December 28 2017

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

I grew up in Illinois, and music has just kind of always been a huge part of my life, but I guess what really made my decision was just last year. I was going through a hard time, and music is kind of what helped me through everything. It was then that I decided that I want my music to help someone through something, that’s all I really want from producing.

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?

Considering I, myself, am very much unknown, I’d be speaking with advice to me and advice I’ve been following. Stick with making music true to who you are, be original, and try not to copy others because that’s not how you get big. Speaking of, don’t focus on getting ‘big’ and ‘known,’ focus on doing what makes you happy. If you stick with it long enough, people will find your music and you will attract your very own crowd, and you’ll be unique and stand out. Don’t give up, the odds are against every single producer, not just you.

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

I only DJ parties, but yeah, the last one I messed up quite a bit, but honestly it’s not a crazy big deal considering people are usually drunk at parties and don’t really notice haha.

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

No, unfortunately I don’t. It’s a dream of mine that I one day plan on accomplishing

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?

Currently I have a set of JBL 308’s, I produce using Logic Pro X, use Serato for DJing on my Pioneer DDJ-SX2. I have a pretty standard mic, and I love my electric guitar, and for upgrades, I plan on getting a new guitar soon.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

Honestly I’m still playing around with music promotion, currently, remix competitions have given me the most exposure, along with blog features and reposts by bigger names.

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?

Oh man, this ones easy. Illenium, hands down. When I mentioned earlier that music helped me through a rough time, I was talking about Illenium’s music. It’s unreal how his music makes me feel.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

I recently finished a new song, Falling, and it’s up on Spotify, iTunes, and more! At the time, I thought it was my best, but this past few weeks I’ve been working on a new song and it’s honestly amazing, everything from the guitar to the beautiful and melodic drop, I can’t wait to release it for the world to hear.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

I’m currently enrolled at a university for engineering, so if I wasn’t doing music my life wouldn’t be crazy different, I’d just have nothing to do with my free time. I’m crazy passionate for music though so I honestly don’t know

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in the next year or so?

I predict in the next year I’m going to have some of the best music I’ve ever released, and I truly cannot wait to see how this next year treats me. I think since I’m a small, unknown artist, it’s very interesting to see what kind of fans I pull in and how they interact with me, and what songs of mine are their favorite.

Exposed Vocals: Any Shout-outs?

Check out my new single!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/10fnQQ65YyA7V02rfdAhAO
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/markhacz/falling-ft-kayla-la-manna
And again, big shoutout to Illenium for being the reason I’m even producing. Doubtful but if you’re reading this, thank you man, keep doing what you’re doing, your music affects people in ways you don’t even know.