Exposed Vocals Interviews YVNGTECH
New Orleans is known for it’s resiliency through adversity. With a history of floods, poverty, and an extremely high murder rate, the city has maintained an unique taste for food, music, and fashion. Seventeen ward born, West Bank raised, Joshua “Yung Tech” Ard has experienced his share of obstacles and is set to make his mark in New Orleans’ rich musical history. Growing up in Marrero, home of MC Thick, Tech grew up in a small apartment with his mom, dad and two brothers. In his confined bedroom, Tech recorded his first song on a cassette recorder, which had a microphone. At the time, his Uncle who lived on the east coast introduced him to KRS One’s album “Criminal Minded.” At age fifteen, Tech received his first real piece of equipment, MPC 2500, where he made his first beat. During that time, Cash Money was the hottest label in New Orleans and Mannie Fresh was behind all of the beats. Drawn to Mannie’s use of horns and kango drums, Tech reminisced of the New Orleans’ sound. Among the many others who inspired him – Ski Beatz, Biggie, Rocafella, and No Limit, Mannie Fresh was one of Tech’s biggest influences. Although beatmaking was his first drive, freestyling became his passion which later transitioned to his beatmaking process.
After Katrina ravaged New Orleans, his family decided to relocate. Both, his mom and dad, decided not to move to Texas with other family members; instead, stay in Louisiana and start over in Monroe. The catastrophe of Katrina left Tech with ill-feelings towards making music again. 2008 brought on more setbacks when Yung Tech was imprisoned for armed robbery which carried a seven-year sentence. Fortunately, Tech only had to do three years and three years probation. Tech’s Big Brother ignited the fire for him to get back to the music. He started his own label and needed tracks for some upcoming projects. Tech made a track and from there, his passion was restarted. Since then, Tech has made tracks for Gospel, Hip-Hop, R&B, and Pop artists’. His sound has been described as Southern Soul and Hip hop mixed with a pinch of trap street music. Now he is pursuing his well anticipated rap career to the fullest.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
YVNGTECH: I was born and raised in New Orleans, La to a single mother before she married my dad(non-biological). My mother was a church going person so music was always gonna be a passion of me and my two other siblings, which are artist themselves. We traveled and moved a lot during my upbringing in New Orleans which gave me many outlets and valuable information on our culture as a people. What really got me wanting to be involved with music is basically that my family is musically inclined. We are full of musicians lol but my Uncle Romalis was the reason I chose to do music I’m the first place. Be was our family’s Tupac.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
YVNGTECH: As abnormal as it may be, it’s actually comical yet intellectual. The name itself has a 5 year history behind it. To be blunt, my name, THIS name was given to me during my incarceration. I’ve always been a lover of technology alongside of music so anything technical was a walk in the park. From computers, phones, servers all the way up to hacking and setting up websites, I’ve been “The Nerd” out of my 2 other siblings. While serving time, I would make shift items such as radio speakers with foam cups and headphones, lighters with batteries and razors, etc. So I was donned “TECH”. I decided to add the YVNG after my release and purposely used the letter V to throw ppl off, which also added to the mystery
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
YVNGTECH: Being an indie artist, one has to realize that sometimes to get your foot in the door you have to give away music. When online music sharing was invented, we didn’t need big corporations or government funding anymore. We had all the tools at our disposal in our living rooms lol.
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?
YVNGTECH: My biggest advice is to network and invest in your career. These industry super powers will not look your way once if they see talent but no potential, business plan, or vision. This goes one and one with airplay and scoring gigs. Talent shows, open mics, collaborations are very good tools. I look at those as opportunity advances. A down payment on your big break.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
YVNGTECH: For me it’s more of personal experiences. I have a very constructive mindset so each project is like a life threatening process, every word, musical note, and recording has to have that passion. You wouldn’t want a song that doesn’t touch someone would you?
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
YVNGTECH: My band website is reverbnation.com/
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
YVNGTECH: Invest, Invest, Invest. Buid towards something that’s gonna be here for years to come
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
YVNGTECH: Self promotion works best for me but every now and then I get with a street team to promote my brand as well
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
YVNGTECH: Oh man I’m glad you asked this question. I’ve been working with a variety of different artist but my main focus right now is my good friend and vocalist Shani Paul ( her single that I produced is really becoming known throughout Lafayette, LA). I’ve also been collaborating with my guy C Toma from New York on his EP. Others include Johnny Beans, Until The Very End, Shawn G, Britton Satcher, LME, and many more. The notables.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
YVNGTECH: Probably dead bro. I grew up rough but decided to change. Now I speak to youth groups and different correctional facilities about choices and mistakes and how to not let them define you.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
YVNGTECH: My biggest responsibility is getting my family to where they don’t need for anything. You keep them in your life and stay consistent as a parent while Co-Parenting and I promise life would reward you beyond any measure.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
YVNGTECH: Major Moves from Teflon Revolution Music Group