We caught up with the brilliant and insightful James October a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
James, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on has been the continuous collaboration with the artist Ben Ellis. I produce for a lot of different artists and genres in LA, but Ben really stands out for his diligence and dedication to his artistry. I’ve had the pleasure of being a consistent producer and writer with him, and because of that, our collaboration grows stronger and stronger with time.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’ve been working in LA as a writer and producer for over three years. Before that, I studied electronic music production at Berklee College of Music in Boston. With the knowledge from school along with my time in LA, I bring an expertise to song creation that has helped me and my clientele grow in credibility. One big aspect of my work is I do not restrain myself to specific genres or writing styles. I truly enjoy every kind of contemporary music and will strive to make the best possible product every time.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is collaboration. Without my peers, I would not feel stretched or challenged, which is so important to growing as an artist. Every person has their own palette of taste, preference, and approach. Being open to the subjectivity of art can be a launchpad into your best work.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn the idea that quantity was the key to success. I think it differs per person, but stretching oneself too thin in regards to projects can really make the art and the artist suffer. For the first three years of living here, I was open to every project that came my way. This led to poor time management, as well as projects I didn’t want to work on being at the top of my to-do list. After learning to work hard, learning to say no is under appreciated.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Cheston Uy