Exposed Vocals Interviews Ferione
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Ferione: As propably with most artists, youth was crap. Bullied at school, argues at home, it was quite a lonesome time. So you learn to entertain yourself with the limited resources you have. Though i had a troublesome past i found out i was remarkable joyful and entertaining according to others and was able to express myself at best with music.
So i test out several instruments like guitar, drums, keyboard (thanks school!) and it statisfied me. Being able to do something i was good at and could distract me from all my troubles.
As always this was hobby but as time pass and i got a few personal succes stories i went on to achieve bigger goals. And one of them is what i am now, full time artist.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Ferione: To be honest, it came out of nowhere. I thought later about a definition because so many people asked. And at the moment i stick to the thought that it sounds like ‘Very own’ if you pronounce it. Close to your heart, true to yourself, that kind of mindset.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Ferione: I think online music sharing is the way to go. Artist careers exists entirely upon sharing so anything that contributes to that i consider valuable. So i do give away music for free.
Fans want to be straight into that catchy melody or vocal thus i release those parts of the song for free. So actually all my releases are partially free.
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?
Ferione: Yes for sure! Here is my top 3:
1. Social media is everything for a start-up so base every marketing action on that.
2. Promotion channels are your best friend, they always seek new music!
3. My own youtube channel where i talk about artist related topics so promotion is definitively a big part of that as well.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Ferione: I am not a DJ so i don’t get often in that kind of situations. But as producer you can make mistakes too and my advice is to stay calm, drop it for today and come back at it tomorrow. The best solutions always happen after a good night of sleep.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Ferione: I do not tour but i have friends that tour and its fun to hear their stories. As producer-artist i get front of house as well backstage feedback which are totally different from each other but equally valuable to become an all-round producer-artist.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Ferione: Hard to tell but a guardian of mine once said: ‘Humor is the highest form of intelligence’. So if you look at an topic with humor you will always gather inspiration for songwriting.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Ferione: Yes i have.
Website: http://firespacerecordings.com/demos/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ferioneprep
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FerioneOfficial
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ferione-1
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3DTWdt655zY8xCUn44B-TwCollabs: Blend.io
- Also i hang out at the Future Producers forum and KVR Audio forum on occasion.
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Ferione: Vengaboys for sure! Perhaps some classics i grew up with like Gigi D’agostino, Europe and Cher.
I just dont think these are embarrasing songs whatsoever. You will be surprised how often artists go back to these kind of songs for inspiration. They stick in the head, are easy to sing or hum and you remember them for a lifetime!
I believe thats the magic all artists look for big or small in every song again.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Ferione: I would like to help agriculture villages in asia with low tech solutions that improve their basic needs. Especially after my trip to there i realize how lucky i am to live in the Netherlands. There should the half million dollars and one year of my time go to haha!
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Ferione: My most recent purchase is a studio headphone. The Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro 250 Ohm studio headphone to be precise.
My current set up:
– PC (CPU AMD FX 4300, RAM 8 GB of DDR4, SSD 256 GB, HDD 1 TB)
– Midi tech Midi keyboard 49 keys
– USB external soundcard Focusrite 2i2
– Pair of KRK VXT 8
– Maschine studio
– Studio microphone AKG Perception 120
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Ferione: Actually its quite simple. I google on the words ‘Music promotion’ and then check everything. Of course bots and such are out of the question so you basically end up with promotion channels and fans that share your music with their network. Personally i think genuine promotion in any form is the best way to go in the long run.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Ferione: Okay lets start with the location. I have several wishes. On a cliff, like a fjord in Scandinavia, Machu Piccu in Peru, The great wall of China, and drivable stage like in a truck!
As for the artists, thats a very long list but to name a few:
Armin van Buuren, ATB, Robert Miles, PPK, Darude, Daft Punk, the producers behind Vengaboys, the producers behind team Tiesto 1997 – 2009, Robin Schulz.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Ferione: Well yes, with Capraise i am working on a bootleg from Bjork. I can’t tell much yet but its something highly experimental, for both him and me haha!
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Ferione: Propably residing in a coffin. Sounds dark but for me music has saved my life. Bascially it gave me a goal to strive for and thats all what a man needs right :)?
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Ferione: For my 6th birthday i got an album from the Cartoons. Okay i didn’t bought it but it is my first album in my life. There is a funny story behind it though.
I heard it once on the radio and it was a big hassle to find it online at that time (1998) but we managed it. My dad went to the local department store asking for the album but there was nothing left. However the store guy did not want to dissapoint my dad so he went backstage checking and 30 minutes later he found the really last copy of the album!
This story did so much with me, that 17 years later i remember it like it was yesterday haha!
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Ferione: Good question and i honestly do not know exactly how i can manage it myself sometimes. I benefit from a strong desire for organisation thus learning techniques that saves me time or make me more effective in my tasks. In three words: ‘Learn to multi-task’.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
Ferione: A lot more videoes at my Youtube channel. I notice there are a lot of questions about producer-artist related topics. Surprisingly enough there is no Youtube channel i know of thats entirely or for the most part dedicated to those subjects. So, i will jump in and see how it goes :)!
Of course i am open for topic suggestions so head over to my Youtube channel and let me know!