Exposed Vocals just caught an exclusive interview with Symphonic

“Born and bred in the heart of Motown, Symphonic is a blend of modern day hip-hop, urban pop and 90’s R&B melody. Symphonic identifies as openly gay and looks to change the idea of what popular hip-hop sounds and looks like. After relocating to Denver, Colorado, Symphonic released his second full-length project, No Rest for the Weary on SoundCloud which includes the single “RearView” featuring The Fader acknowledged rapper Zé and has amassed well over 17,000 plays in short order.”

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

Symphonic:  Story time, story time. Well, to begin, I was born in Detroit and ended up spending much of my adolescence growing up in Louisville, Kentucky. Unforeseen circumstances led my family back to Detroit in 2010 when I was 15, and now I reside in Denver, where I’ve been for a little over a year now. My artistry is something that I’ve actually always struggled with. I can go all the way back to elementary school, and beating on the desks to make beats and drumming with pencils. I started rapping in 2011, but only personally. It took me about a year to release music openly with everybody. Talent is something that is a gift only a select few are born with, and I guess it took me some time to really hone that and make it my own.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

Symphonic:  The name Symphonic really came to me in passing. I didn’t want to go by my nickname Daz for there is already Daz Dillinger and cutting down on confusion is always best. I guess generally, I tend to treat my music as a symphony. Hearing every element and piecing them together in just the right way, to give the listener a full-bodied experience.

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

Symphonic:  I wouldn’t be in the space of my life right now, if it wasn’t for the widespread exposure the internet provides. As a person who is completely obsessed with 90’s music culture, it really shows how much work was put into the marketing and promotion of an artist. There were no Twitter blasts or Instagram shout-outs, so it really is a testament to the times. I went from having an incomplete verse in my latest project, to recording the verse 20 minutes before the release. 20 years ago, this would’ve been unheard of. As an artist who is currently only budding, the only way I see my music is free. I would never ask of someone to spend money on my music, when there are times currently that I don’t even know my music. Of course there will be a time and a place, but as of right now, I’m strictly focusing on building my name and my brand, and I can’t put a price on that.

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?

Symphonic:  Well, please take all of this with a grain of salt as I’m only scratching the surface in my career right now. So, this advice will be both for me and the reader. In my opinion, the most important and often overlooked step is being comfortable with who you are and the music you’re making. In a world of over saturation and shortened attention spans, people are easily able to spot out un-originality and lack of authenticity. Music listeners, much like all of us, find the artist we enjoy and we latch on. We want to be able to relate to them and have them tell our own stories in ways that we can’t. We live vicariously through music, in a way. So, beyond all of the financial and marketing logistics, be authentic and unwavering to who you are. Once that happens, every door, or opportunity presented to you, will fall into place without any second thought. Sorry for the novel!

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

Symphonic:  Shocker, but I’ve never performed any of my music live before! I know, I know. It’s a work in progress!

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

Symphonic:  Again, no I haven’t but once I do get out onto the road, I’ll be sure to detail every crazy moment and keep a record!

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?  

Symphonic:  Songwriting comes as a natural process. I tend to be beat driven as opposed to lyric driven, if that makes sense? Every song I’ve ever made comes from how the instrumentation makes me feel. In the example of my song “RearView”, I had just finished smoking a joint and the way the soundscape in the beat was hitting me, I started humming the opening melody to the hook. As far as technical process, much like I said, I’ll hum out the original melody and I’ll write my words around that. My iPhone voice memos will tell the entire story!

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

Symphonic:  I’ve been strictly SoundCloud for about 3 years now. I used to keep my music on Bandcamp, but SoundCloud has become increasingly beneficial to the success of musicians these days. I promote my music through all of my social media outlets. @iamsymphonic is my handle, pretty much everywhere.

Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?

Symphonic:  Eh. I don’t look at any music as really “embarrassing”. Clearly it made me feel a specific way, which is the job of music, you know?

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?  

Symphonic:  Beyond accelerating my career, which is above everything, I’d satiate my car addiction certainly. I’d probably purchase another BMW, go travel abroad, etc. Typical things you’d do in your early twenties, I’d say.

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

 

Symphonic:  If I’m not booking studio time, which is pretty much rare for me, I’m utilizing my home set up. I currently use a Sterling Audio ST51 microphone, paired with a Focusrite Scarlett Solo interface. My DAW is absolutely Mixcraft. That’s all I’ve used since I started learning how to record myself and mix a vocal. No upgrades planned for now.

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

Symphonic:  I just enjoy networking and connecting with people. Definitely pushing my music out to as many listening ears as possible. Word of mouth is big for me as well. Speaking with Uber drivers, waiters, anyone I’m coming in contact with and sharing my link with them.

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

Symphonic: Currently, no one. And I only say that from a place of inexperience. What would I look like sharing the stage with Rihanna or Beyonce and never had performed a single thing in my life? I can’t disappoint my idols like that. No way, no how.

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

Symphonic: What’s next for Symphonic? I am most certainly working on another project that I am readying for summer. Gotta have the summer on lock, right? Expanding my name and my brand, opening up my ears to new genres and staying true to who I am and what I do. I plan on shooting the music video to “RearView”, my song I have with Ze, extremely soon. You know? Just taking things a day at a time, and letting God guide me.

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

Symphonic: I would most likely be working in the car industry. My love for cars is something that runs extremely deep.

Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?  

Symphonic: Thinking all the way back, the first album that my mother purchased for me was ‘Nellyville’ by Nelly. Even being in the third grade, I knew something was special about that moment. From the fresh melodies, to the sheer success it was not only for him, but for hip-hop. It was a great time. And as far as spending my own money? I want to say it was Future’s ‘Pluto’ album. That guy there. He is definitely one of my biggest inspirations, creatively.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?  

Symphonic: It does weigh on me a bit. Especially not being in a spot right now to fully support myself from my work. Typical story, you know? I work a 9 to5, I pay bills and I take care of my responsibilities as any adult should. I think that is also why I’ve been so independent as far as recording my music and mixing  my music on my own accord. The tunnel vision I have towards my ultimate career goals is monstrous.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2017?  

Symphonic: My fans should expect to see the true artist in me this year blossom. I’m taking the reins of everything involving my music. From my image, to what I write about, to how I market and invest in myself. This is the year I take myself from rapper to all out entertainer. To me, it’s all about progression and building upon what I already have to get me to where I deserve to be.