Create tracks: Idea to Song

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: I am very proud of all the personal projects that I am doing as Whan. I have been in the background for years whilst the urge to perform never left. I am working to improve my socials on instagram on whan_n1 to brand myself and I am working on singles to release them independently or as a joint venture with companies or entities. The amount of work that goes into maintaining the quality is a lot and I enjoy every second of this. My personal journey also helps me to produce and write for others because I am in a constant, dynamic flow of creativity!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Own repertoire, business ventures where I can push my singles through. I can't say too much about my own projects because of personal secrets but I'd be happy to chat about it if you have questions. I am also working on several artists who's management approached me after seeing my independent work in the spotlights but mostly behind the scenes. I also am working on 1 TV show and 1 Series, I am a segment- host on the TV show and a writer and composer for the series, the latter is still in the prospecting phase. I am also organizing an event(can't name it as of yet)

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: Dani-l-Mebius! He introduced me to soundbetter!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. Because there are advantages and disadvantages to both and the market doesn't really care.

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: I deliver to the best of my abilities and I won't stop until you are satisfied! Sidenote: This, of course is a promise that is pretty generic, but if for some reason the song we are working on does not come out well or the communication isn't right or something is wrong, I am open to every conversation to work things out and start from scratch if needed.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: E V E R Y T H I N G. I LOVE what I do and I am grateful to be in the position where I can learn people what I have learned as well!

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: How much do you cost and can I get a discount? I don't do discounts but I do project fee's depending if there is room for negotiation

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: That I am arrogant. This is absolutely NOT true, I am confident yes but you have to be in the music industry right? And I want to help anyone I can help when it comes to their craft. I have build my experience from self-education, no one has stretched out their hands to me to help me, my ideas were stolen, I got swindled out of deals and money all for the love of music and me believing in the best of people. I am a lot of things, but not arrogant. (Or am I being arrogant about not being arrogant now... hmmm)

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What do you expect of me? - This way I can gauge where I stand in our dynamic What kind of music do you make? - I can take a listen to your portfolio and understand your branding. What kind of music do you actually want to make? - In all my years there is not a single artist that has a secret desire to make music that is the complete opposite or in another genre that's not the genre they are focussing their current creativity on. If I know what you actually listen to, this might inspire me to give the song that we are making an innovative twist. What kind of music do you listen to? - This tells a lot about a person. Are their particular situations you have gone through/are going through? - This can serve as inspiration for the song we are about to make or maybe even inspire me to do more with just a song.

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Trust me. I want to deliver the best work I can for you in the time span that you give me. If it's a personal project I want to make sure the best version of you is on the song that we make, if it is for an assignment I want the experience to be as pleasant and efficient as possible.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: Laptop, Sound interface, Microphone, External HD for my samples and a Wifi amplifier so I can send out the songs. If a wi-fi amplifier isn't allowed then maybe a small midi-keyboard.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: As a young kid of 11 (30 now) I started producing in a native-carribean style called bubbling which is now known as the contemporary RnB-syle: Afrobeats.This 'Afro rhythm' lies in my roots and songs like these are easy for me to pull off. From bubbling I started moving from Acid pro and Fruity loops to other software like reason and I moved on to making hip-hop. Ranging from boom-bap to club music. As I started to work with more singers who couldn't write lyrics I was taught myself to sing so I could write for singers. The first ever season of 'The Voice' was in Holland with 'The Voice Of Holland'. I have coached, written and produced for the first singing duo in 'The Voice' Davy and Joshua Newton who made it to the live shows. From there, pop-music evolved from gangster rap and hiphop club anthems to EDM. I moved from one studio to another and suddenly I was surrounded with DJ's who wanted singers and writers so I started writing and toplining for EDM Dj's using my hiphop/rnb/pop background which we built so far. At this point me and my partner at the time were known as the producers, writers and engineers who had their roots in hiphop but could pretty much adapt to the genre they were asked for. We did covers and we vocal-produced and coached a song for a Dutch singer and the known Rapper French Montana for Lose Control. This song became a number one hit in Holland and a club smash as well, this went on into Belgium and just over the border of Germany. Unfortunately we fell for the 'promise of a manager' trap and we decided to distance ourselves from royalties and credits in return for placements with A-listers, which of course never came. In the meanwhile I have been working on perfecting my production skills in neo-soul hiphop for and pop. The influence can be heard on the following EP: Massimo's Pigeon. I got signed to Warner/Chappell as a producer/songwriter. During that time I released songs on Spinning Records, STMPED, Universal, Sony, Metanoia Music, 8ball(One of the Majors on Holland). Also during this time I expanded my ever evolving skill-tree of production into Dutch Folk Music in which I released a track in as well. I did an 3 of the 5 songs for an artist called Kaj van der Voort. He went solo after leaving one of the most popular boybands in Holland: b-brave. I also released an own single called: 'Toch Niet Samen' With singer Sarah Kienstra. This song was a collaboration with various companies and I released it as an independent artist. This made me earn my rent with the royalties I was and still am receiving . This year I released a song with my own DJ side project One To Watch called 'Superstars' this just broke a million streams on soundcloud and is heading to 400.000 on Spotify as well.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Contemporary.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: Ryan Tedder. He has written and produced hits in so many styles without losing himself. I would really want to pick his brain as to see how he does that for years! The goes for Max Martin and his team.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Listen

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: Contemporary pop. With my 15 years experience I have been producing in prominent styles of pop music which I can apply through every cycle of dominant style I can apply my experience to.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Listening to what the client wants and adepting to its situation.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I can bring innovation withing contemporary sound. Coversation to open up different sides to an artist; A side you already know you have or a side which you perhaps want to explore but couldn't for whatever reasons.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I usually would want to chat with the client if they are open to it and ask them questions about the projects and about themselves. This information I will use in the production or songwriting. I will draw up a few drafts so the artist is involved in the direction his/her/their song is going to be in. After the

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I always travel and have my element 24 with my trusted AKG C414 mic with me. I also have an Avalon compressor and I am looking into a lunchbox so I can travel with pre-amps with me.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: Kings of Leon Kanye West Armin Van Buuren Max Martin Ryan Tedder Ryan Leslie Dr. Dre Jimmy Iovine Richard Brandson

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: Production, vocal coaching, toplining and mixing. Between it all me and the artist or team are talking about their personal aspirations and plans. This helps me to gauge where the artists and his/her/their management stand so I can produce, write and coach accordingly.