top of the bills by working as a theatre artist.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
Wasmaname: I’m just gonna paste this again:
UPCOMING RELEASES:
Sharp Things EP out 2/29/16
The Indica Sampler out 3/15/16
White Boy Nonsense Mixtape out 4/1/16
Chronicalized out 4/20/16
Space Is Limited out July 2016
ALL LOVE!!