Q: Hey, can you tell us a bit about where you come from, and what made you want to start a career in music?
A: I’m from Laguna Beach, California. I’ve always needed a creative outlet growing up, and I eventually found and settled on music production in early high school. I’ve been songwriting on the piano since I was very little, and music production really convinced me that music would be my muse.
Q: And what other artists have you found yourself listening to lately?
A: Lately I’ve been listening to Erika de Casier, Mary J Blige, Depeche Mode, Nick Hakim, and lots of detroit techno.
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences, and why the name ‘IDN’?
A: When I was starting, I could directly say Flume and Tyler, the Creator were my biggest influences. My inspirations now come from many more sources. IDN is just Iden, without the E! I’m thinking of going back to Iden one day. Who knows, who cares?
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘Vision’. Is there a story behind it?
A: Vision is the first single after my extensive foray into detroit techno and 90’s UK rave. I’m continually inspired by the sounds of these musical eras and wanted to infuse them with my pop/r&b sensibilities, to make something catchy enough to replay over and over and unique enough to want to replay over and over! Vision is first about wanting a relationship even if it’s hard to see, and later turns into focusing on the self, happiness, and questioning this monolith of importance so many of us call a relationship.
Q: Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?
A: Definitely – I’m always making music, recording vocals, etc. Maybe not this year, but I am already lining up songs for an EP/LP release early next year. Something more rave/techno inspired, like Vision, less like Kaleidoscope.
Q: What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
A: I think listeners should just keep listening to my music and Vision. I guarantee you will still hear new things after your 10th listen. I’m proud of how much detail and conscious thought goes into my music. Every instrument and sound is living, morphing over time, and my vocals should sit and flow through the instrumental like butter. My sound is eclectic – I make indie rock, hyperpop, UK garage-house, trap, alt R&B/Pop, soul, grunge, and more. I love being unconstricted in music so that I may keep creating whatever I want. I would describe Vision as a hypnotic, multi-dimensional, multi-genre journey that transforms from dreamy alt R&B to uptempo UK garage pop.
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
A: No. I think I have to be ready for the idea that I could die and be completely unsuccessful with my music. I just hope that one day, enough people listen for me to leave some legacy here. It is hard to keep creating, releasing, and not seeing any fruits of your labor. It can be tiring and demotivating, and besides curators/influencers on paid platforms like Musosoup, PlaylistPush, etc., I barely see any growth on my music/socials. The act of creating music, however, is the most fulfilling thing in my life.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: It varies every time, otherwise I feel like my process gets stale. Sometimes I start with drums, other times a sample, melody, chords, even lyrics. I usually treat my first session like a jam with myself – adding instruments, layers, and samples to fill out the song. I jam until I feel we’re at the climax of the song, then I start to arrange the tracks out.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: In my music career, I think it’s now. I just recently moved to LA and having little to no connections in a big city can be daunting at first. I only want my music’s exposure, so that I can do my audio/visual shows, keep creating music, design/make my own merch, etc. To be at this point in my music career after putting in the amount of effort I do is disheartening, however I will not stop. I believe in the music too much, and if not for anyone else, I’m making my songs for me.
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: Every time I release something is an amazing feeling. My live show in Boston might be my most proud moment of my music career so far. I controlled my audio, psychedelic visuals, and performed live, so I really gave it everything I had. The show just gave me a taste of what I could do and become for future live shows. Very exciting stuff! Thanks for the interview.